Maybe you’re wondering: Is this really that important? Will 28 days actually make a difference? Between work, school, activities, and just keeping everyone fed, it’s easy to think that connection can wait. But the research tells a different story. Study after study confirms what you probably already feel in your gut: presence matters. Face-to-face time matters. The small moments add up. The Connection Reset is built on decades of research about what actually strengthens families. Here’s what the science says.
About Family Meals & Connection:
- Families who eat dinner together 5+ times per week report stronger relationships and better family functioning, with teens being 1.5 times more likely to have excellent relationships with their mothers and twice as likely to have excellent relationships with their fathers.
- Children who eat frequent family meals are 45% less likely to have tried alcohol and show significantly lower rates of substance use, violence, and depression.
- Maintaining eye contact during conversation for 30-60 seconds can trigger the release of oxytocin, the “connection hormone,” creating feelings of calm, trust, and bonding between you and your child.
- More family conversation occurs during mealtimes than during any other activity, including playing with toys or reading together.
- 71% of teenagers say that talking and catching up with family is the best part of family dinners—they actually want to connect with you.
About Screen Time & Development:
- Children ages 8-12 now spend an average of 5.5 hours per day on entertainment screens, while teens average 7-9 hours daily, which is more time than they spend sleeping.
- Tweens and teens who spend more than 4 hours daily on screens show significantly higher rates of anxiety, depression, and attention difficulties compared to those who limit screen time to under 2 hours.
- When researchers tracked eye movements during conversations, they discovered that avoiding eye contact reduces connection, but when families practice face-to-face interaction, both parent and child experience increased feelings of trust and happiness.
- Research shows that only 35% of children ages 2-5 are meeting the recommended guideline of one hour or less of screen time per day, meaning nearly two-thirds exceed healthy limits.
About Presence & Development:
- On days when adolescents eat with their families, they report feeling happier, less stressed, and having a stronger sense of fulfillment than on days when they don’t.
- Frequent family dinners are associated with higher academic performance. Children who regularly eat with their families achieve higher grades and show greater commitment to schoolwork.
- Children who participate in regular family meals are at significantly lower risk of developing eating disorders, with benefits lasting into adulthood.
