What is a ‘Yes Day’?: The new parenting trend dividing the Internet
updated the 2 November 2017 à 18:52Would you try it too?
We have to admit: when actress Jennifer Garner posted an Instagram a week ago, visibly worn (and in need of coffee) after celebrating something called a “Yes Day” with her kids for the fifth year running, we were both simultaneously piqued and undecided on how we felt about it.
In case you’re wondering, a ‘Yes Day’ is exactly what you think it is: a day where you say yes to everything your little one requests. Within reasonable limits of course. It turns out, the trend was inspired by a children’s book titled “Yes Day!” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, which centers around the life of a young boy on Yes Day, a special day every year where parents would respond to all their children’s requests with a “yes”.
It could be letting them stay up past bedtime or even having greasy fast food for breakfast. In short – it’s every kid’s wishful thinking. What was a work of children’s fiction soon inspired parents around the world to embrace “Yes Day” in their as well, like Jennifer Garner whose kids actually requested to sleep in a tent in their backyard. Adorable.
Considering a Yes Day? Here’s some tips
1. Keep it sporadic. Decide how many “yes days” you’ll have, but we recommend keeping it to a treat for your kids once every few months.
2. Set rules with your little ones. For instance, you can set parameters like “it has to involve your siblings” or “it has to be a request that cannot exceed SGD10”.
3. Not sold on a “Yes Day”? If you’re not confident enough to commit to a whole day, why not try a “Yes Hour”?
Now, we know not everyone will be on board with this idea – especially not in Asia, where the idea of giving our children complete autonomy in running their day may sound like your worst nightmare. But hear us out, there may be some benefits to it.
For one, not only is it a fun experience for your kids who get to think about what they really one, it can also be surprisingly refreshing for you as a parent to not have to say “no” so many times for a change. Additionally, it also allows you an insight into what your kids really want and you’ll get to know them better. So, would you try it?
Sarah Khan
Photo: Getty Images
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