When Saying Yes Feels Wrong — And Saying No Feels Lonely

I want to tell you about a dear friend of mine — a thoughtful, loving parent — who’s been struggling with a decision that might sound familiar:

Should she let their child get that popular video game everyone is playing?

On one hand, the pressure is intense. Their child has been asking for a while, saying things like, “Everyone else has it!” and “I’ll be the only one left out.”

That pull – the fear of exclusion, of social fallout — is very real.

But She also has this quiet, steady voice inside her.

It says:
I know my child. I know they get overstimulated easily. I know what this kind of fast-paced, often-violent content does to their mood. I know what we value as a family — and how fragile our screen-time balance already is.

She came to me with a heavy heart, saying, “I don’t want to be the ‘mean parent.’ I don’t want to isolate them. But I also don’t want to abandon what I believe is right for my child, just to keep up.”

And honestly? I felt her pain.

This is the invisible burden so many of us carry — choosing between what feels aligned with our values and what the culture around us expects.

Sometimes it feels like no matter what you choose, something (or someone) will be upset.

There’s no perfect answer here.

But what I told my friend — and what I’d say to you — is this:


It’s okay to pause.  It’s okay not to say yes just because others are.

Slow down and ask yourself:

Do you want to make a decision based on fear, guilt, or pressure?

Or is it coming from what you know, deep down, is right for your child right now?

It’s okay not to say yes just because others are.
And it’s also okay to say yes — with intention, with limits, with clear expectations.

Whether you say yes, no, or “maybe later,” what matters most is that your choice is conscious — not reactionary.

Whichever way you go, let it be a decision made from love and feels aligned to your values, not pressure.

That’s where your power is!

If you're ready to take your parenting to the next level, or feel stuck in your parenting journey, message me directly or a book a free Parenting Roadmap call.

Best,
Dr. Sarita