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In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it can be easy to feel disconnected from our kids. Between work, school, and extracurricular activities, finding moments to bond can feel like a challenge. But staying connected doesn’t require grand gestures—just a few intentional actions each day can make a big difference in strengthening your relationship with your children.
If you are looking for resources on how to better your connection with your children, check out these books! Connected Parenting: How to Raise a Great Kid, The Whole-Brain Child, and Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children.
Here are five simple ways to connect with your kids every day:
1. Share a Meal Together
There’s something special about sitting down at the table and sharing a meal. Whether it’s breakfast, dinner, or even just an afternoon snack, taking the time to eat together allows for natural conversation and a moment to slow down. Use this time to ask your kids about their day or share something fun from your own. It’s a daily ritual that can foster connection. If you are unsure of what to ask your child, check out our post on 50 Things to Ask Your Child at the Dinner Table.
2. Create a Bedtime Routine
Bedtime is a great opportunity to connect with your kids. Whether it’s reading a story together, talking about what they’re excited for tomorrow, or just giving them a few extra snuggles, the quiet moments before sleep can help you bond. It’s a chance for them to feel safe, secure, and loved before they drift off to sleep. Plus, bedtime is a guarantee each day! By crafting your bedtime routine to include intentional time to connect you ensure that each day has that time carved into it.
3. Spend 10 Minutes of Uninterrupted Time
Give your child 10 minutes of your undivided attention. Put away your phone, turn off the TV, and spend time doing something they love—whether it’s playing a game, coloring, or just talking. These short bursts of focused attention show your child that they matter and that you’re fully present for them, even in the midst of a busy day.
Read our post about the miracle of the 10-Minute Reset here! Using this technique can be helpful not only to connect, but also as a way to help your child.
4. Get Active Together
Whether it’s going for a walk, playing catch in the yard, or having a dance party in the living room, being active together is a fun way to bond. Physical activity helps release stress for both you and your child, and it’s an opportunity to laugh, play, and enjoy each other’s company without distractions.
Create space for this each day by making it part of your routine! Maybe you take a walk every night after dinner. Or make it super simple and have a one-song dance party every night while brushing your teeth! These simple things are what your children will come to cherish and remember most.
5. Read Together
Reading is incredibly beneficial for people of all ages, particularly in developing children. Plus, it’s something that requires so little. Just a book! Have your child read to you (if able), take turns reading out loud, or even listen to an audiobook together. Make sure to talk about what you are reading and ask each other questions. Reading can bring up brand new ideas and worlds that you will then get to explore with your child. This can be for however long you want it to be each day. An added benefit to reading together is that it creates space to sit together physically.
If you have a child who dislikes reading, check out our post on 8 Books for Kids Who Dislike Reading and our post on Tips to Get Kids Excited to Read.
Final Thoughts
Connecting with your kids doesn’t have to be complicated. By incorporating these small yet meaningful actions into your daily routine, you can strengthen your relationship and create lasting memories. Remember, it’s the little moments that add up to a lifetime of connection!