You Only Get 37 Minutes a Day With Your Kids. Here’s Why It Matters More Than You Think

By Leyla Moses, Mom and Co-Creator of Thrive Together

Parenthood goes fast, faster than we think. When you pause long enough to look at the numbers, it can stop you in your tracks. Research shows that seventy five percent of the total time parents will ever spend with their children happens before they turn twelve.

Once you subtract school, sports, work, and daily logistics, families are often left with just thirty seven minutes of true connection a day. And even that time can quietly disappear into screens, stress, and exhaustion.

I still remember hearing about a Chick-fil-A franchise back in 2016 that offered free ice cream if families would put their phones in a little “cell phone coop” during meals. At the time, I thought it was clever and a little sad that it was even necessary.

Fast forward to now, and the challenge feels even bigger. As a mom of two trying to juggle work, school runs, sports, and homework, I know how hard it can be to make family moments feel meaningful. Phones are no longer just distractions. They are part of our daily rhythm.

I will be honest. I worry about this. Some nights, we are lucky if we manage ten minutes around the dinner table, not just physically together, but fully present. And yet, those ten minutes can change everything.

When we slow down enough to ask simple questions like, “What was the best part of your day?” or “What are you grateful for today?” something shifts. The phones go face down. The shoulders relax. A story spills out.

Sometimes we talk about how we used our strengths that day. Courage at school. Kindness with a friend. Perseverance through something hard. Those conversations often last long after the dishes are cleared.

It is not about fancy outings or perfect meals. It is about intentionally making space to connect, even when life feels chaotic.

Those small moments of presence build trust, gratitude, and joy. They remind our kids that they matter and that they are seen.

If we can reclaim even ten of those thirty seven minutes each day for laughter, listening, and real conversation, we do more than make memories. We build resilience.

Because thriving is not about doing more.It is about being here, together, right now.

Leyla Moses is a mom of two and co-creator of Thrive Together, a science-backed family wellness game designed to help families connect through gratitude and strengths-based conversations.