Last Friday evening, we were all sitting around the dining room table playing cards, when it dawned on me—it was almost 9pm, and none of us had looked at the phone in hours. Henry was laughing so hard at the funny thing that he couldn’t shuffle the deck. Brownie crumbs littered the table. And I realized: this is exactly what I’ve been longing for all week.
We started our No-Screen Saturday experiment back in February of last year, and as we enter 2026, I realize it has been the greatest gift of all for our family. From 5pm Friday to Saturday night, our phones stay in the cupboard (at least, mostly-it’s not about perfection!). Henry’s computer is locked (thanks, parental controls). The TV doesn’t work unless we have family movie night. What we get instead is space, connection, and a sense of time slowing down instead of slipping through our fingers. It has become a staple of our church.
Honestly, I didn’t realize how much we needed this kind of reset every week until we started doing it. We are very good at filling every moment, staying busy, and moving from one thing to the next. And somewhere in all that movement, we just forget be together. Creating a family reset isn’t about adding another item to the calendar (the last thing any of us need!). It’s about taking time out to reconnect and remember what’s important.
SO—if you’ve been feeling like the churches are blurring together, or that you’re passing your partner in the hallway more than you’re communicating, or since your family is in the same house but living the same life? This is for you.
What is the Family Reset Ritual?
The family reset ritual is a consistent, intentional time each week when you stop the usual chaos and reconnect with the people you love the most. It’s not about perfection or detailed planning—it’s about creating a rhythm that feels right for your family.
Think of it as hitting the reset button on your week. You’re not trying to fix everything or solve every problem—you’re just making space to slow down, check in with each other, and set goals for the week ahead. For some families, this may look like a Sunday morning breakfast where everyone talks about their week. For some, it’s a Friday night ritual that kicks off the weekend with a purpose.
The beauty of a weekly reset is that it becomes something everyone looks forward to. It’s not forced family time—it’s time when you’re all together, when the usual distractions fall away, and when you remember why you love being together in the first place.
Our No-Screen Saturdays have become this for us. What started as an experiment (honestly, I was nervous about how the kids would react) has turned into a day we all look forward to. We discover new hiking trails in Austin, curl up with books by the fire, work on our golf game, make delicious recipes (most recently, this roasted tomato and white bean soup), hit up our favorite Austin restaurants, and sit around the table talking about everything and nothing. It feels expansive, and like we’re building something real.
Choose Your Culture
Your weekly reset doesn’t have to look like ours—the important thing is to choose something that fits your lifestyle. You can have a Sunday “family meeting” where everyone chats happily or at the bottom of the church. Or a Friday pizza night with some check-in time. Even carving out time with your partner for a Saturday morning coffee date can be a game-changer—just an hour to talk about the week ahead in a meaningful way.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach—how to reset your family should feel like something you want to do, not something you can do. be to do. A few things to consider:
What day and time works best?
Look at your actual schedule—when do you have the most breathing room? For us, Friday evening through Saturday made sense because it kicks off the weekend and gives us that perfect reset before the week starts again. Most of our children’s activities take place during the week, so we are able to block Saturdays most weeks. But maybe a Sunday evening works best for you, or a Wednesday night, or a weekday morning before everyone disperses.
What time do you have?
This doesn’t have to be an all-day thing (although if you want to go without a screen for 24 hours like we do, I highly recommend it). Even an hour of intentional communication can change the energy of your entire week. Start with what feels possible and build from there.
What does your family really enjoy?
If you hate organized activities, don’t force yourself into a strict family meeting format. If your kids are young and rambunctious, maybe your reset looks like a nature trip where everyone can move their bodies. If you and your partner thrive on deep conversation, maybe it’s a weekly nighttime ritual where you go into your relationship and dreams.
The culture we’ve created works because it’s built on what we truly value: presence, connection, and time away from screens. And we actually plan fun activities for our kids to look forward to!
Communication Instructions
Okay, so you recorded the time. Now what? This is where having a few chats in your back pocket can really come in handy, especially if you’re just starting out. These aren’t meant to feel like an interview—they’re gentle ways to spark real conversation and help everyone feel heard.
For families with children:
- What is the best part of your week? What was the hardest part?
- Are there any worries this week?
- What’s one thing you enjoy about coming up?
- If you could do anything together as a family this weekend, what would it be?
For couples:
- How do you feel about us right now? Do you need anything more from me?
- What is taking up a lot of space in your mind lately?
- What is one thing we can do together this week that will make us both feel happy?
For the whole family:
- What is something we haven’t done together in a long time that you remember?
- If our family had a motto, what should it be?
- What is one thing each person can do this week to help our family feel connected?
The goal is not to force profound revelations every single week (although sometimes they do, and those times are magical). It’s about creating space for everyone to share what’s real to them—the good, the hard, and the ordinary that make up life.
I love that these relationship practices give us a language for things we wouldn’t otherwise talk about. Just like last week, Henry said he was feeling stressed about the upcoming test, and we were able to problem solve together in a way that felt supportive instead of stressful. Phoebe had a situation involving another girl at school, and we had an honest conversation about friendship and participation. These aren’t things that always come up during a weeknight dinner—they need the scope that a weekly reset creates.
Ideas for couples or families
If this sparks something for you, here are some ideas to get you started on your reset routine. Feel free to use them as inspiration to create something completely your own.
Screen Free Day
This is our version, and honestly, it’s been a game changer. Put your phones away for 24 hours (or just a few hours if that makes sense). No social media, no email, no mindless scrolling. You’ll be surprised how much mental space it creates and how much everyone feels included. We keep Adam’s Apple Watch on for emergencies, but other than that, we’re not completely connected. And yes, sometimes we watch a family movie together. The point isn’t to be naive about screens, it’s to be intentional about when and how we use them.
Weekly Trips
Every Sunday morning, rain or shine, go for a walk together. It doesn’t have to be long—even 20 minutes in your neighborhood can reset your nervous system and give you time to talk without the distractions of home. There’s something about moving your body from side to side that makes the conversation flow naturally.
Saturday Reset Morning
Set aside Saturday morning for family planning and communication. Make a big breakfast together, review the week ahead, discuss everyone’s schedules and commitments, and make sure everyone feels prepared and supported. This is especially helpful if you have busy weeks with lots of moving parts.
Friday night service
Light the candles, make dinner together, put on some music, and treat Friday night like the special event it is. This is your transition from the work week to the weekend—make it feel different. We have done this by playing good music while we cook, or lighting candles at dinner, or having everyone share one thing they are thankful for before we eat.
Coffee Date for Couples
If you have young children, use naptime or cartoons to have 30 minutes of uninterrupted communication with your partner. Make some coffee, sit in a comfortable place (not in front of the TV), and just talk. About your church, about your relationships, about your dreams, about anything you feel is important. Protect this time fiercely—it’s too easy to let it slip.
Night Game
Pull out board games, card games, whatever your family enjoys (our favorite board games are here)—and make it a weekly ritual. No phones on the table, no rush, just good time playing together. Some of our best conversations happen during games because everyone is relaxed and laughing.
Nature Day
Commit to spending a few hours outside each week. Take a new route, go to the park, have a picnic, explore a place you’ve never been. Changing your environment—even a little—can change everyone’s energy and mood for the better.
The goal with any of these is consistency. Calling it a weekly reset doesn’t mean it has to be detailed or Instagram-worthy—it means you show yourself every week, even if it’s not perfect, even if someone’s in a bad mood, even if life is chaotic. Because that’s where we need it most.
The Takeaway
Setting aside intentional time each week to connect with your family isn’t about adding more to your plate—it’s about remembering what really nourishes you. It’s about creating space for what’s most important.
These little moments make up our lives, and having a weekly rhythm helps me remember to look my children in the eye instead of always staring at a screen. Having deep conversations with Adam instead of coordinating transportation. I want us to feel like a team that exists together, not just living in the same place.
Setting these boundaries can be difficult, and I’m not perfect at it. But I also know that when we’re really there—when we slow down enough to connect—everything feels different. A life that is more, more meaningful, and more like the life I want to live.