Last Friday evening, we were all sitting around the dining table playing cards, and when we realized it was almost 9pm, none of us had looked at our phones for hours. Henry was laughing so hard at something so ridiculous that he could barely shuffle the deck. Brownie crumbs littered the table. And then I realized. This is exactly what I’ve been looking for all week.
we, no screen satouWe just experimented last February, and I realize it was the greatest gift to our family heading into 2026. From Friday to Saturday night until 5pm, our phones are in the drawer (or at least generally— it’s not perfect!). Henry’s computer was shut down (thanks to parental controls). The TV stays off, except for family movie nights. What we get instead is a sense of space, connection, and time slowing down instead of slipping through our fingers. It became the anchor of our week.
To be honest, I didn’t realize how much I needed this kind of weekly reset until I started doing it. We are very good at filling every moment, keeping ourselves busy, and moving on to the next thing. And somewhere in that movement, we forget: Get used to it together. Creating a family reset isn’t about adding something to your calendar (which we all need the most!). It’s about carving out time to reconnect and remember what’s important.
So if the weeks feel like a blur or like we’re passing each other in the hallway more than actually connected? or Do your families live in the same house and have parallel lives? This is for you.
What is a family reset ritual?
A family reset ritual is a consistent, intentional weekly time to pause the usual chaos and reconnect with the people you love most. It’s not about perfection or careful planning, it’s about creating a comfortable rhythm for your family.
Think of it like hitting the reset button for the week. It doesn’t try to solve everything or solve all problems. It’s just giving us space to slow down, check in with each other, and plan for the week ahead. For some families, this may look like a Sunday morning breakfast where everyone talks about the week. For some, it’s a Friday night ritual that starts the weekend with intention.
The benefit of weekly resets is that everyone looks forward to them. It’s not forced family time. It’s a time when everyone is actually together, the usual distractions are gone, and it’s time to remember why we love being together in the first place.
For us, No Screen Saturday has become this. What started out as an experiment (honestly, I was nervous about how the kids would react) has turned into a day we’re all looking forward to. We’re discovering new hiking trails around Austin, curling up with a book by the fire, working on a game of golf, making cozy recipes (most recently this Roasted Tomato and White Bean Soup), going to our favorite Austin restaurants, and sitting around the table talking about nothing. It’s vast and feels like you’re building something real.
Please select a ritual
Your weekly reset doesn’t have to be the same as ours. The important thing is to choose the one that fits your life. You could also have a “family meeting” on Sunday, where everyone shares what was good and bad about the week. Or take time to check in on each other on Friday pizza night. Simply taking time out with your partner for a Saturday morning coffee date can be a game-changer. For just an hour, we can talk more intentionally about the week ahead.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Your family reset routine should feel like something you want to do, not something you do yourself. have to do. There are some things to consider:
What days and times are most effective?
Please see the actual schedule. When do you have the most time? For us, Friday night through Saturday made sense because it’s the start of the weekend and allows us to fully reset before the week begins. Most of the children’s activities take place during the week, so you can have Saturdays off most weeks. However, Sunday night, or Wednesday night, or even a weekday morning before everyone has dispersed may be more convenient.
How much time do you have?
You don’t have to do this all day long (though if you’re like us and want to go screen-free 24 hours a day, we highly recommend it). Even an hour of intentional connection can change the energy of your entire week. Start with what you think is doable and build from there.
What does your family actually enjoy doing?
If you don’t like structured activities, don’t force yourself into a strict family meeting format. If your kids are young and confused, a reset might look like a nature walk where everyone can get some physical activity. If you and your partner have deep conversations, it might be a weekly date ritual where you check in on each other’s relationships and dreams.
The rituals we create work because they are built around what we actually value: presence, connection, and time away from screens. And we actually plan fun activities so the kids look forward to it.
connection prompt
Well, I carved out some time. Well, what is it? Especially when you’re just starting out, it’s really helpful to have a few conversation tips in your pocket. These are not meant to feel like interviews. It’s a gentle way to spark real conversation and make everyone feel heard.
For families with children:
- What was the best thing about this week? What was the hardest thing?
- Is there anything you are worried about this week?
- What are you looking forward to next?
- If you could do anything as a family together this weekend, what would it be?
For couples:
- What do you think of us now? Is there anything more you need from me?
- What is taking up the most space in your head these days?
- What can we do together this week that will make us both feel better?
For the whole family:
- What do you miss since you haven’t worked together in a while?
- If our family had a motto, what would it be?
- What is one thing each person can do this week to help their family feel more connected?
The goal is not to force deep revelations every week (although sometimes they do, and those moments are magical). It’s about creating space for everyone to share what’s true for them: the good, the hard, and the ordinary that make up life.
I love how these relationship rituals give us words about things we might not otherwise be able to talk about. Like last week, Henry said he was stressed about his upcoming test, but we were able to problem-solve together in a way that felt more collaborative than pressured. Phoebe shared a situation she was involved in at school with another girl, and we had an honest conversation about friendship and belonging. These don’t necessarily pop up during a hectic dinner time on a weeknight. We need the spaciousness that comes with weekly resets.
Ideas for couples and families
If this sparks something in you, here are some ideas to start your own reset ritual. Feel free to use it as inspiration to create something completely your own.
A day without screens
This is our version and honestly, this was a game changer. Keep your phone away for 24 hours (or even just a few hours if that feels more practical). No social media, no email, no mindless scrolling. You’ll be amazed at how much mental space this creates and makes everyone feel more present. We keep Adam’s Apple Watch on in case of emergencies, but otherwise it’s completely unplugged. Yes, we sometimes watch movies together as a family. The key is not to be naive about screens, but to be intentional about when and how you use them.
weekly walk
Every Sunday morning, rain or shine, let’s go for a walk together. It doesn’t have to be a long time. Even just a 20-minute walk around your neighborhood will reset your nervous system and give you time to talk without distractions around the house. Moving your bodies side by side can help the conversation flow more naturally.
Saturday reset morning
Saturday mornings are set aside for family organization and connection. Make a big breakfast together, reflect on the week ahead, and discuss everyone’s schedules and commitments so everyone feels prepared and supported. This is especially helpful during busy weeks when there are a lot of moving parts.
friday night ritual
Light a candle, cook dinner together, put on some music, and make Friday night feel special. This is the transition from work weekdays to the weekend, and it feels different than usual. We’ve done this by simply playing good music while cooking, lighting candles during dinner, and sharing one thing we’re grateful for before a meal.
couples coffee date
If you have young children, use naps or cartoons to get 30 minutes of uninterrupted communication with your partner. Make some coffee, sit somewhere comfortable (not in front of the TV), and just talk. About your week, your relationships, your dreams, and anything else you think is important. Let’s be strict this time. It’s so easy to miss.
game night
Pull out a board game, card game, or something your family enjoys (here are some of our favorite board games) and make it a weekly tradition. There’s no phone on the table, we’re not in a hurry, we’re just playing and having quality time together. Some of the best conversations happen during games. Because everyone is relaxed and laughing.
nature day
Try to spend a few hours outdoors each week. Hike a new trail, go to the park, have a picnic, or explore somewhere you’ve never been before. Changing the environment, even just a little, can change everyone’s energy and mood in the best way.
Both of these goals are about consistency. Calling it a weekly reset doesn’t mean it has to be elaborate or Instagrammable. It means being in it every week, even if it’s imperfect, even if someone is in a bad mood, even if life is a mess. Because that’s when you need it most.
takeout
Intentionally setting aside time each week to connect with your family isn’t about adding something to your diet, it’s about remembering what actually feeds you. It’s about creating space for what’s most important.
These little moments make up our lives, and having a weekly rhythm helps us remember to look into our children’s eyes instead of constantly staring at a screen. Rather than just coordinating logistics, we have deeper conversations with Adam. We want them to feel like a team that actually exists with each other, rather than just coexisting in the same space.
Setting these boundaries can be difficult, and I’m far from perfect. But I also know that when we are truly present, when we slow down enough to actually connect, everything feels different. It becomes more vivid, more meaningful, and closer to the life I want to live.
Source: Camille Styles – camillestyles.com
