Stop and Smell the Candy Canes

Because the magic your kids remember won’t come from a perfect holiday—it’ll come from five minutes when you were all theirs.


The holidays are a magical mix of joy, chaos, and a never-ending to-do list. Between wrapping presents, baking cookies, and managing calendars and meltdowns, it’s easy to feel like you’re just trying to survive until school starts again.

But here’s your reminder: the best gift you can give your kids this season isn’t wrapped—it’s you.

Mother and daughter smiling and hugging in front of a Christmas tree — joyful moment of holiday connection and presence.

TL;DR

You don’t need more time, money, or perfectly iced cookies. Five minutes of genuine presence can create the kind of magic they’ll actually remember.

Make a Moment

Take just five minutes. For each of your kids.

Five minutes to put your phone down.
Five minutes to tune out the holiday noise.
Five minutes to really listen.

Sit with your little one while they tell you about their latest glitter-glued masterpiece. Ask your teenager how their day went—and then actually wait for the answer. Laugh about something silly. Just be there.

It’s tempting to make excuses:

They’re on their phone, so I might as well check mine.
They’d rather hang out with their friends than talk to me.

And sometimes that’s true. But here’s what’s also true: every time we glance at our phone mid-conversation, we send a message—this is more important than you. It stings to realize that, but it’s also empowering. Because we can change it.

[Face-Only Time]
You don’t have to toss your phone in a lake. Just put it in a drawer for five minutes and say, “Everyone I want to talk to is right here.” Those tiny shifts are what connection is made of.

Young child giving a surprise gift to her mom — expressing love through simple, heartfelt gestures during the holidays.

TL;DR

You don’t need to quit your phone—you just need five intentional, uninterrupted minutes. Those are the moments that build trust, closeness, and the magic of being seen.

Why It Works

Think of those five minutes as an investment.

Every time you pause and give your full attention, you’re sending the message:
You matter. I see you. I’m here for you.

For younger kids, that undivided attention creates safety and belonging.
For older kids, it signals that you’re still their safe space—even if they don’t say much in the moment.

The impact is real. It’s not about the length of the conversation; it’s about the quality of your presence. And in a season when everything can feel extra, this is your invitation to go back to basics.

Child tying shoelaces independently — small acts of growth made possible through consistent attention and connection.

TL;DR

Presence isn’t loud or flashy—but it’s lasting. And it tells your child exactly what they need to hear: You are worth my full attention.

Your MicroStep

Try this today: Look your child in the eye and say, “You have my full attention.” Then listen—whether it’s about their dream last night, their Christmas list, or who would win in a battle between Grogu and Baby Groot. That’s the moment they’ll remember.


Like what you're reading?

Grab my book, The MicroStep Method for the Overwhelmed Parent: Small Moments, Big Impact, for the entire collection of MicroSteps.

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