Reflecting on ‘Yes Day’ With My Kids: A Much-Needed Reminder

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For years, my kids have been asking for a “Yes Day,” where I would agree to everything they request within reason for an entire day. I often dodged their questions by asking what their dream day would look like, and unsurprisingly, their top pick involved unlimited screen time.

Firstly, let’s be clear: my kids are not exactly deprived of electronics, and there have been plenty of days filled with video games and movies, so I know it’s achievable. Secondly, I realized that a genuine “Yes Day” requires more planning, which is why I kept postponing the idea. If we were going to have a day where my ex and I said “yes” to everything, they needed to share their ideas for activities or places they wanted to visit. I had also mentioned that we would need some basic rules, but beyond that, we hadn’t made any real plans.

After watching the new Netflix film “Yes Day,” starring Jennifer Garner, the idea resurfaced, and this time, I’m committed to scheduling our own “Yes Day.” The movie is inspired by a book of the same name by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Garner has shared that she initiated this concept in her family, hosting a “Yes Day” annually to foster joy. In her words, “I need joy as a person. And I need joy coming at me. I need to put it out there.”

Watching the movie with my kids not only brought us joy but also highlighted the appreciation we sometimes overlook in our daily lives—especially during a pandemic. The film illustrates the stark contrast between life before and after kids, where it’s much easier to embrace fun activities when it’s just adults involved. Once children enter the picture, saying “yes” often becomes complicated due to safety concerns and timing, especially when their requests come right before bedtime or during chores.

Kids, it’s not that we don’t want you to have fun. We simply want to keep you safe, which can be exhausting. As we watched, I could see my kids’ reactions to the countless times parents in the film said “no.” I recognized that familiar disappointment on their faces, a feeling I see often in my own kids. Yes, I’m busy and stressed, but I want to be more playful with them while I still can. My oldest is already 10, and time seems to fly.

One unexpected aspect of “Yes Day” was how it revealed the dynamics of parenting. The film illustrates the typical roles many parents find themselves in: one is often the fun-loving parent, while the other takes on the more serious, rule-enforcing role. My kids noticed this dynamic unfolding and initially suggested I should be more like the fun dad character. Thankfully, we both share responsibilities, and it’s not solely on one of us.

By watching the movie, my children gained insight into my thought process. They started to understand why I might not say “yes” as often as I would like. I assured them that I also want to embrace more joy and fun in our lives. We even discussed planning an intentional “Yes Day” for when the pandemic is less of a concern. The past year has certainly made saying “no” more frequent, but we’re looking forward to a day where we can finally say “yes” more often.

For more ideas on family fun and parenting, check out some of our other posts here. If you want to explore more about home insemination, Make a Mom is a great resource. For further insights on pregnancy and home insemination, the Cleveland Clinic’s podcast offers excellent information.

Summary

In summary, watching “Yes Day” with my kids served as a poignant reminder of the joy we can cultivate in our family life. It highlighted the importance of saying “yes” more often and planning fun, engaging experiences together, especially as we navigate the challenges of parenting during a pandemic.

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