LaborPress| Kerri O’Brien | January 2, 2026
For union families, strength has always started at home. The conversations around the kitchen table—about work schedules, school, bills, and big decisions—are where resilience is built. As we begin planning for 2026, the most important step in creating family health goals isn’t a workout plan or a meal schedule. It’s the conversation.
Too often, health goals feel individual and isolating. One person decides to “get healthier,” while everyone else watches from the sidelines. Family health goals flip that script. They recognize that health is shared—impacted by routines, stress, support, and access to care. When families talk openly about health, goals become realistic, motivating, and sustainable.
Start with Listening, Not Fixing
The best family health goals begin by asking questions, not issuing directives. Try starting with simple prompts:
- What feels hardest right now?
- Where do we feel rushed, stressed, or run down?
- What would help our days feel more balanced?
These conversations work best when everyone—kids included—feels heard. The goal isn’t to solve everything in one night. It’s to build trust and awareness.
Define What “Healthy” Means for Your Family
Health looks different for every household. For some, it’s more movement. For others, it’s better sleep, less stress, or finally scheduling preventive care that’s been put off.
Union families face unique demands—long shifts, physical labor, rotating schedules, and financial pressures. Family health goals should reflect real life, not social media perfection. A shared walk after dinner, one home-cooked meal a week, or a commitment to unplug during meals can be powerful starting points.
Make It a Team Effort
When goals are shared, accountability feels supportive—not punitive. Families that succeed tend to:
- Choose 2–3 goals max
- Write them down and post them somewhere visible
- Revisit them monthly without guilt or blame
Health goals should evolve as life changes. Flexibility isn’t failure—it’s sustainability.
Connect Goals to Your Union Benefits
Union members have fought hard for strong health benefits. A meaningful family goal for 2026 might be simply using what’s already available: annual physicals, mental health resources, wellness programs, or preventive screenings.
When families take advantage of these benefits, they protect their long-term health while strengthening the value of union-negotiated care for everyone.
Why This Matters Beyond Your Home
Healthy families support healthier unions. When members feel supported at home, they show up stronger at work, more engaged in their locals, and better equipped to lead. These small family conversations ripple outward—building stability, solidarity, and sustainability across the labor movement.
As you start planning for 2026, remember: the most powerful health goal you can set is creating space to talk, listen, and move forward together.
