Written by the Progyny Editorial Team — September 2025.
For many working parents, it’s a challenge to find time to really connect with your kids. With work, daily responsibilities, and busy schedules for everyone in the family, it can be hard to spend quality time together.
Small moments of connection can go a long way, even during the busiest weeks.
Create mini rituals that matter
Shared rituals with your child can bring you together, even if they’re simple or quick. According to behavioral scientist Michael Norton in his book “The Ritual Effect,” rituals are small, repeated actions that carry emotional meaning.
Ritual ideas for moments of connection:
- Create a special handshake to use before school drop-off.
- Use a morning mantra like: “You’ve got this, and I love you.”
- Listen to a shared playlist during time together in the car.
- Share your day’s highs and lows during dinner or before bed.
- Read a bedtime story at night (you can use a video call when you need to!).
Take a moment to reflect on any rituals you already have with your family. Is there a way to make these moments of connection more intentional?
Use tech thoughtfully
Technology can help you stay close when you’re apart. Hearing your voice or getting messages from you can help your child feel safe and reassure them that you’re thinking about them.
A few ways to stay connected using technology:
- Send a quick video message for your child to see after school.
- Share a digital photo album to swap pictures.
- Keep a parent-child chat thread of inside jokes and emojis.
- Give your child a call on your commute home.
Just be sure to use technology with care! Use it in a balanced and thoughtful way that works for your family.
Protect holiday and weekend time
Make the most of your holiday time and days off together. But don’t stress! This doesn’t mean you have to plan something expensive or elaborate. Even an hour of undistracted time can go a long way. Try to put your phone away during your time together. It’ll set a great example for your child, too.
Just like daily rituals, your weekends can have regular, shared moments. Think Saturday morning pancakes or Sunday night boardgames. They’re easy to do and mean a lot.
Ask open-ended questions
Connecting over conversation means opening up emotionally and asking deeper questions. Ask open-ended questions that go beyond “How was your day?”
You can try:
- “What made you smile today?”
- “Was there a moment you felt really proud?”
- “If you could freeze time today, what moment would you pick?”
Give your own answers, too! When your child sees your vulnerable side, it can help them feel more connected with you.
Find what works for you
Think about how you can use these tips in your own life and choose one to start or continue this week. Your Progyny Care Advocate is here if you’d like to talk through more ideas for connecting, even during the busiest times.