“Moments That Matter: Rediscovering Family Connection in the Midst of Chaos”

Let's begin with a simple truth—one that often gets buried beneath school drop-offs, Teams meetings, and the mystery of 'what's for dinner?'.

Parenting is not a job. It’s a relationship.

And like any relationship, it thrives not on volume, but on presence.

Now, I know what you're thinking: “That's all very well, but I’ve barely had time to drink a hot cup of tea since 2009.”

Quite right. Life is busy—relentlessly so. We're juggling deadlines, groceries, emails, and the emotional wellbeing of small humans who seem to possess more opinions than years on the planet.

And somewhere in all that noise, a little voice inside whispers:

"Am I spending enough time with my children?"

"Are they getting the best of me—or just what’s left of me?"

If that voice feels familiar, I want to offer you something both hopeful and entirely realistic: connection doesn’t require extra time. It just asks for attention.

Reimagining ‘Dead Time’

We all have it. That in-between time. Waiting for the pasta to boil. Sitting in the car queue. Brushing teeth. Standing in a lift, wondering why lifts always smell slightly of pencils.

These moments are usually considered “dead time.” But I’d like to suggest that, in fact, they’re full of life. They’re invitations.

In those small, unscripted spaces—if we’re willing to look up from our phones, or even just breathe a little slower—we can plant seeds of connection that grow deeper roots than anything a family planner app could schedule.

It’s the Little Things

Connection doesn’t come in a box with a bow on top. It doesn’t require special equipment or glitter glue (though by all means, if glitter glue is your thing, go forth bravely).

It comes in the form of:

A question asked during the school run: “What made you laugh today?

A hand rested on a shoulder while you're loading the dishwasher.

A sincere “I missed you” after a long day.

A one-minute bedtime story about a flying biscuit named Gerald.

Children remember how we make them feel. And nothing says “you matter” quite like being truly seen—even just for 30 seconds between tasks.

The Myth of Balance

There’s a widely peddled idea that you must balance everything—work, home, relationships, personal growth, drinking enough water—and do so gracefully, preferably with a neutral-toned wardrobe and no visible signs of panic.

It's rubbish!

Life is not about perfect balance. It’s more like jazz—improvisational, unpredictable, messy in the best way.

The key is to tune in. To notice. To be present enough in one note before jumping to the next. That’s where the music happens. And it’s where your relationship with your child happens too.

What Really Matters

Now, I don’t pretend this is easy. I know what it’s like to feel frayed at the edges, and doing 25 things at once... none of which are being done well.

But I also know this: you don’t need to be perfect to be deeply important in your child’s life.

What they need—what they remember—isn’t how often you took them on holiday or on a well planned day out. It isn't about how their mum had the nicest car or the best shoes. They remember if you listened. If you laughed. If they felt loved in the in-between.

So here’s the challenge:

Look for the “dead time.”

Fill it with something alive—curiosity, eye contact, shared silence, a bad joke.

Let go of the myth of having to “do more” and simply choose to be more present in what’s already there.

Your child doesn’t need a superhero. They just need you—showing up.

Because connection isn’t a luxury. It’s the heartbeat of family life. And it's never too late—or too early—to nurture it.

Even now. Especially now.