Starting the New Year With Intention

January always catches me off-guard. One minute I’m tripping over discarded wrapping paper and trying to remember which relative gave which child which toy, and the next minute the world is buzzing about resolutions, vision boards, and fresh starts. Meanwhile, I’m just trying to locate matching socks for my boys and convince them that candy is not a breakfast food.

Even in the chaos of raising little ones, beginning the year with intention feels important. The trick is choosing goals that are realistic for families like mine – families where mornings are loud, shoes are always missing, and someone inevitably spills something right when you’re trying to leave the house. Big dramatic resolutions rarely stick, but simple, such as choosing what I call our family’s “weekly reset.” Nothing fancy or elaborate – just a small weekly tradition that brings everyone together. For us, it started with Saturday pancakes.

No matter how wild the week gets, we all know that on Saturday morning dad will be flipping pancakes, (mostly round, occasionally lopsided), and sitting down together. Sometimes, we’re all still in pajamas, sometimes the boys are bouncing in and out of their chairs, but it’s ours. Whether your family leans toward Friday movie nights or after-dinner walks, picking a simple ritual helps everyone feel grounded without adding stress.

Instead of overhauling the entire household, I focus on one area of family life to simplify. Last year, it was school mornings, which had become a daily scramble of snack-packing, sock-finding, and negotiations that could rival international diplomacy. We made a few small changes – laying out clothes at night, packing backpacks before bed – and somehow everything felt lighter.

This year, I’m tackling weekend night dinners. If I can manage to plan even three meals ahead, I consider it a win. Focusing on one bite-sized improvement means I don’t burn out by mid-January. The kids actually love helping to shape our family goals. I used to think resolutions were just for adults, but even little ones can share what they want more of in the new year. When I asked my boys, one said, “more park days,” and the other said, “more dance parties.” Easy enough.

We added both to our family list, alongside my husband’s request for more time outside, and my desire for at least a tiny pocket of calm each week. Letting the kids contribute not only gives them ownership, but reminds me that their priorities (fun, connection, movement) are often the ones we forget as grown-ups.

None of these goals matter much if the parents are running on empty. Carving out small moments to recharge isn’t selfish,

it’s essential. Whether it’s slipping out for a solo walk, reading a few pages of a book before bed, or sitting in the car for two extra minutes before going inside, those tiny resets add up. When I take those moments, I’m a kinder, calmer version of myself, and the whole house feels the difference.

Life with little kids is unpredictable, so I try to follow what I call the 80 percent rule. If we manage to stick to our family goals most of the time, great. If a week goes off the rails, which it often does, we simply start again the next one. Kids don’t need perfect routines or perfectly motivated parents. They just need us to keep showing up.

As we step into a new year, don’t worry about reinventing your whole life. Choose one or two simple goals that bring more ease and joy into your home. Embrace the messy, magical season you’re in. The best family resolutions aren’t about doing more. They’re about doing what matters most with the little people we’re lucky enough to raise.

Go make your own family “reset” traditions and enjoy the New Year. Happy 2026, and God Bless!

By Cheryl Thode