"One evening, after an endless day of work, I realised I barely remembered my child’s laugh from that morning."

Caught up in the daily hustle, I was physically there but emotionally disconnected. That’s when I knew something had to change.

As working parents, we juggle a lot. With deadlines, meetings, and the constant pressure to be everywhere, it’s easy to feel like we’re missing out on real connections with our families.

This feeling of not being truly connected to our children can leave us with a sense of guilt and longing to be more present. But I’ve learned that reconnecting doesn’t require grand gestures.

Instead, it’s about the small, intentional moments we create each day.

Here’s what helped me reconnect with my family amidst all the chaos:

• Device-Free Dinners: Committing to even one device-free meal each day allows everyone to be fully present. No emails, no notifications—just real conversations. It’s amazing how much laughter and connection can happen when we’re fully tuned in.

• Mini-Routines that Matter: Whether it’s a five-minute morning chat or a quick bedtime story, these consistent mini-routines offer predictable moments of closeness. It reminds our kids (and ourselves) that we’re truly there, even if life gets hectic.

• Weekly Family Check-Ins: Every Sunday, we sit down as a family and talk about the week, what was good, what was tough, and what we’re looking forward to. It’s become a simple but powerful way to feel connected and to understand each other’s worlds a little better.

"Connection isn’t about the amount of time; it’s about the quality of time."

Through these small actions, I’ve found that being a “present parent” doesn’t mean being perfect; it means making the most of the time we have, however brief.

These intentional steps help us stay connected, even when life gets busy.

Have you felt that sense of disconnect with your family?

Thiank about one small habit that helps you feel more connected, and let’s inspire each other to embrace present parenting.