Chris: Why does your child seem to be more productive when you or another person is in the room? I have experienced this myself. My mother recognized that having another person nearby could help me stay focused and get things done. There is a term for this called body doubling. Basically, it means having another human being in your proximity while you are trying to complete something. That person does not necessarily need to tell you what to do or give you advice. Their presence itself can act as a grounding point or an anchor point that helps you stay on track. For me, having someone else in the environment can make it easier to remain productive and focused on what I am doing.