Parenting Resolutions: Small Acts, Big Impact
When it comes to parenting, it’s not the size of the gesture—it’s the heart behind it that leaves the biggest mark.
At the start of a new year, we tend to reflect on what’s working, what’s not, and how we want to grow. But while goals often focus on health, career, or routines, one area tends to get lost in the shuffle: relationships. Especially the ones right in front of us.
A recent New York Times article about making resolutions that nurture relationships struck a chord with me—as both a parent and a coach. Because when it comes to parenting, it's not the grand gestures that matter most. It's the small ones.
TL;DR
Forget the pressure to overhaul everything. Deep, lasting connection with your child is built through small, intentional moments—what I call MicroSteps.
Make a Moment
We often assume that creating strong relationships with our kids requires time we don’t have—family trips, surprise outings, complicated bonding activities. But the truth is: what children crave most is presence.
These are the small acts that carry big meaning:
– Making eye contact when they tell you a story
– Offering a hug when they walk through the door
– Pausing just long enough to say, “Tell me about your day”
Even two minutes of undivided attention can be the difference between a child feeling seen versus overlooked.
[Rewriting the Everyday]
I call these MicroSteps—tiny, intentional moments that, repeated over time, create powerful ripples. They don’t require a plan or an empty calendar. Just a willingness to pause.
TL;DR
Connection doesn’t come from more time. It comes from better moments. Even the tiniest pauses, done consistently, deepen your child’s sense of security.
Why It Works
In our busy lives, it’s easy to miss our child’s bids for attention. And when that happens often enough, they may start bidding less. The connection doesn’t disappear overnight—it just slowly fades into background noise.
Here’s a common trap:
Rather than . . .
“Hmm, hold on. I’m in the middle of something… maybe later.”
This distracted response might seem harmless, but over time, it tells your child: what you need isn’t important right now.
Try this instead:
“I would love to, and I see this matters to you. Right now isn’t a good time, but could we do it in an hour?”
This is still a “not now”—but it’s wrapped in validation and trust. You’ve turned toward your child, even when you couldn’t say yes in the moment. And when you follow through? That’s when connection sticks.
TL;DR
Even when you can’t say yes, acknowledging the ask and following up later creates trust. That’s how you stay connected—even in the chaos.
Your MicroStep
This week, try this: when your child makes a bid for your attention, turn toward them—even if you can’t give them what they want right then. Make eye contact, acknowledge the request, and follow up with a time. Just once. Then notice the difference.
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.