How I Stay Present with My Kids Through Goal Setting

The other night, Avram and I played a quick game of Qwirkle after the boys went to bed. Normally, we keep score, tallying up points and quietly (or not so quietly) competing with each other. But this time, I didn’t want to bother with paper and pens (which, let’s be honest, are basically contraband in a house with toddlers). So I said, “Let’s just play for fun. No points.”

It was fun… at first.

But by the end, something felt off. We realized we were just placing random tiles, not really thinking about our moves. There was no strategy, no big moments. We were chatting more than playing, and I found myself kind of… disengaged.

That game reminded me of something that shows up in real life too: when you’re not keeping score, when you don’t have something you’re aiming for, things start to feel aimless, and that includes parenting.

In this blog, I want to share how goal setting helps me be present with my kids. From setting work boundaries to letting go of other people’s goals, here’s how I’ve been learning to design a life that includes the people I love most.

How a Simple Game Night Changed My Perspective on Goals

Playing Qwirkle without keeping score taught me something I didn’t expect: when you remove the goal, you remove the meaning.

We weren’t aiming for anything that night. So we didn’t try very hard. We didn’t think ahead. We didn’t celebrate little wins like we usually do. It was still fun, but it was just kind of… floating.

And I realized that this happens in life, too.

Without something to aim at, even good routines start to feel flat. You go through the motions, but there’s no spark. That’s how parenting, business, fitness—everything—can start to feel when you don’t have a goal in mind.

I remember telling Avram, I got what I wanted, we didn’t keep score but I kind of missed the competition. Turns out, I actually like knowing I could beat him.

That moment reminded me how much I thrive when there’s a goal involved. Even a playful one. It brings focus, energy, and joy. And when I apply that same idea to family life, everything shifts.

Why Goal Setting Creates the Space to Be Present with My Kids

One of the clearest personal goals Avram and I set this year was ending the workday by 1 or 2 PM.

It wasn’t easy at first. There’s always more to do when you run a business. But setting boundaries changed everything for us, especially for me as a mom.

Because when work ends early, I’m not still halfway “in” my to-do list when my kids are asking me to play. I’m not rushing bedtime because I still need to send emails. I’m just there.

Presence, I’ve learned, doesn’t magically appear when you have more time. It shows up when you create room in your day. Set goals around work hours and protect them, and you make space for your children’s lives.

Presence is a powerful process, and goal setting is the first step toward giving your full attention to the people who matter most.

How Letting Go of “Should” Goals Helped Me Focus on What Matters

I’ve chased a lot of “should” goals in my journey.

I should grow the business faster.I should be more active on social media.I should decorate my house like that mom I follow online.

And you know what? Most of those goals weren’t even mine. They were borrowed from the world, from pressure, from the doubt that creeps in when you compare your life to someone else’s highlight reel.

I said this in the podcast, and I still stand by it: “Anything that comes after ‘should’ is probably not yours.”

Letting go of “should” goals helped me focus on my own dreams—being with my kids, running a business that reflects my values, and building a life that feels honest and doable.

If you’re feeling stretched thin or unmotivated, maybe it’s time to reflect on your goals. Do they belong to you? Or are they someone else’s definition of success?

Tracking My Goals Helps Me Stay Focused and Intentional

A few years ago, I joined a transformation challenge at the gym. It came with specific goals, a set timeline, and body scans to measure progress. And something wild happened—I pushed harder than I ever had.

I lifted more. I showed up consistently. I looked forward to exercise. Why? Because I was tracking it.

Knowing what I was aiming for made every effort feel meaningful.

The same thing applies to parenting. When I track goals that center around my kids, like planning screen-free evenings or budgeting for a family trip, I show up differently. I move with purpose. I stay grounded in the present.

You don’t need a fancy app. Even a sticky note with one goal—something tied to your values—can help you stay focused and move in the right direction.

Examples of Family Goals You Can Track

Setting family goals can help create stronger connections and lasting memories. Here are a few examples to inspire you:

• One screen-free evening a week
• Daily “present time” with each child
• Save $50/month for a family experience
• Put phones away after 6 PM

These small goals might not seem like much. But in the long run, they lead to consistent, meaningful moments with your children, and that’s an incredible gift.

How Aligned Goals Help Me Design the Life I Want

When Avram and I started aligning our life goals with the rhythm we wanted, things changed.

Instead of chasing vague milestones like “grow the business,” we asked: What do we want our days to look like?

That’s how the early work cutoff came to be. It’s why we prioritize afternoons at the park, unhurried dinners, and slow walks home from preschool.

Our personal experience showed us: alignment matters.

Our goals didn’t just help us hit numbers. They helped us build a rhythm that feels like us.

Fulfillment doesn’t come from checking more boxes. It comes from choosing goals that reflect the kind of life you want to live, with space for your family in it.

How I Measure What Matters Most to My Family

One of the most helpful shifts I’ve made is looking at where our time and money go—and asking, “Does this match what we say we care about?”

It’s not always easy to admit when it doesn’t. But it’s a way to overcome the gap between intention and reality.

If I say my kids matter mo
st, but my calendar is full of everything else, something’s off.

Here are a few questions I ask myself regularly:

• What’s on my calendar this week that reflects my values?
• Am I investing in my kids’ emotional growth—or just their schedules?
• What gets my best energy each day?

You don’t need to track everything. But keeping score can help you spot the course corrections you need to make before small misalignments become big regrets.

Why Small Goals Help Me Stay Present and Motivated

Let’s be real: I don’t have a five-year plan. Most days, I’m just trying to make it to sleep with love, patience, and maybe enough energy to watch half a show with Avram.

But I do have small goals.

I block time for the park.I unplug by 6 PM (most nights).

I sit down once a week to plan our meals and outings.

These little choices help me accomplish what matters. They give me permission to slow down, spend time on the right things, and feel like I’m making consistent progress in the kind of parent I want to be.

You don’t need a massive goal to change your life. You just need one thing: a clear first step.

Building a Life That Includes Presence as a Success Metric

That night of Qwirkle reminded me: it’s not about perfection. It’s about presence.

Presence doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a practice. It’s created through boundaries, through tracking, through choosing what matters and letting the rest go.

We all want to be good parents, good partners, good people. But what if the real measure of success wasn’t just how much we got done, but how much of ourselves we gave to the people who matter most?

So here’s your invitation:

Write down one small, values-aligned goal this week. Make it specific. Make it simple. Make it about your future self—and the future you’re building for your family.

Because presence isn’t just a moment. It’s a daily decision. A way of being. And you get to lead that change, one intentional step at a time.

If this resonates, we dive deeper into this story in Episode 87 of the Babies & Business Podcast. We talk more about goal setting and how being intentional with your time can change the way you show up for your work, your kids, and yourself.