As parents, we say “no” a lot. Sometimes it’s to our children, sometimes it’s to our partner or a fellow employee. Sometimes we say it to ourselves. Whether it’s, “No, you can’t have that now,” or “No, I don’t have time to fit that in,” or “No! Don’t do that!” I’ve come to realize there are some fun, stress-free, and enjoyable ways to work “yes” into your routine. Because everyone needs a little “yes” in their life!
For my child…
I say yes to pajama days. Why not? Granted, I usually pick days when I know he’s going to a grandparent’s house or not going out anywhere. But pajama days are a fun treat that mean less stress over making sure your kid is wearing matching socks.
I say yes to breakfast for dinner. I like to sneak veggies into food wherever I can without making a big deal of it, and having breakfast for dinner can hit all the food groups! Breakfast for dinner feels special because it’s not a regular occurrence.
I say yes to helping. OK, I do say no to “helping” scan groceries, because that is a nightmare. But I say yes to my son helping pick out groceries or putting things in the cart. I say yes to helping make meals or prepping food, even if it’s putting bread in the toaster.
For myself…
I say yes to self-care. Whether it’s going out for a massage or pedicure, or doing a face mask (or even wearing under-eye gels in the car), I make time to unwind or unplug for a bit.
I say yes to help. When it comes in the form of someone helping care for my child, this means I can get a few hours to myself or with my partner, which can be so needed!
For my relationship…
I say yes to late nights. With work, life, and a child who loves to extend “good night,” some nights my husband and I know we should probably go to bed but say yes to staying up to get extra time together.
I say yes to scheduled “us time.” My husband and I LOVE traveling together. Of course we love traveling as a family, too, but sometimes it’s nice to do something special and kid-free. When we travel without children, we’ve found that nothing compares to being able to wake up whenever we want or skip the wait list at a restaurant because we can just sit at the bar together.