7 Tips For Setting Family Values For 2026

Family values matter in today’s fast-paced world. They invite you to slow down and consider what’s actually important to you and the people you love most. 

The holidays and new year offer time for intentional reflection and goal-setting as a family. Use these seven tips to help you establish and implement family values in 2026.

Why Do I Need Family Values?

Setting family values helps create consistency and strengthens family bonds among every family member.

Family values shape:

• Behavior: How family members treat each other and others outside the family.

• Decision-making: How choices are made, from everyday routines to big life decisions.

• Traditions and culture: The habits, celebrations, and routines that reflect what the family prioritizes.

Family values act as a moral and behavioral compass, helping everyone know what’s important and how to make decisions—big or small. They provide consistency in how your family treats each other and approaches challenges.

7 Tips for Creating Family Values

As you begin to think about the family values you want to take into 2026, use these tips to create a solid plan.

1. Start with Reflection

Start by discussing past experiences, challenges, and successes as a family. This reflection time can help you point out the characteristics of the family you would like to be.

Here are some questions to ask:

• What moments brought us the most joy this year?

• When did we feel disconnected or frustrated?

• Which family traditions bring us the most joy?

• Did we achieve any family goals we set last year?

Use these reflections to identify what matters most to your family.

2. Identify Core Values Together

Family values are principles, beliefs, or standards a family collectively holds and uses to guide how they interact with each other, make decisions, and live together. It’s what your family considers most important.

Here are some examples of values:

• Honesty

• Empathy

• Gratitude

• Resilience

• Curiosity

• Respect

Together, create a list of potential values and vote as a family on the top 5–7.

3. Make Family Values Actionable

It’s one thing to say you’re going to do something and another to actually do it. How are you going to make these values actionable every day, week, and year?

Examples:

• Empathy: Weekly “kindness check-ins”

• Gratitude: Daily sharing of one thing each person is thankful for

• Respect: Listening without interrupting

• Curiosity: Trying new activities as a family

• Teamwork: Cooking meals together

• Generosity: Donating items, time, or money to those in need

A visual reminder in your home can help keep everyone accountable. 

4. Involve Everyone

It’s not fair for one person to decide the family values for everyone else. The entire family needs to be involved—kids, teens, and parents. Each family member’s voice matters. 

5. Incorporate Family Values into Daily Life

Remember how we said your values have to be actionable? Now it’s time to incorporate them into your daily life.

Use meal times, chores, bedtime routines, travel, and holidays as opportunities to reinforce family values. Role-modeling and habit-setting by parents is key. Kids aren’t going to be the ones to take initiative! 

6. Revisit and Adjust Regularly

Schedule quarterly or semi-annual check-ins to see how the family is living its values. Celebrate small wins when someone demonstrates a value in action.

Be flexible—values may evolve as kids grow and family dynamics shift. Is everyone still on the same page about your family values?

7. Lead with Positivity

Focus on building up and celebrating strengths rather than criticizing weaknesses. Use family values to guide problem-solving rather than punishment. They are meant to support character development, not punishing or controlling family members.

Create Your Family Values

Family values create connection, clarity, and a sense of purpose among every member. Spend the holiday season and new year reflecting on the things that matter most to you all. Start your 2026 by defining the values that will guide your family toward a meaningful year.

FAQs About Setting Family Values

Can children help set family values?

Yes! Involving children ensures they feel ownership and understand what the family stands for. Tailor discussions to their age, and encourage them to share examples of values in action.

How do we make values actionable?

Turn abstract concepts into concrete behaviors. For example, if kindness is a value, you could do weekly acts of kindness together or practice saying encouraging words daily.

What if family members disagree on values?

Use open communication, active listening, and compromise. Focus on finding shared values everyone can support rather than trying to enforce individual preferences.

How do family values impact children’s development?

Children who grow up in families with clear values are more likely to develop strong character, emotional intelligence, and the ability to make ethical decisions. It doesn’t matter what the values are, as long as they are at the forefront of how they are raised.