PARENTING for moms can feel like a whirlwind. Between school runs, snack demands, laundry mountains, and that weird noise coming from the dishwasher, it’s easy to let meaningful moments slip through the cracks.
The fact? In parenting, you don’t need grand vacations or Pinterest-perfect schedules to build deep connections with your kids. All you need are a few simple rituals—tiny habits that add warmth, rhythm, and love to your home. In this post, I share 7 boosters that worked for my wife and me—and we’re still reaping the rewards today..
1. Morning High-Fives or Hugs
Start the day with connection. Whether it’s a hug, a high-five, or that weird handshake only your family understands, these little rituals say, ‘I see you, I love you, and I’m glad you’re here.’ Kids might roll their eyes now, but years later, they’ll secretly miss that 7 a.m. bear hug or the slap-happy high-five before breakfast. It’s a small moment that plants big seeds of security and love—before anyone’s even had their coffee.
2. The 15-Minute Chat Rule
In parenting for moms, it’s easy to feel pulled in a thousand directions—but carving out just 15 minutes a day for uninterrupted conversation with your child is a game changer. No screens, no multitasking, just you and them.
Use the time to ask silly questions, share what made you laugh today, or dive into something they’re passionate about—whether it’s dinosaurs, or why broccoli is ‘suspicious.’ You’ll be amazed at how this tiny daily window turns into a doorway for trust, laughter, and big conversations that strengthen your bond.
3. Family Meal Traditions
Maybe it’s Tim Hortons Saturday, Wednesday evening pancakes, or Friday-night homemade pizza. It’s not about the food, it’s about the laughter around the table, the syrup on little noses, and the shared stories that come out between bites.
These rituals give your kids something to look forward to and create a sense of rhythm in family life. Years from now, they might forget the exact toppings on that pizza, but they’ll remember the feeling of belonging, the inside jokes, and how home always tasted like love.”
4. Bedtime Blessings
Before lights out, take a moment to pray, whisper words of affirmation, or simply say, “I’m so proud of who you’re becoming.” These quiet night time moments speak louder than we think. A shelf of storybooks is a life saver; one good, gracious reason I launched Harbeny Books.
I wrote ‘The Church Rat Brothers in Big Pussycat Trouble‘ nine years ago when I was still weighing the idea of launching a children’s books’ site. And talking about bonding, the story and the others I later wrote glued my son to me so much so that he told everyone in school ‘my dad is my best friend’. He’s fourteen now and we still went about together. You read. They listen.
5. Gratitude Jar
Keep a jar on the kitchen table where everyone can drop in little notes of gratitude during the week. Anything from ‘Thanks for helping with my homework’ to ‘I loved our walk today.’ On Sunday, gather around and read them aloud. You’ll laugh at the funny ones, get misty-eyed at the sweet ones, and realize how many good moments you might have otherwise missed. It’s like a weekly joy reset for the whole family.
In parenting for moms, this simple tradition not only nurtures gratitude in your children but also reminds you that the small moments really are the big ones.
6. The Yes Day (Sort Of)
Once a month, let your child plan a simple family activity (within reason—sorry, no trips to the moon). Maybe it’s a backyard picnic, a board game marathon, or building a blanket fort in the living room. Giving them this responsibility sparks creativity, builds confidence, and lets the whole family rally around their joy.
7. Saturday Morning Snuggle Time
No alarms. No plans. Just pajamas, blankets, and cuddles. Trust me, your kids won’t remember every outing—but they’ll remember how safe and loved they feel in your arms.
Parenting for moms. A truckload of challenges, chaos, and countless to-dos. But these small moments? They quietly become the glue that holds your family together.
Love, Dupe