Family Connection – Why It’s Important and Quick Ways to Build It
A Simple Question That Surprised Me
“What was your favorite part of the weekend?” I asked my 12-year-old last Sunday night.
“I loved our family picnic and bike ride.”
“Really?” I asked. “What about the birthday party you went to, or your soccer game?”
“Well, those were fun too. But I really liked our family bike ride.”
Not the answer I expected.
The Power of a Small, Simple Moment
It was barely an hour-long activity. We packed a few sandwiches and some snacks, biked to the park, threw down a blanket, had a quick picnic, and then biked home. We stopped at our local ice cream shop on the way back too—but still, it felt very uneventful. Dare I say... basic?
After hearing that this was her favorite part of the weekend, I was honestly a little embarrassed. I’d been distracted the whole time. I had a lot on my mind and definitely wasn’t very present—for my kids, my husband, or even myself.
But in retrospect, we all needed that time. My kids needed it. My husband needed it. Our family needed a few minutes to reconnect.
The Season of Burnout (And the Antidote)
It’s almost the end of the school year. Our schedule is packed. No one can remember who’s supposed to be where and when. Honestly? We’re all feeling a bit off. Blah. Burnt out. All of the above.
As my kids have gotten older, I’m incredibly grateful for the small things we did when they were little to build family connection. Because those tiny moments? They carry over. They grow into deeper bonds and unexpected closeness now.
I’m not an expert, by any means. Most of what we did was a little bit intentional and a whole lot accidental.
The Mini Adventure Mindset
One thing that’s made a huge difference in fostering connection with my kids—ever since they were babies—is taking a few minutes to do what I call a mini adventure.
It usually involves a short amount of time (of course, you can spend longer if you have it), and it includes three simple ingredients.
Sometimes we get so overwhelmed by the pressure to go on big adventures that we end up doing… nothing. Sometimes we forget that a simple, quick bike ride might be just what everyone needs.
3 Ingredients for a Family Mini Adventure
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Go outside – Fresh air and a change of scenery can work wonders.
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Pick a purposeful activity – Something that you and your kids enjoy.
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Be present – Put down your phone, pause the to-do list, and give your kids your full attention.
Tiny Moments, Lasting Impact
These small moments build special memories, create tiny points of connection, and lay a foundation that can hold your family together when life feels hard.