It’s hard enough to get the kids off to school, take part in the busy workday, while still keeping up with homework and maintaining an orderly household. Sometimes you feel as if you’re being reactive instead of proactive when it comes to holding everything down and there’s not enough time in the day to implement any changes. As 2025 is winding down, this is a good time as any to lay out a list of opportunities that could have been lacking this year. The good news is that you don’t have to share the burden by yourself and the entire family unit can take part, no matter the ages of the children. By getting the family budget in order, scheduling regular checkups, reducing screen times, decluttering, and sharing the chores burden, these parenting tips can be top priority to avoid losing track of and begin 2026 with a newfound outlook on implementing changes that can last for years to come.
Get the Family Budget in Order
Excessive spending around the holidays is common, often sending a shock through the household when the credit card statement comes in. While this is only temporary and costs are often unavoidable, it’s the spending the rest of the year that can really set the stage for available funds this time of year. Before 2026 arrives in full force, now is the time to get the family budget in order. Start by listing all the regular monthly expenses, not only including mortgage, car, insurance, and utilities, but don’t forget to factor in the many subscriptions as well. Once you see everything on one page, you can go through line by lineand see if they’re needed. From there, try and set a realistic spending amount for gas, groceries, and discretionary spending with the hope that there’s extra funds leftover at the end of the month to put towards debt payoff and savings contributions.
Schedule Regular Checkups
No one likes going to the doctor but simply putting off because you don’t want to go does not solve the preventative care gap you may currently face. If you’re in need of filling the healthcare deductible by year end, or have already met the limit, scheduling preventative care checkups are needed for your primary care doctor, dentist, and vision specialist. Having growing children can mean that dental work is coming due and almost impossible to avoid. If there work that is needed, the good news is that the family budget does not have to go off the rails and get hit with the financial burden. By having dental financing options available, you can get treatments now and pay back over time with lower installment payments.
Reduce Screen Times
Staying off phones and tablets doesn’t just have to be for the kids, but something the whole family probably needs a reminderto reduce screen times. Not only can the family dynamic improve by keeping heads up and having to interact with each other, but this can also create more quality time with memories to last a lifetime. Try setting time limits on social media, texting, and games, especially around dinner time. We are so consumed with daily responsibilities that when we do come together as a family after school and work, it’s only a couple hours a day before bedtime, so it’s best to avoid spending that time sitting behind a screen. Not only can that incorporate more family bonding by staying present, but it can open up time to spend on boosting physical activity, while improving sleep quality by being able to properly wind down at the end of the night.
Join the Declutter Movement Together
It may be part of the weekly routine to keep the house tidy, but you may soon find space running short this time of year when new gifts are coming in. Now is a good time to go through drawers, closets, and storage areas to see what can be thrown out or donated to clear out extra room. As you’re pulling out what to go through, create three different piles to determine whether to keep, donate, or throw out. Having family, friends, or neighbors with small children can be good opportunity to pass on stuffed animals, clothes, and toys that are no longer a part of your growing child’s life but could be happy seeing the toy it brings to others. You may be surprised at how many garbage bags you can find just by spending a couple hours sifting through. Once you’ve gotten these areas accomplished, the next priority can be focusing on the garage and attic areas that likely need attention.
Share the Chores Burden
While the kids may be too young to pass on the lawn cutting duties, there are still opportunities to get the entire family involved to share the chores burden. Something as simple as keeping clothes picked up and not turned inside out can help in laundry folding. Loading the dishwasher and cleaning up crumbs can help with parents constantly having to keep the kitchen and dining area picked up. Try making a list of all the weekly chores and create a board with names assigned, along with days/times can help with responsibility and holding each family member accountable in keeping the household cleaned and organized. Especially for those looking to earn an allowance, this can be a good steppingstone to get involved in the family responsibilities.
