The other day, I said to my boy, “Let’s put our phones down. I’d love to connect with you and have a conversation.”
What happened next floored me.
We sat down—no distractions, no notifications, just the two of us. What started as a casual chat quickly turned into one of the most profound conversations I’ve ever had with him. We talked about things that mattered—how he was really feeling, his fears, his dreams, and even things I hadn’t realised he’d been carrying. We both shared emotion, and it got deep. Really deep.
That moment changed something in both of us.
The Holidays: A Rare Gift
School holidays strip away so many of the usual distractions—no 6am alarms, no soccer training, no racing from one activity to the next. And while that can feel chaotic in its own way, it’s also an opportunity. A chance to pause, breathe, and do something incredibly important:
Connect.
And not just any connection. We’re talking about planned meaningful conversations and those beautiful, spontaneous moments that happen when you’re just available—face up, phone down, heart open.
Planned vs Unplanned: Why Both Matter
Ask yourself:
Are you choosing planned connection or planned meaningful conversations with your kids?
Yes, the dinner table is a perfect place for this—but it doesn’t end there. Planned connection looks like using a conversation starter from the Back at the Table tool. It’s setting aside time to cook a meal together using one of our recipes and then sharing how everyone’s really doing in the check-in.
Unplanned connection? That’s sitting on the trampoline with your daughter until the stars come out. It’s driving your son to the skate park and asking, “How’s your mental health lately?” It’s noticing the moment, leaning in, and making it matter.
But here’s the thing—none of that happens if we’re glued to our screens.
We have to go first. We have to show them how valuable they are by being fully present.
Practical Ways to Connect This Holiday
Here are some real, simple, no-fluff ideas to make this school holiday season count:
- Start a daily ‘check-in chat’ over breakfast, dinner, or even late-night Milo.
- Use the ‘Back at the Table’ app to spark conversations that go beyond “What did you do today?”
- Create tech-free zones or times—an hour a day where everyone, parents included, unplugs.
- Cook one meal together a week using our recipe collection—connection tastes better when you make it together.
- Plan a spontaneous adventure: a hike, a night swim, a sunset lookout—connection often comes alive when we break the routine.
- Let your kids choose the question from the conversation starters. You’ll be surprised what they’re ready to talk about.
You Don’t Get This Time Back
School holidays are a sacred pause. They’re a chance to reset, reconnect, and remind your kids that your relationship with them matters more than the scroll.
And who knows? Like me, you might just find yourself sitting across from your child, wiping away tears, overwhelmed by the depth of who they are and what they’re feeling.
So here’s the invitation:
👉 Jump into our private Facebook group and share how you’re going to connect with your kids these holidays.
What meaningful conversations are you hoping to have? What moment are you planning to pick up?
Let’s not waste this gift of time.
Let’s make connection the thing our kids remember most.
Because everybody has a voice at the table—and these holidays, it’s time to hear them.
