The Power of Saying YES (When You Can)
Toddlers hear the word NO countless times a day.
“No touching that.”
“No running.”
“No more snacks.”
Of course boundaries matter - safety and structure are our foundation. But sometimes, the power of saying YES (even in small ways) can be a surprising gift - to your child and to yourself.
Yes to puddle jumping. Shoes dry, and so do socks. The memory lasts longer than the mess.
Yes to picnics in unusual places. Breakfast on the lounge floor or lunch in the backyard makes ordinary food feel magical.
Yes to messy ice cream faces. Wipe it later. The joy of dripping cones on a hot day outweighs the laundry.
Yes to wearing pajamas to the supermarket. Nobody will remember - but your child will remember the fun.
Yes to an extra story at bedtime. The dishes can wait. The cuddle and giggle time won’t come back.
Yes to building with every single block in the house and taking over the lounge floor. Stepping over a giant tower city for a day or two won’t hurt.
Yes to singing loudly and off-key. Nobody cares how it sounds - the fun is in the freedom.
Yes to skipping the “real” meal once in a while. A dinner of fruit and toast makes for happy bellies and less stress.
Yes to playing in the rain. Hair dries, floors mop - but dancing under the drops is pure childhood magic.
Yes to crumbs in the bed from snack time. Shake out the sheets tomorrow. The memory of snuggly crackers-and-books time lasts longer.
Saying YES doesn’t mean giving in to everything. It means noticing the little moments where you can lean into play, connection, and delight.
