The new year often brings a certain kind of stress. We feel like we need to be better, do more, and change everything right away. But the last thing parents need is more pressure. What most families really need is support and the chance to feel proud of small wins.
As we move toward 2026, try setting aside strict resolutions that focus only on the final result. Instead, shift your attention toward intentions. These are small, meaningful steps that focus on the journey and the growth process. This approach often leads to a more balanced and rewarding experience for everyone. Here’s how to create intentions that feel doable in 2026:
1. Start with what is already going well.
Ask yourself:
What moments were highlights for my family in 2025?
What routines helped life feel smoother
What brought my family joy or calm?
What small wins would we like to achieve again?
Keeping the things that already work is just as powerful as adding something new.
2. As a family, set small, realistic intentions that you can truly live by.
The more realistic, the easier intentions are to stick to. Try intentions that take 10 minutes out of your day or week.
Examples may be:
Read one book together every day. (Any length!)
Have a slow morning twice a week. (Give yourself 5 minutes to cuddle or eat together without rushing)
Have a weekly adventure together. (It can be tiny like a library trip, a trip to the grocery store, or a trip to the zoo!)
Enjoy a short bedtime routine together every night. (Brush teeth, put on pjs, cuddle, lights out!)
3. Create a visual.
Visuals can give us the focus and motivation we need to reach our goals. A family intention board is an easy, visual way to stay focused on what matters most, like values, small goals, or weekly themes.
Place it somewhere visible and fill it with:
Family values (kindness, patience, gratitude)
Small goals (based on the ideas above)
Fun visuals (photos, drawings, stickers)
Your visual will help everyone stay connected, celebrate small wins, and gently guide your family’s routines.
4. Understand that intentions can change.
Intentions are flexible and can change day by day, week by week, or even year by year. For example, if your family sets an intention to declutter once a week but it starts to feel like too much, you can adjust it anytime to make it work better for you.
Check in on your intentions each month
Let go of the ones that no longer serve you
Add new ones when life changes
Families evolve and grow, which means that your intentions can too!
5. Celebrate the wins.
Small wins are still wins, so make them count, and your year can feel like a non-stop celebration. Notice the little things: one calm morning, one heartfelt conversation, one hour spent outside, one evening where everyone slowed down together.
A year of success
Unlike resolutions that focus on what’s wrong, intentions focus on what’s right, celebrate small wins, and stay flexible, helping us grow in a positive way every day. We hope your family steps into 2026 on the right foot, feeling inspired to set small, realistic goals that help you grow together!
About the Author:
Heather Sakai has been a member of the Bright Beginnings team since early 2022, serving as the Social Media and Family Engagement Coordinator. She holds a Master of Science in Social Service Administration and a Master of Arts in Contemporary Dance from Case Western Reserve University. Heather brings experience in social work and mood disorders research, marketing and social media, as well as dance instruction for children and adults in both the United States and abroad. Passionate about connecting people through social media, Heather strives to make it a safe space to ask questions, be vulnerable, and share successes and struggles. She is also the administrator of
Cuyahoga Parents Connect and warmly invites you to join if you are a parent or caregiver of a child from birth to kindergarten, or if you are expecting a child.