Top 8 New Year’s Resolutions Parents 2026 - What Parents are saying Based on Previous Trends and Data

Each new year brings a chance for a fresh start – and for many American moms and dads, that means setting resolutions to become better parents and do more for their children. The parenting resolutions highlighted below are informed by 2024 and 2025 data, trends, and discussions pulled from top online sources, including national surveys, research studies, and large parenting communities.

Parenting-related goals are on the rise. A recent University of Michigan poll found that nearly half of parents set specific goals to improve their parenting, with the vast majority aiming to be more patient, more present, and healthier for their kids. Anecdotally, parents echo these themes in online communities. As one Reddit mom confessed, “I want to be a more present and patient mom... hoping to reset and be just more attentive and present with my babies.”

From nationwide surveys to heartfelt Reddit threads, certain common themes consistently emerge.

Here are the top 8 New Year’s resolutions U.S. parents are making in 2026 when it comes to their children and parenting.

1. Be More Patient (and Yell Less)

Topping the list for most parents is the resolve to practice more patience with their kids. Parenting can be stressful, and it’s easy to lose your cool – so many moms and dads want to yell less and stay calm. In a national poll, a whopping 78% of parents who set parenting goals said being more patient was one of their New Year’s resolutions. “Parents commonly set goals to become more patient,” the report notes, showing this is a nearly universal wish. Long-time parents admit they’ve made this promise to themselves year after year. For example, writer Lisa Heffernan recalls that “Every December since becoming a parent I have vowed to do better... I pledged to be more patient with my teens”.

Being patient often means finding gentler ways to discipline and reminding oneself that kids are still learning. Parents on forums frequently talk about wanting to stop the habit of snapping or nagging over little things. Instead, they plan to take a deep breath, count to ten, and respond with calm. This resolution is all about creating a more peaceful home environment. 

As one parenting columnist put it, patience is a skill that can be learned with practice – and parents are determined to practice it in 2026.

2. Put the Phone Down & Be Present

Less screen time for parents, more presence for kids – that’s another big resolution this year. Modern moms and dads are glued to their smartphones like everyone else, but many are realizing it can distract from family time. More than half of parents surveyed said they hope to spend less time on their phones in 2026. According to a University of Michigan poll, over 50% of parents set a goal to cut back on phone use and digital distractions, making this one of the top changes parents want to make. The motivation is clear: parents want to lead by example for their kids and be more engaged. Research suggests that when parents unplug and give full attention, it benefits the whole family’s emotional health.

On Reddit and parenting forums, you’ll find plenty of New Year’s posts about ditching the “doomscrolling” habit. “Be more present (less phone time, less worrying about stuff that doesn’t matter),” one Reddit user resolved for the new year. Similarly, another parent vowed to institute daily “phone-free” periods to ensure they’re truly available to their children. The consensus is that moments with our kids are precious – so put the phone down, turn off Netflix, and be in the moment. Whether it’s dinner time, play time, or just listening to a story about their day, parents are committing to giving their children more undivided attention in 2026. (As one dad quipped online: our kids deserve our full attention, not our phones!)

3. Stay Consistent with Discipline and Routines

Many parents are also resolving to be more consistent and follow through when it comes to discipline. It’s challenging to set rules and stick to them (especially when you’re tired), but consistency is key for kids’ sense of security. Nearly half of parents – “almost 60%,” according to one report – want to be more consistent with discipline in the new year. This means setting clear boundaries and enforcing them calmly and reliably, rather than giving in or changing the rules under pressure. Parenting experts note that “firm and consistent boundaries make for kids who know their place in the family and the world”, which is why this resolution resonates with so many families.

On forums, parents talk about things like sticking to bedtime routines, not letting picky eaters bend the dinner rules, or making sure both parents are on the same page with consequences. It’s all part of the goal to provide stability. For larger families, this can be even more important – one survey found parents of 3 or more kids especially prioritize improving consistency in discipline. The plan for 2026 is to choose a few important rules and hold firm to them. One parenting coach advises: “Give yourself a break and only work on a couple of limits at a time… After you decide on a priority or two, establish a reasonable limit in advance”. By narrowing their focus, parents hope to follow through better and avoid mixed messages. In short, expect moms and dads to be kindly but firmly saying, “One warning, then no more screen time – and we mean it this year!” Consistent discipline helps kids feel secure, and it’s a resolution many aim to keep.

4. Prioritize Healthy Meals and Nutrition

Healthier eating for the whole family is another common theme. Parents are resolving to improve their children’s diets – and their own – by cooking more nutritious meals, cutting back on junk food, and eating together as a family. About half of U.S. parents in one poll said they plan to “provide healthier meals and snacks” for their kids in the new year. This might mean adding more vegetables to the plate, avoiding sugary drinks, or simply cooking at home more often. The idea is to foster good habits and better health for their children. As the poll report noted, many moms and dads are focusing on both their own health and their child’s health as a top priority.

Parenting blogs and magazines are full of tips for this resolution. For example, Children’s Mercy Hospital suggests families “shake up the dinner menu” by trying one new recipe each week as a fun way to introduce healthier foods. In practice, parents on Reddit have shared goals like sneaking more greens into school lunches or instituting “Meatless Mondays.” One mom wrote that she plans to involve her kids in meal prep to make healthy eating more exciting. There’s also an emphasis on eating together at the table without devices, which ties back to being present. By making small changes – like swapping out chips for carrot sticks, or cooking baked chicken instead of ordering fried – parents hope to boost their kids’ nutrition in 2026. As an added bonus, many parents note this resolution goes hand-in-hand with saving money (fewer takeout meals) and with the next goal on the list: getting active.

5. Get Active and Exercise Together

Along with healthier eating, parents are vowing to get the family moving. In 2026, lots of moms and dads want to exercise more with their kids – not just to get in shape themselves, but to encourage an active lifestyle for the whole family. In fact, over one-third of parents (around 37%) plan to exercise with their child more regularly as a New Year’s resolution. A breakdown by Fatherly noted roughly 40% of moms and 30% of dads specifically hope to be more active with their kids in the coming year. Whether it’s weekend bike rides, family hikes, or a nightly dance party in the living room, the goal is to get off the couch and get moving together.

Parents online have shared a bunch of creative ideas for this resolution. One parent on a forum mentioned starting “Sunday hiking adventures” as a new tradition. Another said they’d dusted off their bikes to do evening rides with the kids once daylight savings brings longer days. Even simple steps count: “Set an attainable movement goal for your family – whether it’s bike rides after dinner or a dance party in your kitchen,” one family health blog suggests. The key is making it fun. We’ve heard from parents who plan to sign up for a parent-child swim class, play tag at the park each week, or use a fitness video game together. This resolution is as much about quality time as it is about exercise. By being active with their children, parents not only improve everyone’s physical health but also model healthy habits. As a Psychology Today expert observed, “Our children benefit from seeing healthy behaviors modeled... we become the parent we want to be when our bodies are stronger”.

 In 2026, families are lacing up their sneakers and making fitness a group effort.

6. Spend Quality One-on-One Time with the Kids

In our busy lives, it’s easy for quality time to slip through the cracks. That’s why many parents are resolving to carve out dedicated time for their children, especially one-on-one. This resolution goes beyond just putting the phone away – it’s about proactively scheduling moments to bond. Parents commonly mention wanting to “be more engaged” with their kids and give them undivided attention. For some, that means reading a bedtime story every night; for others, planning a weekly “daddy-daughter date” or “mom-and-son outing.” The specifics differ, but the theme is the same: make more memories together.

Even veteran parents feel this pull. Lisa Heffernan, a mother of older kids, admitted that every year she promised “to spend more time playing on the floor with my kids” when they were young. Those with school-age children might resolve to attend more school events or coach their child’s sports team. In fact, Heffernan also “swore I would volunteer at school more regularly” as a New Year’s promise. The sentiment is widely shared – a survey in 2025 found that an astounding 92% of parents would devote even more time to supporting their kids’ interests if they could. This year, many are actively planning to do just that.

Some parenting coaches suggest setting up a routine to ensure this quality time happens. For example, one approach is scheduling “special time” – 15-20 minutes of one-on-one play where the child leads the activity and the parent focuses entirely on them. Research shows even 10 minutes of undivided attention a day can strengthen parent-child bonds. As one expert put it, “Twenty minutes of one-on-one, child-directed interaction can help satisfy their need for a parent’s high-quality, undivided attention”. Parents on forums have taken this to heart, resolving to spend a few minutes each day individually with each child – no chores, no distractions, just listening or playing together. These small moments can mean the world to a child. 

In 2026, expect more parents to declare a “family game night,” tuck work away during homework time, and generally make being there for their kids a top priority.

7. Take Care of Parent Health (Self-Care for the Kids’ Sake)

Interestingly, one resolution that keeps coming up is parents vowing to improve their own health and self-care, specifically because it benefits their children. The logic is simple: a healthier parent can be more present and active, and will (hopefully) live longer to watch their kids grow up. Over half of parents (around 52%) in a national poll said they have a goal to “get healthier for their child” in the new year. This can encompass a range of personal resolutions – from exercising or losing weight, to quitting smoking or managing stress – all framed as a parenting improvement. One Reddit mom in the r/WorkingMoms community, for example, shared her plan to prioritize her fitness because hauling a toddler around had made her realize how out-of-shape she felt. Another parent finally scheduled long-postponed doctor’s appointments as part of a New Year’s promise, saying it’s time to take care of those nagging health issues for the sake of the family.

Popular parenting sites encourage this mindset. “Take small steps to take care of your health… You have to be around for a long time to love those little ones of yours, so stop pretending your health doesn’t matter,” one Parents.com article advises. It’s a warm reminder that self-care isn’t selfish – it actually makes you a better caregiver. For some, this resolution also means carving out mental health time (finally getting into therapy or practicing meditation) or simply ensuring they get enough sleep. A mom on one forum joked that her resolution was to actually use her gym membership this year, because chasing a preschooler had become her only cardio. Others talk about healthy habits like drinking more water or cutting down on alcohol, knowing that their kids are observing their example. By focusing on their own well-being, parents hope to have more energy and patience, thus looping back into Resolution #1. As Psychology Today’s parenting coach put it, taking care of your body and mind helps “be more present, and lead by example” for your kids. 

In 2026, expect parents to remember that caring for themselves is also a way of caring for their children.

8. Stop Comparing – and Drop the Parental Guilt

Last but certainly not least, many parents are resolving to be kinder to themselves in their parenting journey. This means no more destructive comparisons or excessive guilt. In the age of Instagram and Pinterest, it’s easy to feel like you’re not doing enough as a mom or dad. But parents are increasingly aware that comparing themselves to that “perfect parent” on social media (or the seemingly put-together family next door) only steals joy. “Stop comparing yourself to other parents,” advises one parenting writer – “Comparison isn’t just a thief of joy; it also requires energy, which is in short supply... Use yours for things that make you and your kids happy”. In 2026, letting go of that comparison game is a conscious resolution for a lot of families.

Hand-in-hand with this is abandoning the infamous “mom guilt” or “dad guilt.” Parents often beat themselves up over mistakes or for not being able to “do it all.” The new year is a time to reset that mindset. A lighthearted piece in Popsugar put it bluntly: “Destroy mom guilt… You are a beautiful, amazing soul who is trying your best… No childhood can be perfect, and perfect is boring anyway.”. Similarly, a Psychology Today article on parenting resolutions urges: instead of dwelling on worries and guilt, take action on what you can improve and then forgive yourself for the rest. In online discussions, parents have expressed a desire to focus on what really matters (loving the kids, keeping them safe) and not sweat the smaller imperfections. One Reddit user said her mantra for the new year is “I’m not a bad mom for ordering takeout on a hectic day” – a simple way to remind herself to let go of unnecessary guilt.

By resolving to be more confident in their own parenting style, mothers and fathers hope to reduce stress and actually enjoy parenting more. After all, a parent who isn’t constantly second-guessing themselves can be more present and joyful with their children. So, for 2026, many are saying “goodbye” to unrealistic standards. They’ll scroll past the social media highlight reels and embrace the fact that there’s no one right way to be a good parent. This resolution to stop judging oneself (and others) might not be as quantifiable as the others, but it’s deeply important for family well-being. As one expert said, the time we waste feeling guilty or inadequate is time we could spend with our kids – and that’s motivation enough to drop the guilt trip.

From more patience to fewer smartphones, healthier dinners to extra story times, these resolutions paint a picture of parents striving to be the best they can for their kids. It’s heartening to see that across forums, blogs, and surveys, moms and dads are aligned on what matters: quality time, good health, love, and understanding. Of course, no parent is perfect, and not every resolution will be kept perfectly (there will undoubtedly be missed gym days and occasional fast-food nights!). But even setting these intentions can have a positive impact. In fact, roughly 74% of parents say that making parenting resolutions has made them a better parent, and an even greater number believe it sets a good example for their children about working toward goals. In the end, the specific resolutions might differ from family to family, but the common thread is a warm and hopeful one: parents want to give their kids their best. 

Here’s to a New Year filled with growth, love, and meaningful family moments in 2026. Happy parenting – and Happy New Year!