Typically, my son knows that Sundays are no-screen days. Last weekend, though, I threw most of the rules out the window and let my son be in charge.
Instead of our usual day together, my son and I played video games, ate rotisserie chicken with our hands, and closed down a theme park.
It was our first-ever Yes Day, and it might just be the best parenting decision I’ve made all year.
What’s a Yes Day?
If you’ve never heard of it, a Yes Day is exactly what it sounds like: for one day, within a few agreed-upon boundaries, your kid is in charge. You say “yes” to their requests.
Some parents I talked to lit up instantly, “Oh, Yes Days, that’s great, I’ve wanted to have one with my child!” while others looked at me like I’d invented a new parenting fad.
The truth is, I didn’t invent it. But after one day of trying it, I can tell you it’s worth every ounce of energy you’ve got.
Setting the Rules
I wanted my son to have real decision-making power, so we sat down and came up with a framework for the day.
We both agreed to:
- A reasonable budget.
- A few activity boundaries (nothing unsafe, nothing wildly out of reach).
- This included no going through a car wash with the windows down!
- A one-item-per-store limit.
We negotiated the budget like a couple of seasoned diplomats — I offered $100, he countered with $1,000, and we landed on $200.
That, and a shared agreement that the day was about adventure, not just shopping.
The Morning; and Letting Go
We kicked things off by breaking my own rule: no-screen Sunday. We played video games together, and I didn’t rush us. My son clearly had a few ideas in mind, but wanted to “surprise” me with his plans for the day.
Meanwhile, a hot water heater in my greenhouse had sprung a major leak. Normally, I’d have dropped everything to fix it. But this was our Yes Day, and that meant shutting off the water and letting it wait.
That small choice set the tone, my son knew I was all in.
Stop One: Island Toys
His first pick was Island Toys, where he proudly bought a Rubik’s cube I’d told him he couldn’t have for his birthday.
Yes Day: 1, Dad’s birthday gift plan: 0.
The Nerf Gun Debate
Next, he floated the idea of a $100 Nerf gun at Target.
But he also wanted to go to Fun Town Splash Town, and I told him Target would cost us an hour of playtime.
He weighed his options and chose the theme park. Watching him think through the trade-off was satisfying and eye-opening. I watched my son weigh his options and make a sound choice.
Fun Town Splash Town Takeover
My son led the way, from the first ride to the last arcade game. I was just the backup crew, making sure he stayed hydrated and fueled.
We hit the water park after most of the rides, raced from slide to slide, then dove back into the park for more rides, Skee-Ball, and one last round of fun before the gates closed.
The kid was in full mission mode, serious when he needed to be, but grinning ear to ear most of the time.
Dinner by Hand
We aimed for Whole Foods burritos but missed the kitchen cutoff by minutes. So we improvised:
- One rotisserie chicken
- A fresh baguette
- Rosemary ham
- Teriyaki seaweed
- Chicken soup
- Two pastries (one chosen purely for curiosity’s sake)
We sat down and pulled the chicken apart with our hands, laughing like we’d just discovered a new sport. He declared his fruit tart “edible slime,” which only made us laugh harder.
My Two Yeses
Part of the deal was that I got two Yeses, too. My first was for him to approach someone interesting and ask if they had any advice for him.
He didn’t quite work up the nerve, though he scanned the room like he was considering it. I ended up chatting with a couple of women sitting nearby, using it as a moment to model social skills.
My second Yes came at the very end of the day: I asked him to get ready for bed without any fussing or stalling. It didn’t go perfectly; he was tired and still charged from all our adventures, but I could see him trying. And that effort meant more to me than a flawless bedtime routine ever could.
The Grand Finale
We drove to a brand-new obstacle course in Portland and ran the entire thing together. By the time we headed home, we were happily exhausted; the good kind of tired you earn.
At bedtime, Bear curled up and told me, “We had the best day ever together.”
The Reflection
That night, I realized something: there are moments when I say no to him for no real reason — just because it’s easier, or it’s not what I had in mind.
Yes Day reminded me that saying yes to his ideas, his energy, and his quirks can open doors to connection we don’t get any other way.
Why You Should Try It
You don’t need a theme park or a big budget. You just need:
- A set of boundaries you both agree on.
- A budget that works for you.
- The willingness to let your child lead.
What you get in return? Pride in their own decision-making, memories that will stick for life, and the joy of seeing your kid fully, unapologetically be themselves.
We didn’t just have fun — we ate life with golden teeth that day.
If you want to try it yourself, I’ve created a Yes Day Adventure Chart you can download and use with your family. It’s the same structure my son and I used, with space for your own rules, budget, and big plans.
Download the Yes Day Adventure Chart here →
Mindful Dad Life 