Prioritizing family time: 10 tips for busy families
In today’s fast-paced world, finding quality time for family can be a challenge. This article presents practical tips for busy families to prioritize and maximize their time together, drawing from expert insights in family dynamics and time management. From creating simple rituals to establishing device-free zones, these strategies aim to help families strengthen their bonds and create lasting memories.
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- Create Simple Repeatable Family Rituals
- Foster Engaging Dinnertime Conversations
- Schedule Daily Family Check-ins
- Establish Device-Free Connection Time
- Turn Everyday Moments into Family Adventures
- Prioritize Non-Negotiable Family Breakfasts
- Set Clear Boundaries for Family Time
- Build Consistent Family Traditions
- Reserve Unwavering Weekly Family Reset Periods
- Treat Family Time Like Important Meetings
Create Simple Repeatable Family Rituals
Create simple, repeatable rituals that the whole family can look forward to. Think of simple things such as a Friday night homemade pizza and movie night or a Sunday morning pancake breakfast where every family member has a role to play – even a toddler with a whisk. It doesn’t have to be something big or elaborate. The low-key activities tend to stick better and feel more meaningful to everyone over time.
As for prioritizing family time, I treat it the same way I treat anything else that matters – I put it on the calendar. I know that it is relatively easy to compromise on family time when my schedule is full of work. However, I have found that when it is scheduled, it actually happens.
The good thing is that when you develop a habit of showing up consistently, you build a family culture where being together isn’t just something that happens by chance but something you all choose on purpose.
Paul Zalewski, Co-Founder, Fathercraft
Foster Engaging Dinnertime Conversations
An easy answer might be that our family, including two elementary-aged children, is shown the value of eating dinner together on most nights. We ensure there are no distracting electronics at the table and no televisions on in the background. That said, my husband and I work to create an atmosphere that none of us, adults and youth, wish to miss.
On school nights, we make it a point to have the children open their backpacks and share their work; perhaps a teacher’s note, and maybe an artistic creation. Most recently, when my parents were joyfully present, our youngest said, “I’ll tell you a funny thing that happened today, and then you’re next.” This independent statement alerted us all that he was ready to share his news, valued our attention, and, perhaps even more importantly, wanted each of us to offer a story, too.
This has clearly become a family culture that we hope continues, to bring each of us joy, love, and many opportunities to demonstrate our respect and appreciation for one another.
Ashley Kenny, Co-Founder, Heirloom Video Books
Schedule Daily Family Check-ins
As a family therapist, I’ve seen how starting small with 15-minute daily check-ins during breakfast or bedtime can transform family dynamics more than trying to plan elaborate monthly events. When families in my practice share their struggles with busy schedules, I encourage them to treat family time like any other important appointment – block it in your calendar and protect it fiercely, even if it’s just reading together before bed or taking a quick walk after dinner.
Dr. Mareba Lewis, Licensed Professional Counselor, Your Journey Counseling and Wellness
Establish Device-Free Connection Time
In my work with families in recovery, I’ve seen how setting aside just 30 minutes each evening for a ‘device-free zone’ – where we put away phones and really connect – can make a huge difference in family dynamics. I started this practice with my own family during dinner time, and it’s amazing how our conversations have become more meaningful and supportive, even on the busiest days.
Taylor Murphy, Director of Community Outreach, Brighter Start Health
Turn Everyday Moments into Family Adventures
One of the best tips I can give for creating a family culture that truly values quality time is to make your time together feel like an adventure—even if it’s a small one. That doesn’t mean you need to plan a vacation every weekend. It can be as simple as a no-phones beach walk, a family shell hunt, or even a sunset picnic in the backyard. The key is being present, not perfect.
As someone who runs a business that operates 7 days a week, I understand how tough it is to juggle it all. For us, prioritizing family time means actually putting it on the calendar like any other appointment. If I don’t block it out, it gets swallowed up by boat maintenance, customer calls, or tour prep. But if I schedule it—family breakfast on Sunday, a fishing trip, or even just 30 minutes of backyard goofing off—it happens. And those little moments add up to something big over time.
Time together doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to be intentional.
Christopher Farley, Owner, Flippin’ Awesome Adventures
Prioritize Non-Negotiable Family Breakfasts
As a doctor and father of three, I’ve found that making our Sunday morning pancake breakfasts non-negotiable has been transformative for our family bonding, even with my hectic hospital schedule. I put these weekly breakfasts in my calendar like medical appointments, and we use this time to share stories and plan our week together, which has dramatically improved our family’s emotional health.
Dr. Edward Espinosa, Owner, OptumMD
Set Clear Boundaries for Family Time
One tip I always share is the importance of setting clear boundaries. It’s easy for work and other commitments to take over, but we’ve found that scheduling family time in advance and treating it as a non-negotiable commitment helps. As the COO of a fast-paced business, I’ve had to make a conscious effort to block off weekends or specific evenings for family. It’s not just about being physically present but being mentally engaged, which is why we often plan activities that allow for real connection—whether it’s a long bike ride or cooking a meal together. Prioritizing this time ensures we don’t drift into routines where work takes over, and instead, we remain intentional about bonding.
Odellé Joubert, Chief Operating Officer, Dentaly Go
Build Consistent Family Traditions
One tip I’d offer for creating a family culture that values quality time is to establish rituals or traditions that everyone looks forward to. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant; something simple like a weekly family dinner or a movie night can go a long way in bringing everyone together. The key is consistency. These routines create a sense of belonging and show that family time is non-negotiable, even in the busiest of schedules.
For me, it’s about being intentional with my time. I make sure to block out moments in the week that are dedicated solely to family, with no work allowed. It might be tough at times, but I’ve learned that quality is far more important than quantity. Prioritizing those moments means giving your full attention, whether it’s during dinner or when you’re sharing something special.
When we make those small, consistent efforts, it builds a culture of togetherness, and we all end up feeling more connected. It’s about creating an environment where time with family is as valuable as any other commitment in our lives.
Bradford Glaser, President & CEO, HRDQ
Reserve Unwavering Weekly Family Reset Periods
Creating a powerful family culture has become possible through setting family time as an unwavering appointment, similar to client appointments. Each Sunday, we reserve our family reset period. During family time, all work discussions must cease while we spend time together, whether through walks, eating out, or watching films.
People within the fitness world often lose themselves in their relentless activities. Reserving time with family functions similarly to rest days since it serves as emotional fuel for life. I establish family time appointments on my calendar just like I do business engagements so that I stay grounded and connected in my home environment.
Armstrong Lazenby, Founder, Fitness Image
Treat Family Time Like Important Meetings
The key is intentionality!
Treat family time like you would an important client meeting. For me, it is important that I ensure that I have non-negotiable time each week for shared meals or tech-free evenings. It doesn’t need to be elaborate; even a simple walk or cooking together can be meaningful.
As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to let work blur into personal time, but setting clear boundaries, like switching off after a certain hour, helps reinforce that family matters just as much as business. It sends a message to your family and your team about what you truly value.
Christopher Wells, Business Development Manager
