Real parents share their New Year’s parenting resolutions for 2026 — from self-care to just surviving

From spending more time with the kids to letting go of perfection, these are the New Year’s resolutions real mums are making.

Joyful mother with two young girls holding golden “2026” numbers during a festive outdoor moment.

Published: December 31, 2025 at 10:06 AM

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The new year is traditionally a time for reflection on the past year and looking forward to the year ahead, and that doesn’t exclude parents. Mums and dads might have goals around their work life, their health and fitness, and their relationships — but what are they thinking about when it comes to parenting new years’ resolutions?

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We’ve compiled a list of ideas for your new years’ parenting resolutions, including real parents’ goals from our MadeForMums community.

Here’s what real parents are wanting to focus on and do less of in 2026.

Do more varied activities with the kids

My resolution is to do more with the baby! He will be 1 in January, and we have never done swimming or a baby group.

MadeForMums Club member Lauren

Varying the types of play that babies and children do can be helpful for their development — but this doesn’t have to be hard or expensive.

The NHS suggests water play, reading to your baby, playing with sock puppets, and going for walks as easy, cheap ways to enrich your baby’s play.

MadeForMums also has handy lists of sensory play activity ideas for babies under one, as well as indoor play games for 6- to 12-month-olds.

Spend more time with the kids

My resolution is to make the most of every day of the rest of maternity leave, before I go back to work in June.

MadeForMums Club member Steffi

Laura also says, “I have decided I’m going to take until at least September, if not until 2027, off work to focus on my son and to do some things with him.”

It obviously depends on your work and family situations, but your children will only want to spend more time with their favourite people!

Get out of the house more

I’d like to get both kids out each weekend for walks/ bike/scooter rides. Not just for them but for my mental health too, as I feel trapped in the 4 walls at present!

MadeForMums Club member Laura

It can be hard to rally everyone to get out into the cold during the winter months, but getting outside is great for kids’ physical and mental wellbeing — as well as parents’!

According to the Kids’ Mental Health Foundation, being outside has the following benefits for children:

Family Walking Through Winter Woodland Having Fun

Again, this doesn’t have to be expensive — here’s our list of the best UK attractions for families that won’t break the bank.

Take some time for yourself

I want to do things that don’t involve household chores to get back to feeling like myself and not the maid!

MadeForMums Club member Laura

Taking some time for yourself is important for parents. It gives you a much-needed break to take a step back, recharge, and come back better for your children.

The Mental Health Foundation says that it can also be good for children to have some time alone, and also that it is okay to relax rules on screen time to give you a chance to rest, work, or exercise.

Find work that fits around childcare

I want to find a new and better paid job after graduating university, hopefully remote or hybrid so I can spend more time with the little one, especially because nurseries are so expensive.

MadeForMums Club member Ale

The Institute of Family Studies found that 68% of mums with young children were in the labour force in 2024, with 15% working part time. They also found that mums who work from home spend significantly more time with their young children than mums who work in-person in a dedicated work space — over six hours with their children as opposed to under four for mums who worked outside the home.

Stop comparing yourself to other parents

If you can’t do anything on this list, don’t stress. Sometimes our parenting is determined by our work schedules and other commitments, and that’s okay.

It can be helpful to mute certain parent group chats, unfollow anyone who makes you feel bad on social media, and stop turning to chatrooms and social media for advice ro guidance.

One new years’ resolution every parent should have is to stop comparing themselves to others — there’s no such thing as a perfect parent, so as long as you’re doing your best, there’s no pressure!

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Kirstie sums it all up nicely:

I don't really do new year's resolutions... life is hard enough without extra pressure. I am firmly in the 'doing my best and trying to survive these kids' stage!

MadeForMums Club member Kirstie

Authors

Serafina Kenny journalist headshot

Serafina KennyDigital Journalist

Serafina Kenny is a Digital Journalist at MadeForMums. She writes news and features and has expertise in health, nutrition, relationships, and history. She has previously written for Business Insider, Women's Health, Stylist, Men's Health US, The i Paper, Dazed, and more. You can contact her with tips and story ideas (or compliments!) at serafina.kenny@immediate.co.uk.

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