On a monthly basis, my husband and I take the kids on a date day. What this involves is one parent and one child going out on a date for food, activity or both.
This started back in 2020 during the COVID lockdown when everything was shutdown. The way my husband and I had a date was that we would pick up takeaway food, and then sit in the car in our driveway eating and talking. When we told the kids what we did they asked if they can go on a date with us. We thought why not (any activity to brighten up the lockdown).
On kids date days, we have been on lots of fun adventures, in parks, restaurants, dessert places and game arcades to name a few. The purpose is to bond, spend quality together and most importantly have fun.
On my first date with my daughter we got dressed up in our fancy clothes, picked up takeout and sat in the car eating, talking and laughing. We had such a good time that we decided to make it a monthly event.
The other day we took Date Day a step further and turned it into YES date day. This meant everything that the kids asked the parents have to say YES to.
It was a suggestion from “How To Make ‘Yes Days’ A Reality in Your Home” article by Amy McCready from Positive Parenting Solutions inspired by the movie Yes Day on Netflix. My husband and I weren’t brave enough to make it a full “YES” day yet so started with 3 hours.
When we told the kids they were excited. They were talking about it non-stop in the lead-up to the day. I must admit I started getting worried wondering what they may ask me.
YES, date day started in the shopping centre for 2 hours and then for 1 hour afterwards at home. We set and agreed to the following ground rules prior:
- We pay for lunch and they can choose anything they want.
- They get a $15 budget to spend on dessert or anything else they want, they are not to ask us to spend or use any additional money.
- Any sweets/desserts (including drinks other than water) they pay for from their budget.
- They cannot ask to go anywhere outside the shopping centre.
- They cannot ask to change current family rules these need to be done at family meetings.
- They cannot ask to do something in the future when yes date day is over.
What an adventure we had. I was with my son and we had so much fun. He asked me to run through the shopping centre, he ordered himself KFC with a large frozen drink, and a Krispy Kreme doughnut (double sugar is normally a no). We visited toy stores and he enjoyed showing me all the toys he loves and wants then he brought himself an AKEDO toy which we sat and played with for the rest of the time.
At home, he ate more sweets then requested tech time where he asked me to sit and watch with him (that was a new experience watching someone play Minecraft on YouTube though I did enjoy cuddling him on the couch).
My husband had similar success with my daughter, he said the biggest challenge was watching the number of sweets they ate. My daughter did indirectly ask if she could get a second ear piercing (may need to add that to the rules).
On reflection what I found was that both kids loved our attention and felt important dragging us around to shops that they wanted (as it is usually the other way around). I also noticed that this gave the kids an amazing boost of confidence, power and significance.
Afterwards, they played together nicely, and were generally in a happy and satisfied mood.
Kids are already asking to make yes day a tradition and each year to extend it by another hour.
On a separate note, I got a big win as my son was unwell after all the sweets he ate and he advised he won’t be eating that much next time. Was so hard not to say to him see I told you so 
!!! I just smiled and advised that was a great lesson to learn.
Are you brave enough to try a YES Date Day with your kids? Leave the comment YES below to make the commitment.
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