“Just two more minutes!”

“Okay, one last episode.”

“Why are you crying? We have to go!”

If you’re a parent, chances are you’ve said at least one of these things — probably more often than you’d like. From morning rushes and school-time goodbyes to bedtime negotiations and unexpected meltdowns, some of the toughest parenting moments can come from the smallest things.

But what if a few simple changes in how we respond could make these moments a little easier?

Mom influencer and parenting coach Rahela Tayyebi @imperfectbusymom believes that parenting doesn’t always have to be about correcting behaviour. Sometimes, it’s about understanding what is happening underneath it. 

She shares five simple rules that families can bring into their everyday routines — from giving a child a long hug to offering a warning before screen time ends.

And while these may sound like simple parenting hacks, there is research around many of the ideas behind them. 

1. Start with a 20-second hug

When a child is upset, our first instinct can be to ask questions, explain what went wrong or immediately try to fix the problem.

Rahela suggests doing something much simpler first: hug them.

She recommends making long hugs part of the daily routine — when your child wakes up, returns from school or goes to bed. And when they’re overwhelmed, try saying, “Come here, let’s have a big hug first.”

That physical connection can help a child feel safe enough to calm down before you talk through what happened.

According to a study from the University of North Carolina, physical affection has been linked with lower stress and greater feelings of connection and wellbeing. Research on affectionate touch also suggests that touch can influence the body’s stress response and strengthen social bonds. 

While the specific “20-second” timing is best understood as a practical guideline rather than a scientifically fixed........

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