Key facts
- The author gave her daughter a 'Yes Day' for her 7th birthday.
- The 'Yes Day' involved saying yes to reasonable requests within set boundaries.
- The daughter made choices about her outfit, activities, and purchases.
- The author also pushed her own comfort zone by participating in activities she feared.
- The experience aimed to build the daughter's confidence and independence.
The author decided to give her daughter a 'Yes Day' for her 7th birthday, a tradition inspired by a friend's 'Kids in charge day.' The author set simple boundaries, focusing on safety, locality, and feasibility. The daughter chose her own outfit, including a specific combination of clothing items, and selected a cream cheese bagel for breakfast. The day included a trip to National Harbor, where the daughter used gift cards to build a bear, making thoughtful choices about the cost and accessories. She also chose to wait for ice cream until after lunch, demonstrating good judgment. The author, who has a fear of heights, agreed to ride the Capital Wheel with her daughter and husband, seeing it as an opportunity to say 'yes' to herself as well. Later, the daughter surprised the author by wanting to buy her a gift at a makeup store, emphasizing a desire to share the experience. The author reflected that the 'Yes Day' was not about indulgence but intention, aiming to help children learn to make decisions, feel heard, and trust their voices for a lifetime.