Don’t Let Your Kids Waste Their Summer On Tablets: 3 Ground Rules This Mom Uses When Planning a “Yes Day” For Her Kids

I try my best to provide a nurturing environment at home. For instance, we borrow books from the public library regularly, and my kids also attend after-school activities online. Two teachers online help children learn how to build different projects, such as a treasure box made of yarn or a ceramic sea monster.

But, no matter how creative I try to be with indoor activities, my kids can still get cabin fever. Even if I let them play free in the backyard, it wasn’t enough. 

As the temperature was warming up, it was the perfect time to start biking again. So, I shared with the kids we could begin again. And they had so much excitement in their eyes. We went around the neighborhood, and they acted like they were discovering a whole new world.

Polite as they are, they were indirectly telling me something (I get the hint, kids. We need a kids’ day out).

Although the focus is on the kid’s wishes, it’s really a dedicated family fun day. With all the craziness these days, especially when both parents are working, this day lets the kids know they’re the priority. 

The great news is you don’t have to break the bank to have a great time. These activities include camping, flying a kite, visiting a planetarium, and water balloon competitions. 

You need to set some ground rules. It’s okay to “bend the rules” for the sake of fun. But it’s not okay to break the law. Having fun doesn’t require spending a night in jail. You can always modify the rules for your family’s style. 

Here are the three ground rules I use for my fun-filled family day:

Rule 1: You reserve the right to overrule any activities you disagree with. 

I’m okay with us going out to get some rolled ice cream. However, I’ll veto an ice cream eating contest that can cause us to spend the night in the bathroom.

Be sure to explain why you can or can’t do certain things. Your kids will understand what kind of activities will work for their youth day. Valid reasons can be that it is over budget, too far, or unsafe. It may be a kids’ day out, but you’re still on parenting duty.

Rule 2: The activity must be a family activity where everyone is involved. 

If my kids say, they want to hang out with friends and play video games on their tablets, expect a VETO! But, If my kids say they want to watch Pokemon, I’m down for it. 

I may know nothing about Pokemon, but my little kids will happily educate me. Did you see what I did there? I tricked my kids into having a conversation with me.

Rule 3: Each kid gets a choice. 

So, if you have more than one kid, make sure each kid gets to pick an activity. Let them know their individuality matters to you as a parent. 

They Must Deserve It

Having a “Yes Day” doesn’t mean you’re spoiling your kids. The purpose of this special occasion is to prioritize family time together. However, this kids’ day out should be reserved for kids who deserve it. Let the kids earn this day and work for it. After meeting their goal, they can enjoy the fruits of their labor!