The Yes Half Hour
Ok guys you may have seen the awesome post going around about (one of my all time favs) Jennifer Garner‘s Yes Day?
Well with 5 kids and a tiny little budget it seemed out of reach. But I think I just invented the next best thing.
The YES HALF HOUR.
Here’s how it worked for me. Sam has been dying to buy new Halloween decorations but we never got to it this weekend.
So last night I decided I was going to make this dream a priority and I told him I’d pick him up from school and we’d go right from there.
I said yes. I also created anticipation which is part of the fun.
At the bus stop we talked about what a budget meant and how he’d have to make some choices and that he should think about what he most wanted (a spooky grave) and off he went.
He was beside himself with joy when he came out of school. And as we pulled up to the store he asked if he could pick out a scary dinner too.
I said yes.
And decided I was going to say yes to whatever he wanted as we shopped as long as it was within reason.
The joy in this kid the whole time we were shopping was awesome.
Yes to mummy hot dogs.
Yes to two kinds of Doritos.
Yes to Halloween themed mini soda cans.
Yes to the army guy Halloween costume.
Yes to the french toast bagels.
Yes to the strawberry cream cheese.
Yes to those annoying string spider webs that will never come out of my bushes.
Yes to him…my boy.
He was a gem the whole time and felt like a million dollars walking into the house and getting cheers from the big kids for the awesome dinner he picked out (last nights homemade chili didn’t get the same reaction, but I digress).
He felt heard and proud and loved being in charge.
I now have a secret plan in my head that each of these crazies will get an impromptu yes half hour sometime this year. I like long time lines, I’m much more successful when I give myself time.
Also the half hour stretched to almost an hour when we hit the checkout so thanks to Erin for picking up my runner and reading my giant play-by-play texts of what occurred to make it take forever. #bfftherapy#ialwayspickthewronglane
And Sam learned to read the words “Snack Mix” while we waited so still a win.
Here’s to the YES HALF HOUR my friends. It can happen anywhere and any time. You don’t have to be a planner or a millionaire and I’m guessing you’ll be a little less tired afterward then our friend Jen looked to be.
We can all rock the yes for a half hour and the look on our kids faces will make us feel cooler than a Hollywood mom (I’m guessing).
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This on is in French! Magicmaman
