Giving kids a bit of control over their day can be a lot of fun. Letting them decide what to wear, what to eat for breakfast, what to watch during screen time; these are all fun ways to give your children a choice while still being a responsible parent. 

However, have you ever thought about letting them decide what goes on throughout the whole day? Pick a day when school is out and you’ve not got anything else on, then let your kids decide what you do and when.

It might sound like the worst idea in the world, and it probably sounds like you’ll lose any sense of routine or organization with it, but we recommend giving it a try – now and then. Let me tell you why this may be a good idea sometimes.

Why Letting the Kids Decide the Day’s Schedule Is A Good Thing

You Get to See Inside Your Kids’ Heads

Understanding a child’s thought process is a tricky thing. Their brains work quite differently to that of an adult, and even though you were once a kid yourself, it can be difficult to remember the nuances of your thought patterns and imagination. 

If you let your child ‘take control’ for the day, you’ll get a handy insight into their head. Knowing how your child thinks will allow you to provide appropriate support for them, as well as allow you to communicate better. It can even help you understand why they misbehave sometimes.

It Takes Some of the Pressure of Parenting Off of You

Sometimes you just don’t want to have to make the decisions yourself! And honestly? Parenting is a lot of pressure, and when you’ve got kids all day asking about what to do and when, it can be overwhelming. To constantly come up with new things to try out that won’t have them complaining of boredom is a daily task for moms. 

Let the kids take the reins for a little while and see what they come up with. A FEW hours really isn’t that long of a time, so let them decide what’s for dinner and what outfits you all should wear!  Sounds like a Bluey episode…

It Can Be a Lot of Fun!

When the kids are ‘in charge’, you might end up doing fun things you never would have thought of otherwise. Watching holiday movies in the middle of summer, going to the park after dinner, making giant playdough creations and having a tea party with them – kids love coming up with unusual things to do that don’t occur to most adults. 

It’s no surprise really; kids pretty much have a monopoly on fun! If you let your kids decide what you’re going to do for entertainment, you might just find yourself having one of the best days of your parenting life.

You can still pump the brakes and suggest other things to do, like if one of your kids wants to go jumping out of trees, but you’ll likely find their ideas to be good ones. Want to understand your kids on a closer level? Put them in charge for a bit!

What do you think? Do you try “yes days” now and then at your house? How does it go? Share in the comments.

Mom carrying daughter on her back, both smiling outdoors. Text reads why letting kids decide the schedule can be a good thing (sometimes)!