There was a time when the joke at the dinner table was 'Earth to Mom, Earth to Mom' because I would be physically sitting there but mentally somewhere else. This mother and others learned how to focus. Set aside regular times for talking and take advantage of found moments For some parents, this is dinnertime. Other parents use car time. Often, this is the case with older children.
Older children are more likely than younger children to want more time with their parents.
However, as they told me, they have been so busy pushing their parents away that it is hard for them to reconnect. So when that happens, put down what you are doing and start to talk. Pretty soon, they'll probably open up and tell you what's on their minds. Children's books are a good way to start a conversation with younger children. If your child is afraid of going to school, or of bullies, there is a book on this subject.