By: Hannah Dearth

This last few weeks we have been told a lot of “no’s”.

No more movies, sports, or social outings.

No more gathering in large groups, or in some places, like where we live...no more gathering at all.

A lot of us have heard “no more work.”

It feels like each day we hear more “no’s”.

We see the bigger reason, but this big pile of no’s is so overwhelming.

So, do you know what we have been doing in our home with what we control?

We have been saying “yes” as much as we can to ourselves, and to our kids.

This has been a time where I catch my automatic “no” wanting to slip out, usually out of habit of being in a rush without the time to do all of the things my kids or myself are interested in...but now, whatever it may be...I am challenging myself.

A movie while we eat dinner? Yes.

Spa night? Yes! We will make our own!

Staying in pajamas? Yes.

You want to go mini golf? Cardboard box mini golf course through the living and dining rooms it is!

Feel like doing nothing? Sounds great!

Go to our favorite vaca beach spot for lunch? Yes, without even leaving the house!

I never realized how programmed I am to say “no” without even thinking. Saying yes to myself and my kiddos has provided a week of doing things we would never have gotten to experience without this time together. A time of cleared schedules and being forced to get creative. They are small things to most people, but they have created big memories for our family.

Just say yes (unless it is to leaving your home #stayathome).