60 Seconds A Day Could Drastically Improve Your Relationship with Your Children
A mother’s parenting journey
Note: Names have been changed to protect the anonymity of the individuals involved in this story.
With her jam-packed schedule, Scarlett, a mother of three, unintentionally overlooked the rapid changes occurring in her youngest daughter, Luna.
She would often postpone quality time with Luna, thinking she would make up for it on a special day or weekend.
This is a common mistake many working parents make.
But through Scarlett’s story, we can learn how a mere 60 seconds a day can help build a deeper bond with our children.
Let’s delve into Scarlett’s parenting journey as a young mom and later as a working mom.
Scarlett as a young mom
As a young mom, Scarlett cherished bonding moments with her children. When they were babies, she would disconnect from everything, including her phone and TV, and focus on breastfeeding them.
It was a special time of connection, and she enjoyed every bit of it.
As her children grew older, she loved to feed her curiosity about them. She could spend hours watching them play and interact with the world around them.
These were blissful moments for Scarlett. But as her children grew, Scarlett’s work hours increased as well.
Scarlett as a working mom
Before she realized it, Scarlett now led a hectic life as the manager of a busy company. She had endless working hours and a demanding schedule. She would leave the house at 6 am and come home no earlier than 8 pm.
Because of that, there was little room left for her personal life.
While her first two daughters didn’t need her as much since they were older, Luna was still young and staying at home. As time went by and work took over, Scarlett failed to notice how fast Luna was growing.
The train of life kept running without a stopping point.
Then, the pandemic struck
Remember 2020? We were all forced to seclude ourselves to limit exposure to the COVID-19 virus. As the pandemic forced all our lives to slow down, Scarlett started to pay attention to what was happening at home.
To her surprise, her baby girl was no longer a baby. She had turned into a teenager seemingly overnight. Buried under work demands, Scarlett had lost the connection she once had with Luna.
This realization triggered a desire within Scarlett to never miss another moment of Luna’s life, and to create a stronger bond.
Re-writing the narrative of their relationship
Scarlett then made the courageous decision to leave her in-person job. She found a new one that offered flexible hours and the option to work from home. Even so, she knew bonding with her daughter wouldn’t be easy.
Luna wasn’t a particularly social teenager.
Every time Luna returned home from her activities, she would greet her mom with a hasty hello and a kiss, before retreating to her room.
A one-minute interaction that Scarlett wanted to cherish.
She promised herself this:
Whenever my daughter is about to enter or leave a room, I will make myself available, ready to listen, no matter what I’m doing or working on.
This became her ritual. She thoughtfully followed it for two years, devoting herself to every precious 60 seconds Luna gave her. But over the course of two years, Luna would continue heading straight to her room after greeting her mom.
Scarlett started feeling like the bridge between them was too wide to cross. She wondered if her efforts had gone unnoticed or if Luna simply didn’t care.
Luna‘s hidden affection
Then, one day, everything changed. Scarlett was relaxing on the couch, engrossed in watching TV when Luna entered the house after school.
Luna sat on the floor opposite Scarlett and stared intently at her mom. Puzzled, Scarlett asked her why Luna was looking at her like that.
Luna replied:
You didn’t turn off the TV this time, but you always stop whatever you’re doing when I come home.
Scarlett was so shocked by her daughter’s response, she burst into tears. Luna, confused by the sudden outburst, asked her mom why she was crying.
Scarlett explained that her little ritual was her way of being available in case Luna needed someone to talk to. She had stopped expecting Luna to notice or care about her routine. Scarlett expressed her gratitude:
I’m so glad I started this ritual because, in a way, it allowed me to connect with you, Scarlett told her daughter.
They talked for hours that day. From then on, Scarlett and Luna made a conscious effort to appreciate and cherish each other. Luna finally experienced a profound realization of love. Scarlett’s 60-second ritual had significantly improved their relationship.
Don’t let your kids raise themselves
As I share Scarlett’s story, I can’t help but wonder. What would have been Luna’s answer if her mom had asked her whether she felt loved, prior to them sealing the bridge? How deeply had Luna been affected by her mom’s absence?
Scarlett’s story reminded me of all the small actions we take to nurture connections with our loved ones, especially our children. We don’t have to wait for some special day or hope it’ll be easier when they’re older. It’s what we do now that makes all the difference.
So, let me ask you. Are you currently in Scarlett's shoes? Working long hours and struggling to find the time to connect with yourself and your young child? If yes, then I truly hope you can join our weekly FREE Newsletter HERE.
Our Newsletters serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement for parents. You’ll also have the opportunity to join an exclusive parenting club, connecting with like-minded parents, supporting you every step of the way.
Above all, remember this: don’t let your kids raise themselves. Consider taking 60 seconds each day to be fully present and engage with your child. I know it seems like a small gesture, but as in Scarlett’s case, it can create a profound impact on your relationship with your child.
Thanks for reading!
I appreciate you making it to the end of the article as it supports my page.