Every night after dinner (and often before dinner is even over), Mazzy asks for dessert. She calls it a “special treat”. As in, “Can I have a special treat? Can I have a special treat? PLEASE MOM, CAN I HAVE A SPECIAL TREAT???”
Repeat ten more times, turning up the volume each time, to get the full effect.
I’m not sure how the words “special treat” replaced “dessert” but the main benefit is that “special treat” works at all times of day and not just after a big meal.
In other words, it is far from “special”.
I spend most of my time either refusing or giving in to Mazzy's repeated “special treat” requests, which means I rarely get the enjoyment of initiating them on my own. When I do say “fine” and hand over a cookie, I'm just thwarting a meltdown as opposed to rewarding good behavior with a smile.
I know, I know— food shouldn’t be used as a reward. Whatever. I don’t know one parent that doesn’t use the promise or denial of sweets as an integral part of their parenting technique.
Recently, I decided to take back control of dessert. If Mazzy was going to eat it, I wanted to reap the benefits.
The first step was preempting Mazzy’s treat request by promising one before dinner even started. This meant her treat was not dependent on finishing her chicken or her broccoli. I was committed. It was happening no matter what.
The next step was making the “special treat” truly SPECIAL. This wasn’t a simple after-dinner cookie on the couch— this was going to be a mommy daughter event.
On a Saturday night, after I put Harlow to bed, I left Mike at home to watch the baby while I took Mazzy out for an ice cream date.
There are a few ice cream shops within walking distance from our apartment but I had my eye on Davey’s— a new shop which makes homemade ice cream on site. Mazzy had stopped to admire their old school storefront earlier that week.
Mike and I rarely go out with the kids after dark, so I think Mazzy found it thrilling just to walk through the city at night. The streets were lit up with colored lights and the sidewalks filled with bar and restaurant hoppers. Mazzy and I exchanged conspiring smiles as the sea of twenty-somethings parted for a mom and her little girl on their way to an ice cream shop. I could tell Mazzy felt like she was doing something a little forbidden. I felt it too. (After all, she hadn’t finished her broccoli.)
Mazzy shunned her usual chocolate choice and opted for vanilla with rainbow sprinkles, which reminded me of getting ice cream with my mother when I was a kid. I used to order chocolate all the time when I was little (it just seemed like it should be the better tasting flavor) and I distinctly remember the moment I realized I actually liked vanilla better.
I attributed Mazzy’s choice to her growing up. Maybe this means she’s now at an age when she can appreciate these moments, when mom “gives” instead of just “gives in”.
I'd like to make these Saturday night ice cream dates a tradition. A simple way to celebrate the every day and make Mazzy feel as "special" as her treat.
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American Express is launching a year-long campaign to shine a spotlight on America’s #EveryDayMoments – from a night out with friends to quality time with your kids, with or without ice cream.
In celebration of Mother’s Day and all things "mom," American Express is teaming up with Maroon 5, DryBar, InterContinental Times Square, Rent the Runway, and SoulCycle to create the “Epic EveryDay Getaway.” To enter, visit www.AmexEveryDayMoments.com and share a photo of your #EverydayMoment that celebrates the spirit of Mother’s Day, along with a caption.
For instance, if I was going to caption the photo up top, I'd say: "She'll eat her broccoli tomorrow".
This post was sponsored by American Express, but all thoughts, opinions and ice cream date ideas are my own.
I love this! We are in the same place with my daughter asking for a “special treat” pretty much every day. What a lovely way to handle it.
what a beautiful idea. I’ll have to dig up a cute picture. loving the contest.
This is a beautiful moment…and then the beauty for the reader was dashed by the shameless plugs at the end. I understand that it is what keeps the site going, but try throwing out a few “beautiful moments” posts you share without the advertorials. Factual or not, I’m getting the feeling that every.single.post is an advertorial and that is not the impression you want to leave with your readers (especially the ones who have followed you since Mazzy was one and silently rooted you on while you gained the success you deserve).
Well, this comment breaks my heart. If you’ve followed my blog since the beginning, you know I left my job to pursue Mommy Shorts full-time this year. It was a huge leap as I do not have the luxury of doing this without an income.
I try really hard to maintain a balance between sponsored and unsponsored content. Perhaps it felt off because I’ve been on vacation this week and for the first time, didn’t blog straight through it. I let myself take two blogging days off- days that would not have been attached to a sponsor.
I also try really hard to come up with unique ways to feature brands so that they fit seamlessly within my content. This blog will not be a success without sponsors, so I choose those sponsors carefully and I spend a lot of time making sure these partnerships are entertaining first, selling second.
There will be more sponsored content coming— in fact I am really excited to announce a huge sponsorship next week. I hope you stick around. I work my ass off trying to make this a place my long time readers still want to be. But I also really appreciate the feedback. I always want my blog to be a platform where I can be candid and have an open conversation with my readers. Don’t be surprised if I reach out to you privately to discuss:)
Who has been teaching our children about “special treats”…we hear the same thing day in/day out/ anytime of day and it is enough to drive me bat-s$*t crazy! That might be my 4 year old’s plan…if I’m totally crazy I will probably agree to cereal with ice cream for breakfast! I really enjoyed/related to this post and had no problem with the ad plug at the end. Will have to try a special date with my daughter soon.
I’ve never commented on your blog before but this little story just touched my heart! I’m one of those twenty-something’s, caught right smack dab between being young and going out and being supported by my parents, and actually growing up into an adult and having my own family and supporting myself (I’m recently engaged, about to turn 22, and graduating college in the next couple months). While I’d probably still get Mazzy-level excitement from my mom randomly taking me out for ice cream when I’m home over break, this makes me feel like maybe I’d want to pass on that excitement and joy to a little someone else. You are such a wonderful writer!!
Don’t let it break your heart. Sponsorship, and promotion of sponsorships, have obviously allowed you to persue something you absolutely love to do. The love, affection and humour you treat each day shines through in every post, and I for one, someone who doesn’t even have kids (yet), appreciates companies giving you the opportunity to do this full time. Thanks for all your posts, they are truley a joy to read!
I don’t usually comment on blogs, but I just wanted to chime in on the topic of sponsorship, especially since you seem so open to feedback. I’m a huge fan of your blog, and it’s great to see it becoming more widely read. One suggestion: (I imagine this is something you’ve contemplated) I’ve noticed on many other blogs which feature sponsored posts, the posts that are sponsored tend to be more directly labeled; some posts are identified as sponsored in the title, or in italics/asterisks in the opening lines. This has never dissuaded me from reading posts but it does, I think, help prevent readers from feeling what Rose expressed because the nature of the post is apparent right from the start.
First of all, I LOVED this post. It’s so beautifully written, that it even seemed to me like a great idea for a short children’s book! I could see cool illustrations of the hipsters parting for you and Mazzy on the sidewalk, the ice cream shop, etc. Gorgeous.
Secondly, as a fellow long-time reader of your blog (and hey, I even signed in via FB so you can finally see my face, WHAT) I have to say that I had no problem with the fact that the post was sponsored. If anything I was like, “Go girl!” because isn’t a blog that makes money living the dream? After I read the previous comment, I can see her point, but I really looked back at my reaction and it wasn’t disappointment at all. I doubt that your blog is going to turn into nothing but a bunch of ads. You have truly great content and it IS real, even when some of the posts are sponsored. Nothing wrong with that.
(Edited for clarity)
That’s an interesting point. I am usually more explicit about sponsorship at the beginning of my posts because the brand/product/service is more integral to the content. This wasn’t a post about Am Ex, it was a post about taking my daughter out for ice cream, so I guess it felt like more of a surprise to learn that Am Ex was involved at the end. It’s definitely something for me to think about.
The problem with putting “sponsored” in the title is that it’s not clear who wrote it. I can’t tell you how many requests I get from companies to “guest post”. I turn down every one of them. On some blogs, when I see “sponsored” or “ad” in the title, I assume it was written by the company.
Another thing I am realizing is that now that I do more sponsored content, people assume I’m being paid whenever I mention a company. For instance, earlier this week, I posted the job interview video for American Greetings. I posted it because people were talking about it and being about moms, it was relevant to my blog. It wasn’t a paid placement. I wonder if that’s one reason Rose felt like all my posts this week have been sponsored.
I could care less if its a sponsored post or not! You’re still entertaining me, why should it matter what the intention is beyond that? I am grateful you’re able to be supported by all these companies and am one of those weirdos who clicks on your sponsor links, your ads and whatever else, because I want you to be successful on this scary journey of self-employment! I read your content bc it’s real, no matter who’s paying for it, your voice always comes through. Good job!
I second what Erin said. Also, I appreciate being clued into contests and giveaways that companies are offering. I enjoy a fun challenge and I’d be left in the dark if you didn’t give us a heads up 🙂
My 4 year old son saw this and said, “I like the picture of the girl eating ice cream in the bathroom.” I guess our bathroom floor is similar to Davey’s.
Good luck with doing the blog full time!
Late posting on this but I totally felt this was a post about Mazzy time and I loved it and in no way thought this was something you were doing because you were sponsored but something you were doing because you love hanging out with Mazzy and celebrating the opportunity to be a “yes” mom. I am yet to read one of your sponsored posts where I have felt like you are purely promoting and not sharing your life stories. And yet to find a sponsor that doesn’t kinda fit (even if we don’t get all the products outside North America. Your blig rocks. Keep doing what you do how you do it.
Or blog. Stupid smart phone.
Love the shot of the ice cream shop. It’s nice taking your daughter out for a special treat (after dark). I try to do that too only usually my attempts get ruined by my kids whining or driving me to the point of screaming at them. But it’s always a nice idea.
Nothing says I love you like a rainbow!