These Season Passes Changed Everything About How I Parent
After Covid losses taught me that time isn't guaranteed, I made one "impractical" decision that revolutionized our family...
These Season Passes Changed Everything About How I Parent
After the pandemic, when Disneyland finally reopened, I did something that felt completely impractical: I bought season passes for our family.
Not for a special occasion. Not because we "deserved" it. Simply because I wanted my kids to know that joy didn't have to be rare or earned or perfectly timed.
"But what about all the other experiences they could have?" people asked. "What about museums and hiking and educational trips?"
Here's what I learned: When you stop treating joy like a limited resource, there's room for everything.
When joy becomes non-negotiable
We experienced some family losses and changes during Covid, and something shifted in how I thought about time and priorities. I realized we'd been limiting ourselves to vacations that made sense because of somebody else's needs—planning trips around other people's life events or choosing what seemed most "responsible."
But what if we planned family trips around something we all genuinely enjoyed doing together? What if joy became as important as practicality?
Those season passes meant we could go to Disneyland without it being a big production. No pressure to do everything, see everything, make it perfect. We could go for three hours just to ride Space Mountain twice and get churros.
My kids started talking about Disneyland the way other families talk about going to the park. Not as a rare treat, but as a regular source of connection and fun.
The magic of predictable joy
I see this pattern with my clients all the time—women who treat happiness like something that has to be earned through suffering or achievement. Who feel guilty for investing in experiences that bring pure joy.
One client, Sarah, told me she felt selfish for wanting to take her family on vacation when they could be saving that money for something more "practical."
"What if joy isn't frivolous?" I asked her. "What if it's essential?"
This is the Recognition phase of the Life Upgrade Method—recognizing that you've been operating from old patterns that no longer serve you. For me, the pattern was "joy is earned." For Sarah, it was "joy is selfish."
What changes when you choose joy consistently
Having those season passes created something unexpected in our family culture. We became people who prioritize play. Who understand that connection doesn't always have to be serious or educational or productive.
When my kids get in the car after a day at Disneyland, they don't talk about all the rides they missed or the characters they didn't meet. They talk about the moment Dad screamed louder than anyone on the Incredicoaster. The time we shared a Dole Whip and watched the fireworks.
They remember connection, not perfection.
Your joy doesn't need justification
In this Arizona heat, when it's 112 degrees and the kids are already back in school, there's something beautiful about having a reliable source of family joy. Every few months, we pile in the car, drive to Anaheim, and remember that we're not just a family managing schedules and responsibilities. We're people who know how to play together.
The Life Upgrade Method teaches us that joy isn't the reward for a life well-lived—it's the fuel. When you stop apologizing for the things that bring you happiness and start investing in them intentionally, everything shifts.
As I explored in my newsletter about creating your authentic summer, the most important question isn't what looks responsible—it's what aligns with your values.
What I'm wondering
What would change if you stopped treating joy like a luxury and started treating it like a necessity? What experiences have you been putting off because they don't seem practical enough, educational enough, or responsible enough?
Your family's happiness is worth investing in. Not someday when you've earned it, but right now, exactly as you are.
A few friendly notes: Client names are always changed to protect privacy. This newsletter may contain affiliate links to products I genuinely love and use myself. While I'm a licensed therapist, this content is for educational purposes and isn't medical advice - think of it as a conversation with a friend who happens to know about mental health. For personalized support, always consult your healthcare provider.