Modern families seem to have more hectic schedules than families did in years past, and that heavy load is forcing many to seek help. A 2024 Harris poll of more than 2,000 parents found that 25 percent of couples sought therapy to cope with family schedules, which respondents indicated required more than 30 hours per week to plan and coordinate.

One approach gaining steam among modern families is the 7-7-7 rule. There are various iterations of the rule, including some focused exclusively on fostering stronger relationships between romantic partners. But some parents are looking to a version of the 7-7-7 rule to build stronger relationships with their children. That approach allocates seven minutes in the morning, seven minutes after school or at the end of the workday, and seven minutes before bedtime to engage in meaningful interactions with children.

The goal of this approach is to reduce kids’ stress and anxiety and ensure consistent, quality interactions between parents and their children.