Caregivers don’t have to be perfect — they just have to be intentional. This handout explores why presence matters for children in foster, adoptive, and kinship care, and how even brief, focused moments of connection can support a child’s emotional security, confidence, and stress regulation. Prioritizing Presence and Mental Wellness for Children: When Phones Compete for Attention offers a warm, judgment-free look at the role of caregiver attention in children’s development, practical strategies for building connection into everyday moments, and an important reminder that caregiver rest and downtime matter too. Balance — not perfection — is always the goal.

 

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Author: Wisconsin Family Connections Center
Additional Author: Coalition for Children, Youth & Families