I was reading Mothering Magazine awhile back and came across some parenting advice that I've never forgotten. The advice was to "say yes".

Say yes when she wants to make pancakes. Say yes when she wants to flip them all by herself. Say yes when she wants to wear mismatched clothes. Say yes when she wants ice cream for breakfast. Say yes when she wants to hold Lucy for the tenth time. Say yes when she wants to make forts in my newly cleaned room. Just say yes.

Even when it means sacrificing my own silly agenda or preferences...I want to say yes. And no, I don't think that saying yes is being permissive or allowing her to manipulate me. I obviously still use my discretion and every day isn't a yes day...but it has saved our connection with each other so many times. It causes me slow down and be a better mommy.

By saying yes, I'm giving her permission to experience life. On her own terms.