Setting Family Goals for the New Year
As the new year begins, January is a natural time for families to pause, take a breath and think about what they would like the months ahead to look like. After the busy build up to Christmas and the excitement of the holidays, many families find that January offers a quieter moment to reset. It is a chance to slow things down, take stock of the past year, celebrate achievements and gently think about areas where family life could feel a little calmer, happier or more manageable.
At CHEXS, we work closely with families throughout the year, and we know that no two families are the same. There is no one size fits all approach to family life or goal setting. However, creating shared family goals can help give everyone a sense of direction, strengthen relationships and support children and young people to feel involved, listened to and valued.
Why Family Goals Matter
Family goals are not about being perfect or putting pressure on everyone to change overnight. Instead, they are about creating a shared vision for the year ahead. When families agree on what they want to work towards together, it can improve communication, reduce conflict and help everyone feel more connected.
Children and young people often feel more secure when they understand what their family values and what they are working towards. Goal setting can also be especially helpful for families who have had a challenging year. Many of the families we support at CHEXS have faced additional pressures such as changes in school, health concerns, financial stress or emotional wellbeing challenges. Taking time to recognise these experiences and then focus on small, achievable goals can help rebuild confidence and a sense of hope.
Reflecting On The Year Just Gone
Before setting new goals, it can be helpful for families to reflect on the past year together. This does not need to be a formal exercise, and, for many children, it works best when it feels fun and relaxed. It could be a chat around the dinner table, during a walk along the River Lea, or while enjoying a hot chocolate or warm drink curled up on the sofa.
To make reflection more engaging for children, families could turn it into a creative or playful activity. Younger children might enjoy drawing pictures of their favourite moments from the year, such as a family day out, a holiday, or something they felt proud of. These drawings can then be used as prompts for conversation.
Another idea is to play a simple game. Families could take turns pulling questions out of a jar or bowl, answering one at a time so no one feels put on the spot. Coloured paper or cards can also work well, with each colour representing something different, for example, green for happy memories, yellow for proud moments and blue for things that felt tricky.
Try This at Home
Set aside 10 to 15 minutes for a family reflection game. Write or draw one thing that made you smile last year, one thing you felt proud of, and one thing you found tricky. Place them in a bowl and take turns sharing. There are no right or wrong answers, and children can talk, draw or simply point if that feels easier for them.
You might want to talk about questions such as:
What went well for our family last year?
What were we proud of?
What felt difficult or stressful?
What helped us get through tough moments?
Encourage everyone, including younger children, to share their thoughts in ways that suit them. Some children may prefer talking, while others might express themselves better through drawing or play. This helps children feel listened to and teaches them that their opinions matter. It can also help families recognise strengths they may not always notice, such as resilience, teamwork, kindness and emotional wellbeing.
The Benefits of Setting Goals Together
Setting goals as a family rather than individually can have many benefits. It encourages teamwork and shared responsibility, and helps children learn important life skills such as planning, problem solving and perseverance. Working towards something together can also feel more motivating and enjoyable than trying to make changes alone.
Family goals can also support emotional well-being. When families agree to prioritise things like spending quality time together, improving communication or supporting one another, it can strengthen relationships and reduce feelings of isolation. This can be particularly important during the winter months, when shorter days and colder weather can affect mood and energy levels.
A Simple Framework for Family Goal Setting
Keeping goals realistic and achievable is key. At CHEXS, we often encourage families to use a simple framework that focuses on clarity, involvement and flexibility.
1. Choose a few key areas
Rather than setting lots of goals, it is often more effective to focus on two or three key areas. These might include family time and relationships, health and wellbeing, learning and routines, or community and local involvement.
For example, some families might decide they want to spend more quality time together at weekends, while others may want to focus on creating smoother morning routines for school days.
2. Make goals specific and realistic
Vague goals can be hard to achieve. Turning them into something more specific can make them feel manageable. Instead of saying “we want to spend more time together”, you might agree to plan one shared family activity each week, such as a walk around Cedars Park, a visit to the local library, or a board game evening at home.
It is important to think about what is realistic for your family. Work patterns, school commitments and energy levels all play a part. Small steps are often more sustainable than big changes.
3. Involve everyone
Including children and young people in the goal-setting process helps them feel ownership and responsibility. Ask them what they would like to work on as a family and what support they might need. This can be particularly helpful for children who may struggle with confidence or emotional regulation, as it reinforces that they are part of a team.
4. Write goals down
Writing goals down and displaying them somewhere visible can act as a gentle reminder. This could be on the fridge, a noticeboard or in a family notebook. Some families enjoy creating a simple vision board using drawings or pictures, which can turn goal-setting into a fun and creative activity.
5. Review and adapt
Goals are not set in stone. Life can change quickly, and it is important to review goals regularly. This might be once a month or at the end of each school term. Celebrate progress, even if goals have not been fully achieved, and adjust plans if needed.
Examples of family goals for January
Every family is different, but here are some examples of goals that families may find helpful at the start of the year:
Spending one afternoon a week doing a low-cost local activity, such as visiting a park or library.
Creating a calmer bedtime routine to support better sleep for children and parents.
Agreeing on screen-free family time during meals.
Encouraging open conversations about feelings and emotions.
Getting involved in community activities or events.
Supporting Children and Young People
Children and young people can experience mixed emotions at the start of a new year. Some may feel excited, while others may feel anxious about school, friendships or changes ahead. Family goals can provide reassurance, structure and stability during this time.
Encouraging children to set personal goals alongside family goals can also be helpful. These might relate to school, hobbies or wellbeing. The focus should always be on encouragement and effort, rather than pressure or perfection.
Try This at Home: Supporting Year 6 Transitions
For families with children in Year 6, this year can feel like a particularly big one. Moving from primary to secondary school is a major transition, and it is normal for children and parents to feel a mix of excitement and worry.
There are small things parents can start doing now to help children feel more confident about the changes ahead:
Talk openly about secondary school and encourage questions, even if you do not have all the answers Practise independence skills, such as organising school bags, managing homework time, or getting ready in the morning Support emotional wellbeing by normalising worries and reminding children that feeling nervous about change is okay Focus on strengths, helping children recognise what they are good at and what has helped them cope with challenges in the past
Building these skills gradually can help children feel more prepared and supported as they move towards the next stage of their education.
When Things Feel Challenging
For some families, January can feel overwhelming. Financial pressures after Christmas, mental health challenges or ongoing family difficulties can make goal setting feel unrealistic. If this is the case, it is important to be kind to yourself.
Goals do not need to be big. Sometimes the goal might simply be to get through the month with more support, understanding and routine. Reaching out for help is a positive step and does not mean you are failing as a family.
How CHEXS Can Support You
At CHEXS, our family services are here to support families across our local community. We offer a range of support, including family sessions, parenting workshops and opportunities for children and young people to build confidence and resilience.
If your family would benefit from extra support with communication, routines, emotional wellbeing or setting realistic goals, our team is here to help. We work alongside families, listening to their experiences and supporting them to make positive changes at their own pace.
Moving Forward Together
The start of a new year is not about perfection. It is about progress, connection and hope. By taking time to reflect and set family goals together, families can create a shared sense of purpose and strengthen the foundations for the year ahead.
Whether your goals are big or small, what matters most is working together and supporting one another. If you would like to find out more about our family services or access support, please visit CHEXS.co.uk or get in touch with our team.
Together, we can support families to move forward with confidence into the new year.
