The one word I’m trying to say to my children more

June 22, 2026 — 6:00pm

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If you’ve seen the 2021 movie Yes Day, starring Jennifer Garner, you would be well aware of the potential for things to go awry when kids get (almost) unlimited “yeses”.

But when my best friend’s kids recently earned the mother of rewards for excellent behaviour – their very own “yes day” – she was pleasantly surprised. She filled up her petrol tank and had her credit card at the ready, expecting to cart her five- and nine-year-old boys to the zoo and Timezone and wherever else they forever beg to go.

Instead, they awoke happily and asked if they could go to the nearest Westfield to spend their pocket money on a new Beyblade (a spinning toy, for those not accustomed). Stoked, they then asked if they please could go home to play with their simple new toy. She offered sushi or McDonald’s, and they politely said they’d probably rather just have a toastie at home.

By 2pm, she was reading her book on the couch while the boys had Beyblade battles, asking herself if she should be saying yes more often.

After all, as lovely as her boys are, they’re pretty ordinary kids and absolutely willing to whinge for anything and everything on a trip to the shops. Suddenly, though, when they had power over their day, resistance melted away and they showed genuine wants that were pretty meagre.

It was my most shameful moment as a parent. Now I’m........

© The Age