A few years ago I wrote this article on yes parenting and all the positives that go along with saying yes to children. Saying yes can be hard because there are so many things to do in life and often yes equals extra work for the already overworked single parent. Yet it makes the kids so happy.
So this week when they asked to make a tent in the living room (the center of our smallish house) I said yes when I wanted to say no because it makes a mess. My newish sofa is torn apart, they use almost every sheet, blanket and pillow in the house, and they bring all this other stuff down from their third floor room. Then they argue about putting it all away later.
But really, it’s a small thing, no? And there faces–pure happiness. They slept in the tent for several nights and I think I might have even heard them playing (by choice) without video games or the t.v. on. They did their reading in that tent, too.
Honestly, the other motive for saying yes to many things this week: my boys are going to spend some dedicated time with their dad before school starts and I feel a loss of control. And I will miss them terribly. Yet, I can control when I say yes to their request and also know that they have had a good time and some old fashion fun.
Lisa B. Samalonis is a health and family writer, and the author of www.singleparentsavings.wordpress.com.
For more news, tips and musing on single parenting, go to www.singleparentsavings.wordpress.com
