10 Parenting Goals and Resolutions

Looking for help in parenting? Check out this list of 10 popular parenting goals and resolutions, and realistic advice to support you. From reorganizing toys to holding better boundaries, this is the list to read as you head into the new year.

Do you have parenting goals for 2026?

Maybe you call them resolutions.
Maybe it’s a checklist.
Maybe it’s a “must-do before preschool or kindergarten starts” kind of year.

Whatever you’re calling them – you’re not alone.

I’m hearing from so many families right now about parenting goals they want to tackle in 2026. That new year, new you energy is powerful.

If this is the year you’re:
• diving into potty training
• sending someone off to school
• or finally building a screen time routine that works

I’ve been there and I’d love to share how things look or looked for my family. Sometimes, just hearing another person’s thoughts or experiences is enough to jump start our own process. Plus, I never want you to feel like you have to go it alone.

In this post, I’m sharing my answers and ways to support the 10 most common parenting goals I hear this time of year. I hope these help shed a little light as you support your family in 2026.

1. Have a more organized home

I’m deep in decluttering mode this time of year – you too? After 10+ years of parenting, I’ve found systems that actually work for kid stuff: art, LEGO, games, bookshelves, and more. Check out how I organize our indoor toys in this post without using a toy rotation.

In the mood to tackle outdoor toy storage too? Have a look at my organization setup outside.

2. Create a better screen time routine

Screen time doesn’t have to feel like a daily battle. If you’re ready to shift the energy around screens and find a rhythm that works for everyone, this post is for you.

We use screens in my family. Always have, always will. This post gives you an example of how to use and manage screens in a way that benefits the whole family.

3. Get kids playing more

Some kids play independently with ease. Some… do not. If you hear “come play!” all day (because it’s not like you have dishes, emails, or laundry…), I’ve been there. Independent play is a skill kids can learn… with support.

This post shows you how to teach this skill in a step-by-step format.

4. Finally tackle potty training

Before you take off on this journey, read about how potty training went for my family. See what we did, what I learned, and what I wished I’d known heading into this game. It’s a totally free guide that’s been used by tens of thousands of families.

Have a semi-potty trained kid who might need a little help learning to wipe? I’ve got you covered on that, too.

5. Transition from naps to quiet time

Quiet time saved my sanity when naps ended. It took consistency and strong boundaries (I didn’t get it right at first!), but it was so worth it to get my kids to enjoy quiet time afternoons. This post walks you through how to build quiet time into your routine.

Looking for more ideas of what kids can do during quiet time? Here’s a list of things I set out for my kids in their “quiet time basket.”

6. Get kids to clean with you

May 2026 be the year your kids learn to clean up their toys. Will they do it perfectly? Nope. Kids don’t naturally understand how to tidy a space – we have to scaffold that skill.

This post shows you how to change the clean up routine and system in your family so you aren’t the default cleaner.

7. Build more family connection

Not all goals are checklists. If your family feels swept up in hustle and missing that cozy, connected feeling, you’re not alone. Building strong family bonds doesn’t just happen. It takes intentional parenting.

In this post, I share our favorite ways to slow down and reconnect.

8. Spend time learning together

I hear so often from parents worried about their child’s academic success. Whether the child is a toddler, starting kindergarten, or in 5th grade, supporting skill development is almost constantly on our minds.

My biggest piece of advice? Help your child fall in love with learning. Raising curious, inquisitive kids who are hungry for knowledge is so much more important than memorizing ABCs or rattling off all 50 states.

I wrote Playing Preschool to instill this love of learning in the early years and seeing its success in homes around the world continues to be one of my greatest joys. In 2025, I released Branches, my elementary home learning curriculum, for families who want a hands-on, discovery-based approach in the later years.

If growing your child’s knowledge is one of your resolutions, these programs were written for you.

9. Build more consistent boundaries

Are you struggling with negotiations at home? Lots of push back all day long? Finding the balance between “hold the boundary” and “offer choices for buy in” is important to unpack in today’s world of parenting.

This brand new post dives deep into why boundaries matter in my parenting and how I use them for my family – in concrete, specific ways.

10. Prepare for kindergarten

One of the biggest transitions for many families this year: releasing a kid into the world. As a former kindergarten teacher and a parent who sent someone off to kindergarten, I have seen both sides and understand the drive to “prep” this spring.

This post is full of all my advice and thoughts – and might not quite be what you’re expecting,

What will you focus on this year?

Phew, what a list!

Will you tackle all of these goals in 2026? Of course not.

But I sure hope a few of these posts are helpful on your family journey this year. Unlike “hitting the gym” or “reading 25 books”, parenting resolutions are deeply personal. Emotional. A daily challenge.

I want nothing more than to help you see that you’re not alone on this path and that there’s encouragement on the days that hit hard. Here’s to a year of supporting our kids, building meaningful family connection, and feeling confident in our parenting. Together.

Susie Allison, M. Ed

Susie Allison is a former elementary school teacher with a Master’s in Early Childhood Education. She’s also the creator of Busy Toddler with more than 3 million followers across social media. Susie is the author of the popular Playing Preschool curriculum and recently launched Branches, her elementary-level homeschool program. For more than a decade, Susie has been a trusted voice online in parenting and education.