As a stay-at-home mom of two energetic toddlers, I often find myself caught up in a whirlwind of daily commands: “No, you can’t eat candy for breakfast,” “Please pick up your toys,” “Applesauce is not finger paint!” and “Put your pants back on!” My days are filled with these repetitive requests while juggling the chaos of toddler life. From tantrums to sibling squabbles, laughter and tears often happen simultaneously. Amidst my constant reminders and pleas for them to take a bath or just one bite of dinner, I sometimes feel like I’m just background noise.
Then, at the end of the day, my husband, Ryan, swoops in. The moment he walks through the door, my kids’ faces light up with joy. They greet him with hugs and laughter that I haven’t seen all day. The kicker? One simple request from him results in them cleaning up the toys I’ve been nagging about and happily eating their dinner. They even jump into the bath without hesitation as long as Dad is the one supervising.
In my children’s eyes, I’m the strict parent—the “fun police.” I know this is part of the job, but I can’t help but wish for a taste of the adoration they shower on Ryan. He works all day, leaving just a few hours of family time, while I’m the constant presence, maintaining order and teaching them to be responsible individuals.
Then came the day I decided to embrace a different approach. I committed to a “yes” day—a day where I would say yes to almost everything my kids asked for. I envisioned a day filled with fun and affection, and here’s how it unfolded:
When my 2-year-old, Leo, woke up and dashed to the pantry for his beloved junk food, I typically would have said no to his request for marshmallows. But on this special morning, I surprised him with two. The sheer delight on his face made it worth the indulgence—I even joined in and indulged myself.
Next up was breakfast, and when the boys requested to eat their cereal in front of the TV, I happily obliged. I kicked back with a hot cup of coffee while they enjoyed their breakfast without any complaints. A touch of relaxation was a welcome change.
When I asked what they wanted to do, their enthusiastic response was “Animals!”—toddler speak for a trip to the zoo. Forget the toy cleanup; we dashed out the door without a second thought. What a liberating feeling!
Our zoo adventure was a blast, filled with animals, snacks like cotton candy, and those delightful plastic animal toys. I could see why grandparents are so adored.
Lunch was a breeze with McDonald’s Happy Meals—French fries, chicken nuggets, and a toy—perfect for this spontaneous day. No more negotiating over food choices that would inevitably be refused.
After lunch and some much-needed naptime, we treated ourselves to ice cream—because, why not? We savored every moment outside, trying to lick our cones before they melted, and the sticky aftermath was a testament to our fun.
We even made a stop at the park, letting the boys run free without the pressure of a ticking clock. I let them play until they decided they were done, enjoying the fresh air without worrying about dinner time.
As evening approached, I asked them what they wanted for dinner, and their requests of macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, applesauce, and cookies sounded perfect. No meal prep stress for me today!
When it came to bath time, I usually dread the struggle, but on this day, I let it slide. Maybe I’d catch them later with a wet wipe. They played freely, leaving toys strewn across the living room, but I didn’t care. I immersed myself in their world, playing dinosaurs together without a thought for the mess.
Reflecting on this day, I realized how rarely I allow myself to be truly present without distraction. I often focus on worries about screen time, nutrition, and their development milestones. But on this day, I found joy in simply being with them.
It was a reminder that not every day needs to be structured or perfect. Motherhood isn’t about achieving a flawless routine; it’s about creating moments of connection and fun. Yes, our house was a disaster, and we didn’t hit our nutritional goals, but that’s okay. Perhaps scheduling in a few more days like this could help us all remember the joy of simply being together.
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Summary
In a refreshing twist, a stay-at-home mom experiences a liberating “yes” day with her toddlers, letting go of routine restrictions and embracing spontaneity. From indulging in marshmallows to a zoo trip and carefree play, the day reminds her of the joy in parenting beyond rules and structure.
Keyphrase: “yes day with kids”
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