“Can I make lemonade with these, Mommy?” Clark asked, holding up two fresh lemons. It wasn’t in the curriculum or on my plans for the day. I had no intention of us making the mess that we ended up making. But I knew it needed to be a “say yes” moment. I’m still a work in progress, learning to deviate from my plans and say yes to my kids.
One of a the many things I love about our A Year of Playing Skillfully curriculum is the encouragement to “say yes” to play, exploration, and memory making. It makes me sad that I need that encouragement, but as a stay-at-home mom, I’m often so busy trying to get meals cooked, laundry done, and toys picked up that I cannot be bothered to stop what I’m doing and allow them a chance to make a mess and learn through play.
“Play is not a break from learning. It is endless, delightful, deep, engaging, practical learning. It’s the doorway into the child’s heart!”
Vince Gowmon
When Clark asked to make lemonade, I was in the middle of making breakfast. All I could think was about how long it was going to take, how much lemon juice was going to get all over the countertop, and how hungry I was (pregnancy doesn’t help that).
But then I realized that it was a great learning opportunity.
Clark wanted to do the work of squeezing the lemons and making the lemonade. He wanted to see how hard it really would be to make a glass of lemonade. I cut the lemons for him, got him a glass, and set him to work on making lemonade while I finished up breakfast and got Elliot settled in his seat.
And do you know what?
He amazed me with his skills! It ended up being so much fun watching him squeeze the lemons and dig out the seeds. It did make a mess, but really, learning is messy!
Once his little hands were completely worn out from squeezing, I helped him add water and sugar to taste, and watched him taste-test his creation. It didn’t end up being a glass full of lemonade, of course, but he still sipped slowly and enjoyed the fruits of his labor.
It was such a great reminder to slow down and SAY YES more frequently. I need to step aside and let them make the unplanned messes, squeeze the lemons, get their hands sticky, and prove themselves.
What are some things your kids ask to do that you frequently say no to? How can you make room in your day to SAY YES?
So here’s to learning to SAY YES to my kids more frequently!
