What is “Take 5”?

Take 5 is a mindful parenting practice introduced by educator and mindfulness instructor Roma Khetarpal, author of The “Perfect” Parent. It invites parents to pause for just five minutes each day to do absolutely nothing, together with their child. You can hear Roma speak about this gentle ritual in this short video.

This isn't time to teach, explain, solve, or plan. It’s simply a few minutes to share presence, whether that’s snuggling on the couch, sitting quietly in the backyard, or resting side by side after a long day. No phones, no screens, and no rules, just the two of you, being.

How to Do It

Step 1: Invite the moment
Let your child know you’d like to spend five minutes doing “nothing” together. You might call it a time to rest, recharge, or just be. Choose a cozy spot where you can both feel comfortable.

Step 2: Let it be unstructured
During these five minutes, follow your child’s lead. If they talk, listen. If they stay quiet, share the silence. There’s no goal other than being together.

Step 3: Stay present with gentle attention
If your child shares something, resist the urge to correct, explain, or advise. Instead, offer simple, supportive responses that show you’re fully there:

• “It sounds like that’s really interesting to you.”

• “That might have been hard.”

• “That’s great, it seems like you got through it.”

Your calm presence, without trying to fix or teach, is the heart of this practice.

Step 4: Close gently when time is up
If your five minutes naturally stretch a bit longer, that’s okay. When you need to move on, you might say:

“This sounds really important, let’s find a time to come back to it after we finish our chores. I loved spending this bit of ‘doing nothing’ time with you.”

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Why It Matters

Children thrive on connection. These short moments of undivided attention help your child feel seen and valued. Over time, Take 5 becomes a dependable rhythm, a safe pocket in the day where your child knows they can be fully themselves with you.

This isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing less, with intention. As Roma Khetarpal says:

“Let’s do nothing. Be together. Do nothing together.” Five minutes. Every day. That’s all it takes.