If you give the best of yourself at work and bring the leftovers home...
You're not alone.
Many of us give our best at work, but when we walk through the door at home (or shut the laptop), what's left is what I recently coined "crumb energy." I literally made this connection while feeling depleted and staring at food crumbs on the kitchen floor (my kids had eaten the best part) 😂
Crumb energy is the tired, snappy, low-capacity version of us. The one that can barely hold space for the bedtime stories, tantrums, or repeated “Watch this!” requests from our kids.
We end up giving our families what’s left, not what’s best.
And for many parents, that gap creates guilt.
But what if we approached this with more grace and a few small but intentional shifts? For example:
✅ Bookend your day with connection, not just tasks.
Start and end your day with one intentional moment. That short time of full attention can leave a lasting impact. For example, getting in bed with your kids and playing a quick game like Memory Match can be a way for you to lay down and relax, and still connect with them - Win-win!
✅ Use your commute (or post-work pause) to transition.
Whether it's a 30-minute drive or a 3-minute breath after closing your laptop, create a buffer. Let work thoughts settle before re-entering your home life. You deserve that reset, and so does your family.
✅ Ask yourself: "What does 'the best of me' look like at home today?"
It won’t always be big energy. Sometimes it’s listening without distraction. Sometimes it’s patience for one more question. Define your best in ways that feel human, not heroic.
And it’s okay if you don’t have 100% to give in both places, every day. But with intention, you can slowly reduce the end of day crumb energy and shift it to intentional energy.
Here are some easy tools that can help you with connecting with your kids, in a way that requires little of your energy:
More Connection, More Joy!