Establishing rituals like regular family dinners where everyone shares their highs and lows of the day can provide stability and emotional support for children. These rituals create predictability, reliability, and reinforce the message of 'I'm here with you, we're going to be together, and we're going to make it.' Connecting through rituals helps reduce anxiety levels, fosters trust, and reinforces the importance of human connectivity, especially crucial during the transition from late elementary to junior high when kids can disconnect from parents. Parents act as the 'side of the pool' for children, providing a safe retreat to check in when needed, ensuring a strong parent-child connection amidst the influence of peer groups.