Anyone else in need of some good ol’ family fun? As a military family, we incur a tremendous amount of stress on our relationships. I discovered that I needed to be intentional about combating that tension with fun to maintain a healthy balance in my marriage and parenting. After my husband returned from field training, I suggested we implement Yes Day for some needed family bonding.
Have you heard of this? Jennifer Garner stars in the film Yes Day. In the movie, her kids propose the idea of Yes Day, which is all about kids calling the shots for 24 hours. And you guessed it: the parents have to say “Yes.” Put what boundaries you like in place (like money allotted and distance from home), and then enjoy this unique experience.
I thought our kids would come up with wild ideas, but it turns out all they wanted was giant ice cream cones, fishing, three movies, and sleeping in a tent on the trampoline. They also requested rock climbing and horseback riding, but those facilities were closed. Our kids are all under eight years old, but I cannot wait to see what they come up with when they are teenagers. Or, maybe I can wait!
Here are a few tips to help you create a memorable Yes Day.
- Tell your kids about Yes Day ahead of time, giving them time to dream up their plans.
- Make sure your spouse is on board!
- Up the fun factor by surprising your kids with something exciting when they wake up. I bought silly string to start the day off right.
- If you do not like messes and surprises, prepare yourself to release your inhibitions. Remember, this is only one day out of the year, and your family deserves it!
Whether you are preparing for a PCS, recovering from a move, in the middle of a deployment, post field exercise, or worn out from your spouse’s extensive work hours, a Yes Day guarantees the bonding experience your family needs to reconnect. Plus, you will earn some major bonus points from your kids. Have fun!