4 Ways to Spend More Time with Your Family

If you asked me what really matters in life, one of my answers would be more family time. It’s the moments we share with our loved ones that form the foundation of a happy, fulfilled life. Yet, too often, we get caught in the whirlwind of busyness, leaving our family at the bottom of our to-do list.

I’ve been there. From juggling a high-pressure job to ticking off endless tasks for a dopamine hit, I know what it’s like to wear busyness as a badge of honor. But here’s the truth—busyness steals away the precious moments that make life worth living. 

A study from the Pew Research Center highlights that about 73% of U.S. adults rate spending time with family as one of the most important aspects of their lives, far surpassing other personal priorities. If we want to nurture both our families and ourselves, we must consciously carve out time away from the hustle and bustle of society.

Here are four actionable ways to create more family time and cut through the clutter of busyness.

1. Define What Matters Most

The first step to spending more time with your family is to identify your values and commit to living by them. Ask yourself, “What matters most?” For me, realizing the importance of connecting with my family hit hard when my mother became ill.

During her battle with cancer, my life got painfully simple. My job was to care for her, whether it was giving her an IV or just sitting by her side. Some days, it felt overwhelming, but the time we spent together was deeply meaningful. 

Those quiet moments reminded me that true success isn’t about climbing the corporate ladder or checking off to-do lists. It’s about creating memories with the people we love.

If busyness has you tangled up, start by asking this simple question, “Am I spending my time on what truly matters?” Write it down. Revisit your list whenever the busyness takes over your schedule.

Pro Tip

Use the "Do, Delay, Delegate, Ditch" method to evaluate your priorities. This tool helped me free up my time for family by focusing on what’s truly important to me, and what I can leave behind.

2. Set Boundaries Around Your Busyness

Busyness is like a treadmill—it keeps you moving but gets you nowhere. Setting boundaries is essential to protect your time and energy for your loved ones.

I’ll never forget a friend of mine who missed her son’s first football touchdown. She’d made a promise to be there, but busyness got in the way. By the time she raced to the game, ten minutes late, the big moment had already passed. She’ll never get that moment back.

We’ve all had those wake-up calls. They sting, but they teach us something powerful—nothing is worth sacrificing the moments that matter most.

How to Set Boundaries

• Say "no" to commitments that don’t align with your values.

• Establish clear work cut-off times.

• Block off family time on your calendar, just as you would a meeting with your boss.

Remember, if everything is important, nothing is.

3. Create Daily Rituals for Connection

One of the most effective ways to nurture family time is by creating small, daily rituals. I call this “Mojo-Making,” and it is the second step of my Busy Busting Process, outlined in my book “Beyond Busyness: How to Achieve More By Doing Less.” These rituals don’t need to be complicated or time-consuming. What matters is their consistency and intention.

When my own family was going through ups and downs, I found solace in simple rituals—baking cookies with my son, watching a favorite sitcom together, or sharing stories over dinner. One night in particular comes to mind. My son and I laughed so hard over paying a repairman with a jar of homemade peach jam that we ended up calling the incident “The Peach Jam Adventure.” 

These small rituals remind us to savor everyday moments, even when life feels chaotic.

Ideas for Daily Family Rituals

• Morning check-ins at breakfast.

• Family walks after dinner.

• A weekly game night.

• Sunday dinners where everyone shares a highlight from their week.

Rituals like these create opportunities for connection and help us focus on the joys of life instead of the distractions of busyness.

4. Learn to Outsource and Simplify

Here’s a hard truth—sometimes, in our quest to be superheroes, we take on tasks that could easily be shared or delegated. Outsourcing isn’t just for the workplace; it can be a lifesaver at home, too.

Years ago, when my family moved into our dream house, I made a huge mistake. While waiting for the movers, I decided to hang hooks on all the doors—a task that could have easily waited or been outsourced. Instead, I ended up gluing my own hands together with super glue! Not only did I waste precious time, but I missed the joy of savoring that important day with my family.

What could I have done differently? I could have kept things simple, asked for help, or left the hooks for another day.

How to Simplify Your Life

• Outsource tasks like house cleaning or yard work to free up your time.

• Let go of perfection. Not everything has to be Instagram-worthy.

• Use tools and systems to streamline things like errands (Instacart) or meal prep (Hello Fresh).

Simplifying your life isn’t just about reducing busyness—it’s about making room for what matters.

Why It’s Worth It

When you prioritize family time, you’re not just creating memories—you’re strengthening bonds that last a lifetime. Yes, it takes effort and discipline to step off the busy hamster wheel, but the rewards are immeasurable.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that life’s most meaningful moments are often the simplest. Whether it’s cheering on your kids at a game, laughing over a shared meal, or just sitting around with nothing to do but enjoy each other’s company, those are the moments that truly matter.

Are You Ready to Stop Being Busy?

If you’ve found yourself nodding along, wondering where all your time has gone, it’s time to take action. Busyness can hide in unexpected places, and the first step is recognizing where it’s creeping into your life.

Take the Busy Barometer to discover the 21 areas of life that attract busy traps. It’s a simple, effective tool to identify what’s keeping you from spending more time with your family. Trust me, the results might surprise you—and they might just change your life.

Click here to take the Busy Barometer today and start reclaiming what truly matters.

Family is our foundation. Guard it fiercely, nurture it deeply, and remember—no career milestone or to-do list will ever replace the moments you share with your loved ones.

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