Some days I can be grumpy.
Some days I’m impatient.
Some days I tell my kids to “go play” instead of playing with them.
Some days I’m tired.
Yesterday was one of those days. But I didn’t want them going to bed remembering me as a grumpy, impatient, self absorbed mommy.
So I put them to bed, closed the door, waited 5 minutes and then…
I burst in yelling, “IT’S A PAJAMA RUN!!!!!!! GET IN THE CAR!!!!!!”
We went to Sonic, ate sundaes and my favorite 6 and 8 year old girls hugged me and declared, “This is the BEST day ever!!!”
And it was.
Technical Aspects of a Pajama Run
1. Please note that I’ve done this before, so my yelling didn’t terrify my kids. If you do a pj run, (I know you know this, but I’ll say it anyway) be sure to consider your child’s temperament on a freak out scale. We don’t want the night to be the focus of a future therapy session.
2. The magic rule is that if any of the kids ASK for a pj run, we automatically CAN’T do one that night. This eliminates unnecessary begging.
3. Have fun!! Yes, they might have extra sugar, stay up late and have a hard time falling back asleep, but it’s worth it!
Guest Post with More Ideas
If you like the pajama run idea, be sure to check out my guest post on Steady Mom today. It’s called 5 Simple Ways to Create Amazingly Memorable Traditions
Memory Making
What are some of your favorite memory making activities?
This post is part of WFMW.
(FYI – My new free ebook “Mission Statements for Moms” is ready! Find out how to get a copy here.)
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{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this super fun idea! Oh to be remembered as a fun mommy! Thanks for breaking it down too…even the part about not freaking your kids out. I will remember not to “yell” too loud!
.-= Stacey´s last blog ..Kids And Their Quiet Times =-.
When I have a kid, I’m going to go on Pajama runs as well! I’m sure that your kids will always remember that their mother took the time to take them on Pajama Runs even though she was tired.
.-= Abby´s last blog ..i won’t let go of your hand =-.
This is awesome! I think I’ll try this the next time I need a Sonic run! Hah!
Thanks for the great blog. Just found you via a friend’s site and have enjoyed your posts.
.-= mab´s last blog ..A Grocery Spree for Me =-.
What a fun idea… I’ll have to remember this. I’m horrible w/ last minute plans to jump in the car and go somewhere (actually I hate going anywhere – I’m just plain lazy). I’m learning to be spontaneous and enjoy life rather than dreading having to run errands, etc. Thanks for sharing!
.-= Ashley´s last blog ..Defined by Grace =-.
I LOVE this idea! Definitely going into my idea bank for when my son is older (at 8 months he wouldn’t appreciate it!).
.-= Alicia’s Homemaking´s last blog ..Try New Adventures Thursday- Stocking The Pantry For Asian Cuisine =-.
Must REPEAT this! Genius! My quad boys would “Eat this UP!”.
.-= QuatroMama´s last blog ..Veggie Tales In Real Life =-.
I LOVE this idea!!! Tucking it in my mind for one of my cranky days
Off to read your guest post!
LOVE this! I will have to do this with my girls – thanks for the idea!!
Okay, I’m going to admit it–I’m terrible at things like this! Once my kids are in bed, I think they should stay there and I’m a super freak about not having too much sugar before bed. Which just makes this idea the most perfect.idea.ever!
I must try it!
.-= GettingFreedom´s last blog ..Tortilla Sandwiches Snail Style =-.
I’m not sure how I didn’t know about your blog before today, but I love it! I’m a new subscriber & follower. I read a few posts and you made me feel good about the kind of mom I am, so thanks. Can’t wait to read more.
m
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Mandarin Orange Cake =-.
Thank you for the ideas! I’m a planner, so spontaneity does not come easily for me. I’ve had too many grumpy days lately, so I think a pajama run is in order!
I also love this idea! Something that I do sometimes is get my 2 year old in the car and say, “Where do you want to go?” He says something, and we just go do it! It’s so fun and a surprise for me on a long day at home.
I love this idea. My little one is only 4 months old, so we haven’t started getting too creative around here, but I am going to have to write down some of these ideas. Thanks for sharing.
.-= Amber Cullum´s last blog ..Journey of Faith Friday- Doubt =-.
I love this. Perfect timing for me, as just yesterday I was hoping they’d forget mean mommy day yesterday. I cant wait to do this with them!
You.Are.Awesome !!! What a brilliant idea, I am totally going to do this when my girls are old enough to understand it! Thanks for sharing this, totally made my day
We absolutely will try this! Our schedule is so far off this summer, it won’t affect their bed times at all! Very fun!
What a super fun idea! I definitely have those days.
.-= Hanan ´s last blog ..where i roll =-.
I LOVE this idea! Unfortunately nothing is open in our little town late enough to do it…. If we ever move, I’ll try it
.-= Jenn´s last blog ..Ontario Trip =-.
Jenn,
You could possibly just call it a pajama party and have a surprise movie night or ice cream party right there at your house – possibly in the backyard. I think kids just think it’s SUPER cool to stay up past their bedtime, especially when they were already put to bed.
We’ve done this a few times with our 24 hr donut shop. The boys LOVE it! We need to do it with Sonic…hmmm…I think we may have a plan for tonight.
.-= Heather Clark´s last blog ..Rain RainPlease Stay =-.
You are so much fun! I love this idea. I might even have to try it. Like, tonight.
.-= Holly at Tropic of Mom´s last blog ..Caterpillars- metamorphosis- butterflies! =-.
Great fun!!! I will definitely be using this one day soon!!
We do the same thing in the winter at Christmas time but it’s to drive around in PJs and look at xmas light displays around the neighborhood with eggnog served in mini cups and peppermint sticks.
Sounds like we’ll need to do a summer version now with ice cream!!
.-= marylea´s last blog ..Homemade Japanese Fish Kite Fun! =-.
Ahahahaha! This is awesome! I’m sooooo going to do this as soon as my daughter is old enough to appreciate the craziness of it!
Oh my goodness, how FUN!!! I have 4 girls who would absolutely LOVE this! Thanks so much for this idea!!
Okay…totally crying because I was that yelling mother today.
And I’m totally doing this pajama run thing…not tonight since the kids have been asleep for two hours now…but soon.
Thanks for the great idea!! Love it.
.-= Llama Momma´s last blog ..my garden is dead =-.
I officially LOVE this idea! How fun!
Oh my GOD – I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea. Thanks so much. I am going to try it this week!!!
This sounds like a fantastic idea! I’m sharing it with my readers by linking to this post on my round up this Saturday! Thanks for the inspiraiton of something fun to do that will last in their memories forever!
.-= Kaye´s last blog ..WFMW – When OTC Pain Meds Dont Work =-.
LOVE this!
LOVE this idea- thanks for sharing!
My kids periodically get a “pajama day” at home, where nobody has to get dressed all day. They think it’s a really big deal.
Oh, I LOVE this!!!! Fantastic idea!
I love, Love, LOVE this idea! My girls are 5 and 4, so they’re the perfect age to appreciate something like this. Thank you!
So, now I know what to do on those “mean” days! I had one of those last week and didn’t know how to fix the day. I just tried to start the next day right w/ God first and then with my 6 kiddos. I can’t wait to try this when my husband is out of town (he would not like this idea as it involves too much cleaning up and re-brushing teeth.), but I’ll definitely enjoy it! Thanks for sharing.
What a great idea…we occasionally have “lazy days” where no-one gets dressed, we order in pizza and have movie marathons! I like the late night idea, thanks much!
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