Tiny Wellbeing Moments: Parent-Led Tips for Finding Small Pauses in Busy Days

For many parents in our community, wellbeing isn’t about long routines, spa days or perfectly planned self-care. It’s about the tiny moments – the brief pauses that can sometimes help in the middle of very full, very demanding days. 

This week, as part of Top Tips Tuesday, we asked parents to share the small, realistic things that help them reset, even briefly. Not things they should be doing, but things that occasionally feel possible. Here’s what families told us.

1. Changing the scene can be a reset in itself

Several parents talked about how simply stepping away from the immediate environment can help when everything feels overwhelming. 

One parent shared how a ‘sleepy drive’ at nap time can be a lifeline on chaotic days. Getting everyone safely into the car, with music playing and a favourite drink to hand, creates a moment of calm without pressure or expectations. 

“There’s no rush to get anywhere. Everyone is safe, separated and rested. I’m grounded by the views, the music and just having space to breathe.” 

Sometimes this drive becomes shared time with a partner too – a chance to talk without interruptions and reconnect, even briefly.

2. Breaking the day into smaller pieces

When days feel heavy, several parents mentioned how helpful it can be to mentally reset the clock. 

Rather than letting one difficult moment colour the entire day, breaking time into hours can create space for fresh starts. 

“I think, ‘OK, new hour – let’s have a fresh start.’ Otherwise something that happened in the morning can hang over everything.” 

This gentle reframing can help reduce pressure and make overwhelming days feel more manageable.

3. Grounding through touch, breath and perspective 

Some parents shared very small grounding techniques that help in intense moments – things that can be done anywhere, at any time. 

Focusing on physical sensations, such as noticing how small a child’s hands are, or slowly breathing while touching thumb to each finger in turn, can help bring attention back to the present.

“It reminds me how little they still are. We’re allowed to get overwhelmed – we’re human.” 

These moments don’t make challenges disappear, but they can soften them just enough to get through the next part of the day.

4. Creativity and quiet focus

For others, wellbeing comes from short bursts of creativity. Learning a new skill, such as crochet or amigurumi, was described as a way to focus fully on one thing and briefly step away from everything else. 

“Even half an hour helps. I’m concentrating on the task, and eventually there’s an end product – even if it takes months!” 

Having something personal, enjoyable and absorbing can offer a sense of achievement and calm.

5. Tiny rituals at the edges of the day

Parents also shared small end-of-day moments that feel like reclaimed time: reading a page or two of a book before bed, enjoying a hot drink once the house is quiet, or even a few minutes of scrolling when everyone else is asleep. 

Others mentioned walking instead of driving when possible, short bursts of movement, or simple breathing exercises. 

Underlying many of these tips was reassurance – that others understand, that hard days are shared, and that tomorrow is a new day.

“One day at a time.” 

You’re not alone. These tiny wellbeing moments won’t look the same for everyone, and they won’t always be possible. But shared experiences like these can remind us that we’re not alone, and that even small pauses can matter. 

If you’d like to add your own tips or experiences, join the conversation in our private Facebook groups. Every Tuesday, we invite families to share as part of Top Tips Tuesday – and your words might be exactly what another parent needs to hear.