Parenting Success Stories

It all started when our parenting expert, Jennifer Kolari, said yes to having a picnic underneath the table with her daughter. Her post about the simplicity of going with the flow when your kids ask you to play struck a nerve with so many moms. We put together a few inspiring stories from YMC members who each had their own personal aha moment when they followed Jennifer's advice. From having a beach party in the kitchen to volunteering in the community, let these moms inspire you to say yes to your kids. Because as one mom learned, life's too short to not paint yourself purple.

Not wanting to be left out of the fun, Eileen, our very own YMC Buzz on Twitter, made a priceless family memory this past weekend. "It’s an amazing feeling when you make your kids happy by doing something small and simple. All it took was one small word. Yes." We loved Eileen's story and think you will too!

Wanna take the "It All Starts With Yes" challenge? Go on over to Facebook and get started now because little adventures can create big smiles.

Purple Paint

Katharine Holmes
Sooke, BC

"Mom, can we finger paint?"

It all started out so innocently. A simple question, with a simple answer, "Sure!"

Next thing I knew, in order to keep his clothes clean, my son stripped himself naked.

"Ok," I thought, "Saves on laundry!"

We painted a masterpiece, and I left the room.

When I returned, my son looked like a giant grape—covered in gloppy purple paint.

I could have had a conniption, but instead I ran a bath and washed off the paint.

Life’s too short not to paint yourself purple.

Plants vs Zombies

Lisa Ferreira
Whitby, ON

"I'm going to make the house 'Plants vs Zombies' themed, ok Mom?"

"Absolutely."

A lot of Moms would balk at letting their 7-year-olds handle the interior decorating, especially if they intended to base their decorating on a smartphone game. fter all, my son’s bedroom is plastered with posters & drawings of Super Mario, Star Wars, & Captain Underpants.

I said yes to this for a few reasons:

He was really, really excited about his idea. He loves this game and he loves drawing. Combining the two was a magical revelation—we now have pictures of the game on every piece of paper in our home.

It was a week-long project that we tackled together. He was the artist with the grand vision and I was allowed to use the big scissors. Deciding which zombie or plant to immortalize next, brainstorming over new zombies to create (Mine-Cart Zombie!) and debating proper placement of the zombies and plants all made for great afternoons. Together.

I didn’t know what to put on that wall anyway.

The result is not the upscale coffeehouse look I always thought my kitchen would have, but it is very “us.” My son is proud of his art and now it is on full display for everyone to see.

When I tweeted this photo, @PlantsvsZombies re-tweeted it and my son thought he was famous for a few days. He now has dreams of visiting the company and of one day making his own video games.

And every time I see a zombie peeling away from the wall when I’m having my coffee, I add another piece of tape to keep it up a little longer.

Going to the Beach in Alberta

Sherry Sangster
Strathmore, AB

The kids recently asked if they could go to the beach.

It was April in Alberta.

It wasn't really an option.

After thinking about it for a bit, I said yes. We dressed in our bathing suits, put beach towels out on the floor under the sunny window, got hubby to blow up the pool and had water fun in our play area. I needed to wash the floor anyway and the kids had a blast.

And hey, no need for messy sunscreen, we avoided the long drive home, and there was no sand all over everything.

Learning to Ride a Two Wheeler

Nicole Miller
Toronto, ON

This past Sunday it was extremely humid, and I really didn't want to do anything productive.

My daughter asked me numerous times to go to the park on her bike, to teach her how to ride a two-wheeler. I said no.

After watching her mope around the house I felt really guilty, and changed my answer and said, "Yes! By the end of the day you will know how to ride a two-wheeler."

Sure enough only thirty minuntes into practice and she was riding around like a pro. I was so proud and so was she. She repeatedly thanked me and said I was the best Mommy ever.

My Little Volunteer

Sharleen Nielsen
Halifax, NS

My daughter at 11 wanted to be more involved in the community but given how much time my husband and I put into volunteering and her age I thought that maybe it was better to wait until she was a little older and able to start doing things by herself.

But instead of saying no, I said yes.

And by saying yes she completely proved me wrong—she was definitely old enough to make a difference! She began organizing drives for the local teen shelter with other soccer teams she played against. They have had 17 successful drives to date.

A NO would have meant less work for me but a YES—oh a yes—didn't only raise much-needed items for this shelter, but it started my daughter on her way to becoming hugely involved in her community and in doing that—others too!

Naked Painting

Jessica Bleasdale
Port Alberni, BC

My husband and I were quite furious when our toddler got into all of my craft paints and managed to finger paint all over the hardwood floor, bedroom furniture and brand new bedding in his new big boy room. So when we sat down with him to find out why he made such a mess he explained from his 2-year-old mind that he thought it was fun.

He asked if we could all paint.

We decided we would say YES! I got out a big white sheet and some art boards. I stripped my toddler and baby down to their birthday suits, my husband and I got into our bathing suits, and we all had a blast using our bodies to paint. We made a huge mess and had a group shower afterwards but it was SO much fun!! What a family YES moment!

Catching Bugs

Debra Roche
Hamilton, ON

Last weekend was Mother's Day and I was preparing the garden for the summer months—I wanted to work alone to get what I wanted done done right!

So when my three girls asked if they could "help" immediately I wanted to say no, but changed my mind and saw their faces light up when I said yes, so we ended up not only clearing the gardens of weeds, but also catching lots of bugs and creating separate homes for them—the joy in the girls' faces I will never forget and I found myself smiling too!

What a great day for us all!

TV Time

Glynis Nicholson
Brantford, ON

Mackenzie had a day off from school that was a work day for me. I explained to her that she could be in the same area with me if she wanted but that I had to work. She was in the room sulking and soon made a suggestion that we watch a kid movie. I immediately said no, but she wouldn't let it go. I then decided to turn something on and watch a show with her.

I had a great time with her. That was all that she needed.

She understood that I couldn't spend the whole day watching movies, but she only wanted to watch that one and then she was fine entertaining herself doing something else.

I Can Snorkle!

Leslie Nicholson
Sydney, NS

I've snorkled with my daughter but have always been too afraid to go scuba diving. I finally relented and took lessons and we went scuba diving together. It was a wonderful bonding experience.

Masterpieces on the Wall

Debbie Starkey
Porters Lake, NS

My kids wanted to help me paint a room. I knew it would be a big mess and a huge waste of paint, but I said yes and they all drew masterpieces on our walls before I painted over everything. It was a fun day for all of us.