My vision for 2026 — a year of calm, creativity, and connection. Simple goals, mindful living, and family adventures to make it our happiest year yet.

12 Family Intentions for a Calmer, More Connected Year in 2026

As another year draws to a close, I’ve been thinking about the little habits that shape our family life. Not the big moments, but the small things that make each day feel either peaceful or overwhelming.

This isn’t a list of resolutions. It’s more of a promise, to myself and to my family, about the kind of year I want us to have: calmer, kinder, and a little more connected. If this year has taught me anything, it’s that calm isn’t something that just happens, it’s something we quietly create — through the choices we make, the habits we keep, and the way we show up for each other.

Here’s what I plan to do differently in 2026.

1. The Ten-Minute Tidy That Changes Everything

There’s a certain peace that comes from knowing the house won’t swallow you whole by morning. A ten-minute tidy at certain points of the day has become my secret weapon; everyone pitches in, toys get scooped up, surfaces cleared, dishes done. It’s not about sparkling perfection; it’s about breathing space. Those ten minutes save us hours of stress later. I want the kids to see tidying not as a punishment, but as part of how we care for the place we live and the people we share it with. Ten minutes is manageable – even if we do end up with six of them.

2. Stepping Into Nature, One Walk at a Time

We’re surrounded by scenic countryside and historical gems, yet somehow we often stay indoors. This year, I want to change that. Fresh air resets everyone’s mood. The conversations flow differently when we’re outside; more laughter, more curiosity, less bickering. Whether it’s a Sunday wander, a picnic by the river, or a winter walk with hot chocolate, I want us to make nature part of our normal again. It’s the simplest route back to calm – and Barney (our dog) will be forever thankful!

3. Ready for Creativity (Without the Panic Search for Glue Sticks)

Every time the kids ask to do crafts, I realise I’ve run out of, or lost something vital; glue, paper, patience. Next year, I want to be ready. A small drawer of supplies, a box of ideas, and maybe even a few mess-friendly aprons. When I’m organised, the creative chaos becomes joyful instead of stressful. I want the kids to grow up believing creativity doesn’t have to wait for perfect conditions; it just needs space and a little preparation. Watch this space as I become the most creative creature one has ever known in 2026!

4. Letting Words Flow With Lily

Lily’s imagination has taken off this year, and I want to nurture it through creative writing. Not as a teacher with red pen in hand: just as a mum who loves stories. She often spends her time writing diary entries or creating stories about her family and friends. I want to ignite that passion further and use it to bond over our love of language. We’ll write together: silly poems, made-up adventures, half-finished ideas that make us giggle. Writing together is like catching tiny snapshots of who she is at each age, and I know I’ll treasure those pages forever.

5. Little Dates, Big Connection

Jonny and I have realised that connection doesn’t need grand gestures: it needs time. Sometimes that’s a cup of coffee once the kids are asleep; sometimes it’s a proper evening out. I’d like to protect a few small “date nights” through the year, even if they happen at home with takeaway and a film. I will need to get imaginative about how we do this, as there is only so many general knowledge quizzes AI will generate. It’s so easy to drift into being just co-parents or teammates. These moments remind us we’re still us — still partners, still friends, still the people we were 13 years ago.

6. Chores That Teach, Not Burden

This year I want Lily to take on more responsibility in a positive way. Small daily jobs, tied to pocket money and praise, can teach so much about effort, gratitude and teamwork. Lily has now got a Monzo bank account and I want her to really start appreciating the value of money. It’s not about creating mini-adults; it’s about giving her a sense of ownership and pride. Helping shouldn’t feel like punishment: it should feel like belonging.

7. Cooking Together, Growing Together

Lily’s curiosity in the kitchen is growing, and I want to nurture it. Cooking together builds confidence, patience, and practical life skills. We’ll start small — pancakes, pasta, cupcakes — and work our way up. I love the idea of her cooking a meal from start to finish one day, knowing she can create something wonderful all by herself, although admittedly, Jonny may have to lead on this one.

8. Moving More, Laughing More

I was never the sporty one. For years I thought “exercise” was for other people. But after losing a lot of weight, I finally understand how movement changes everything; not just how I look, but how I feel. I want to pass that freedom on to Lily and Noah, not through pressure or PE lessons, but through play: bike rides, swimming, garden football, dance parties in the kitchen. I want them to see movement as joy, not obligation, with the hope that, as they age, they’ll come to love and enjoy exercise as a part of their weekly routine.

9. Giving Back as a Family

I want kindness to be part of our normal, not just around Christmas but all year. Maybe it’s donating toys, baking for neighbours, or leaving surprise notes for people who need a smile. Small acts of giving teach empathy; they remind us we’re part of something bigger. I want the kids to grow up believing kindness is powerful and completely ordinary.

10. Finding Joy in Gratitude

It’s easy to rush past the good moments. I want to slow down and notice them instead. A gratitude jar feels like a lovely start; one small note every week about something that made us smile. It’s a simple habit with a huge effect. Gratitude turns ordinary days into something we can celebrate, and it helps the kids see how much we already have. When tough days come, we’ll tip out the jar and remind ourselves that joy is still here. I hope this will help us all get through the down days and super stressful times.

11. The Gift of Unplugged Time

We all need independence; time apart, away from screens and noise. Maybe Lily will draw, Noah will build, and I’ll actually read without distraction. I’ve noticed how much calmer we all are when we disconnect. It’s not about strict screen bans; it’s about giving our minds space to breathe. Jonny and I also need to make a real effort to put our phones away – this will be a challenge! A few quiet hours each week, where everyone does their own thing helps us reconnect with more patience and warmth later. Independence is a virtue, and I intend to foster it.

12. Our Little Seasonal Rituals

I love the idea of marking each season with something simple — a spring picnic, a summer walk, an autumn bake, a winter film night. It doesn’t need to be fancy; it just needs to be ours. These small rituals help time feel slower and more meaningful. They turn the year into a collection of tiny traditions the kids will hopefully carry with them; not because they were big, but because they were consistent and full of love. If you have any cute traditions that you could share, please do so below!

Final Thoughts…

I don’t want a busier year; I want a better one. A calmer home. A closer family. More little moments that add up to something lasting. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about presence. Ten minutes of tidying, one walk, one thank-you note, one family dinner without screens. Small things that quietly transform the way home feels. If you’re reading this and craving a calmer family rhythm too, maybe start with just one thing from above. Sometimes peace doesn’t arrive with a grand change; it sneaks in through the everyday moments we start treating like they matter. Wishing you all a amazing 2026 and I hope to keep you up to date with how mine goes!