I had an epiphany this morning.
I repeatedly have the same conversations with my dcks in regards to treats. I get so frustrated discussing the same topic over and over and having them ask the same questions, always seeking a treat. I finally realized the breakdown in communication is our definition of the word "treat." We are using the same word, but our meanings are completely different. In my vocabulary, the words "treat" and "reward" are not interchangeable. A treat is something outside the realm of our daily norm that happens on special occasions, therefore I refer to it as a nice treat. In dck's world, a treat is always something you earn. We can both say, "Last night we got ice cream for a special treat," but I mean we got ice cream for something special and different, and they mean we got ice cream b/c we behaved all day.
We typically have a no junk food policy during daycare hours, but I do occasionally freeze chocolate almond milk in popsicle molds or we bake healthier cookies together as a group or something like that. Without fail they ask me why we're having these things and I always respond with "Oh, just for a special treat." Then they are very upset for the next couple days when we don't make special treats again. I think they're thinking when I say "treat" its b/c they've been good so when I say not today they don't understand what they've done to lose the treat. I'm really just saying, I felt like doing something special today. It has nothing to do with being good, bad, or indifferent. Sometimes I'm just bored and want a special treat. :
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It finally clicked for me yesterday when dcg asked ds why he doesn't get a treat during family movie night. (Both of our families do Friday night movie night, but we do it a bit differently and they were talking about what to expect at their house.) Ds seemed a bit confused by her question and I finally had a lightbulb moment. I explained that while we occasionally do bake cookies or get icecream to eat during the movie, we consider having all of our family home to spend time together to be a treat. She looked pretty skeptical and said, "Well at my house I get candy."
Maybe it won't make any difference, but I feel like now I can explain better, or maybe use different wording so they're not so frustrated. Just found it an interesting discovery. Do any of you run into this issue as well?
![Laughing](https://chat.daycare.com/core/images/smilies//laugh.gif)
We typically have a no junk food policy during daycare hours, but I do occasionally freeze chocolate almond milk in popsicle molds or we bake healthier cookies together as a group or something like that. Without fail they ask me why we're having these things and I always respond with "Oh, just for a special treat." Then they are very upset for the next couple days when we don't make special treats again. I think they're thinking when I say "treat" its b/c they've been good so when I say not today they don't understand what they've done to lose the treat. I'm really just saying, I felt like doing something special today. It has nothing to do with being good, bad, or indifferent. Sometimes I'm just bored and want a special treat. :
![Laughing](https://chat.daycare.com/core/images/smilies//laugh.gif)
It finally clicked for me yesterday when dcg asked ds why he doesn't get a treat during family movie night. (Both of our families do Friday night movie night, but we do it a bit differently and they were talking about what to expect at their house.) Ds seemed a bit confused by her question and I finally had a lightbulb moment. I explained that while we occasionally do bake cookies or get icecream to eat during the movie, we consider having all of our family home to spend time together to be a treat. She looked pretty skeptical and said, "Well at my house I get candy."
![Laughing](https://chat.daycare.com/core/images/smilies//laugh.gif)
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