Yes Day Movie Review: How Every Mom Can Relate

Have you seen the movie “Yes Day” on Netflix? ‘Cause let me tell ya, watching it was like staring into a mirror of my life as a Mom!

First, if you haven’t seen it, let me give you a quick rundown. Yes Day is about a couple of parents who always say “No” to their kids’ requests, but one day they decide to have a “Yes Day” where they say “Yes” to everything their kids ask for.

The movie “Yes Day” reflects the sad reality of motherhood that we all face at one point or another. It’s a comedic look at what happens when parents try to let loose and say “Yes” to their kids’ requests for 24 hours.

But back to why this movie felt so relatable to me. As a mom, getting stuck in a rut of saying “No” to everything can be easy. “No, you can’t have another cookie.” “No, you can’t stay up late.” “No, you can’t jump on the bed.”

It’s not that we don’t want our kids to be happy; it’s just that we want to ensure they’re safe and healthy and not doing anything that will make us regret our choices later.

Let’s start and look at the many themes this film touches on.

Related post: Hello Mom

The Guilt Trip of Motherhood

Foremost, motherhood is all about guilt. You feel guilty if you work too much; you feel guilty if you don’t work enough; you feel guilty if you don’t breastfeed; you feel guilty if you breastfeed too much. It’s a never-ending cycle of guilt that we can’t seem to escape.

Jennifer Garner’s character, Allison, in this movie struggles with guilt while attempting to balance her roles as a responsible and fun mother. She desires to provide her children with the best while also ensuring their safety and preventing chaos.

It’s a constant battle that all moms face, and it’s not an easy one to navigate. We see Allison feeling guilty when she has to say “No” to her kids’ requests, but we also see her feeling guilty when she says “Yes” and things go wrong.

The Pressure to be Perfect

This movie also alludes to the stress of trying to achieve perfection. Mothers are held to a higher standard than fathers, who are assumed to be more relaxed and laid-back.

But let’s be honest, that’s a nearly impossible standard to live up to. Moms are human beings, and we make mistakes just like everyone else. In “Yes Day,” Allison struggles to let go of this pressure to be perfect and enjoy the moment with her kids.

She’s worried about what other parents will think if her kids misbehave, she’s concerned about the mess they’re making, and she’s worried about whether they’re having fun. It’s a lot of pressure to put on yourself, and it’s something that all moms can relate to.

The Struggle for Balancing Work and Family

Ah, the age-old struggle of balancing work and family. It’s a delicate dance that all working moms must navigate, and it’s not easy.

In this movie, we see Allison juggling her job as a mom and as a publicist. She’s constantly on her phone, trying to balance work emails with her kids’ requests for a “yes day.”

It’s a struggle that all working mom’s face. We want to be there for our kids, but we also have responsibilities at work. And when the two worlds collide, it can be overwhelming.

But the fact is, we’re doing the best we can. We may not always get it right, but we’re trying. And that’s all we can do.

The Importance of Letting Go

At its core, “Yes Day” is about letting go. As moms, we want to control everything. We want to ensure our kids are safe, happy, and well-behaved. But sometimes, we need to let them be kids.

We see Allison struggling with this throughout the movie. She’s worried about what could go wrong if she says “yes” to her kids’ requests. But as the day goes on, she lets go of her fears and enjoys the moment with her family.

And that’s what motherhood is all about. It’s about letting go of control and enjoying the moment with your kids. It’s about creating memories and cherishing the time you have together.

“Life is an adventure, and it’s up to us to say yes to it.”

– Carlos Torres (portrayed by Edgar Ramirez)

The Sad Reality

But as much as we want to let enjoy motherhood, the sad reality is that it’s not always rainbows and unicorns. It’s a tough job and can be emotionally and physically exhausting.

In the movie “Yes Day,” both Edgar Ramirez’s character Carlos and Allison’s (played by Ana Ortiz) are very exhausted at the day’s end. They’re worn out from running all around town to satisfy their children’s whims.

But even though it’s tough, it’s worth it. Because we’re doing this for our kids. We are devoting our time and energy to ensuring their happiness and wellness. That makes it all worthwhile.

Conclusion

Finally, “Yes Day” is a melancholy portrayal of parenthood. It takes a humorous, offbeat look at the myriad challenges that mothers confront daily.

But watching Yes Day, I couldn’t help but feel a smidge envious of the parents finally deciding to say “yes” to everything. Who wouldn’t want to let the kids have their way for once?

“The best memories are the ones you make together.”

– Allison Torres (portrayed by Jennifer Garner)

Of course, the movie shows us it’s not that simple. Saying “yes” always has consequences, and the parents learn valuable lessons about setting limits and communicating effectively with their offspring.

Ultimately, I think the movie’s message is all about balance. It’s okay to say “No” sometimes, but it’s also important to let our kids have some fun and take some risks.

But I think I’ll not have the guts to declare a “Yes Day” of my own!

You would relate to this: Ways You Almost Mess Up As A Parents

Pic credit: Google

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Mads’ Cookhouse.