Focusing on Yes

I've noticed a semi-disturbing trend with myself the past couple of weeks: my default answer seems to be "no". And it's really not for any good reason. When the kiddo wants to go outside and play in his sand, I think of the  cleanup involved in that undertaking and groan and say no. Same goes for the water toys. And the pool. And there's no good reason for it - it's not as if we have somewhere to be that I can't take the time to let him play in the dirt and water and then clean up.

So I'm making a concerted effort to say yes.

And for the last several days we've spent lovely (if insanely hot and humid) afternoons outside with the sand and water and the climbing dome and the net. And he has gotten filthy and had a jolly time. And it has made the afternoons pass so much more quickly.

And the timeouts have decreased as well. Because when the answer isn't always no, he apparently listens better when it is. Who knew?

Best of all? I feel like a better mom. Because I've been feeling rather down about my parenting lately - when all you say is no, it's easy to get that way. (And don't get me wrong, there's still a lot of no around here - he's 2 and he's testing limits.) But I'm saving the nos for the things that matter and trying to embrace the yes the rest of the time.

It's a much nicer way to live.