Let’s talk about something I used to avoid like the junk drawer: goal setting for my blended family.

I used to think it was pointless. How do you set goals when you can’t even predict who’s going to be at the dinner table on Thursday?

But here’s what I’ve learned: blended families need meaningful, grace-filled goals more than most. Not just “be nicer” or “get along better” goals...but real, rooted intentions that anchor you when life gets messy.

Start with your ‘why’, not a wishlist.

Before you write down a single goal, ask yourself:

“What do I want our home to feel like next year?”

Peaceful? More connected? Less reactive?

For us, this question led to setting a goal around Sunday resets, not because it sounded impressive, but because we wanted a rhythm that helped everyone feel grounded before the week started.

Make goals as a team (yes, even the kids).

Your partner doesn’t need a PowerPoint presentation, but inviting them into the process builds trust. I’ve found that even our younger kids love feeling like their voice matters.

One year, we all wrote one word we wanted more of: mine was “presence,” my husband's was “patience,” and our kids came up with gems like “snacks.”

Guess what? Those simple words shaped our choices all year long.

Choose progress, not perfection.

You don’t need a color-coded chart or a master plan. You need a direction. A compass.

For example:

• If mornings are chaos, maybe the goal is one calm morning a week.

• If connection feels hard, maybe the goal is one intentional 15-minute check-in with your partner each weekend.

Tiny changes shift the atmosphere.

Put it somewhere you’ll actually see it.

We write our family goals on a sticky note and put it on the side of our fridge. (Classy, right?) You don’t need a vision board. Just a reminder of what you’re aiming for. One small glance mid-dishwashing helps you remember why you’re doing this.

Trust yourself more this year.

You don’t need to overhaul your entire life. You need a little clarity, a little consistency, and a whole lot of grace. You’re doing better than you think.

And if you’re still breathing after a year of blended family life? That already counts as success in my book.

Ready to start fresh with your family? I’ve created some simple, practical tools here, or you can book a Family Dynamics Audit for just $37 for personalized next steps. Let’s make this year the one where everything doesn’t feel quite so heavy. Follow along for encouragement and sneak peeks behind the scenes on Instagram @itsmebrittneyp.

You’ve got this, friend. Let’s make this year one of progress...not pressure.