Back to School with Nestle: Sweet Rewards

by | Aug 13, 2009 | contests & giveaways, in the kitchen, motherhood | 21 comments

nestlesweet As a child, I read somewhere that “food should never be used as a reward or a punishment.” My children are certainly grateful I didn’t take those words to heart; I believe in its use as a reward and sometimes an incentive. We mothers need everything we can get in our bag of tricks.

I’m pleased to be partnering with Nestle and featuring some of their yummiest sweet treats, and even treats for the dog!

Ice Cream

Ice cream is a treat. Sometimes it can be “just because I love you” or as an incentive for hard work or good behavior. I’m planning ice cream sundaes for our first day back to school, and for “thank you for being good at the library today” kind of rewards.

My husband is building a playset in our backyard, which unfortunately is sloped. Leveling a large enough area has been a time-consuming process. The kids help, but shoveling dirt gets old after awhile, especially when your friends want you to ride your bike or play baseball.

Sometimes the neighbor kids help, too. The work is more fun together, plus my kids finish faster. One night I had an idea: offer everyone ice cream if they helped the following night. My husband got home and said, “I’m really tired, but all of the kids are begging me to work in the yard.”

Did you get that? Our kids and one of the neighbors were begging for yard work. Of course I raced to the store and got ice cream to fulfill my part of the bargain.

Haagen-Dazs ice cream is a personal favorite of mine. My 12-year-old daughter unexpectedly brought me a dish of strawberry Haagen-Dazs topped with whipped cream last night while I was working on the computer (even moms need rewarded for hard work).

Before bed, I opened a carton of dulce de leche and had one spoonful (we’re not going to discuss the amount of ice cream I eat). Y’all, it was earthly paradise. In a move learned from my kids, I tucked that carton into a hidden corner of the freezer.

Nestle offers a wide assortment of cold, sweet treats: Edy’s Dibs bite-sized frozen snacks; Edy’s Slow Churned, available in Light, No Sugar, Yogurt Added, and Cups; Edy’s Fruit Bars, loaded with real fruit. The Skinny Cow line offers an assortment of bars, sandwiches, and cones that are approved Best Life™ treats. You can follow @TheSkinnyCow on Twitter.

I love the way Edy’s has embraced the feel-good nature of ice cream. Check out their new flavor: Red, White, and No More Blues. If you know anyone having a tonsillectomy, tell them about the free Tonsillectomy Care Package!

Dessert Ideas with Coffee Mate

Although not a coffee drinker, I’ve used Coffee Mate to make homemade hot cocoa. We gave jars of it for Christmas gifts one year. I wasn’t aware, however, of the wealth of beverage and dessert recipes involving this product, ranging from Cappuccino Cheesecake to Hot Spiced Brew.

Don’t Forget Fido!

 Back to school affects everyone: even the dog. When the kids take off for school or homeschool activities, as in our case, the dog gets left behind. Nestle makes quality dog foods, like Purina ONE. I just switched our dog to the Vibrant Maturity 7+ Senior Formula. Beggin’ Strips are a great way to treat Fido when he’s left at home.

Promotions, product samples, special offers, and more from Nestle

How do you use sweet rewards? Leave it in the comments section to be entered to win a $500 Walmart gift card compliments of My Home Sweet Home and Nestle!

I would really appreciate your help spreading the word. Tweet or post the following to Facebook — Share sweet rewards ideas for a chance to win a $500 Walmart gift card from Nestle & @DawnMHSH! http://bit.ly/F3BUH — for another entry. Just leave it in a separate comment.

Feel free to subscribe to my feed via reader or email. Watch for a separate contest later this month where I’ll be giving away another $500 Walmart gift card!

Related Posts:

Back to School with Nestle: Lunches

Back to School with Nestle: Handling Supper on Hectic Days

21 Comments

  1. Alli
    Alli on August 13, 2009 at 1:21 pm

    I’m a fan of sweet rewards- lollipops at Sunday School, ice cream as a reward for walking home in the hot sun, and even some Skinny Cows for me during quiet time (because I deserve a reward for making it to quiet time!).
    .-= Alli´s last blog ..Egg Muffins :: Works For Me Wednesday =-.

  3. Cindy C.
    Cindy C. on August 13, 2009 at 1:51 pm

    I use sweet rewards…just because. I love all the things you mention in your post (especially Dibs!!), but my no fail, must have Nestle product is still the semi-sweet morsels. Kids and friends are always begging for my tollhouse cookies, so I’m happy to oblige!!

  4. Cindy C.
    Cindy C. on August 13, 2009 at 1:52 pm

    Tweeted! 🙂

  5. Candi
    Candi on August 13, 2009 at 2:32 pm

    My husband uses sweet rewards as an incentive to get the kids to exercise at the YMCA. After playing tennis with the kids (or if they don’t play tennis they have to run around the courts), he does a “sweaty head” check. Whoever has the sweatiest head, gets the most ice cream (from Sonic or Wendy’s). The kids don’t even seem to care that their siblings get more than them.

    We also use candy as treats for using the potty when we’re potty training. Sometimes I think they go more often just to get more treats!

    And we would never encourage them to eat all of their veggies just so that they could get dessert 😉
    .-= Candi´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Who wants to jump? =-.

  10. Marsha
    Marsha on August 13, 2009 at 4:21 pm

    First, that tonsillectomy care package is such a neat idea! I’ll have to bookmark that.

    Second, ice cream is a treat here as well. Nothing like ice cream to reward a diligent school day, good attitudes or ahem, good attitudes while posing for pictures for mommy. 🙂

    I have to admit though, my absolute fav is the Coffeemate. I am so excited about those new stick packets they have. I am always sure to keep a couple in my purse and glove compartment (because yes, having GOOD coffee is THAT important when I’m out and about!). Speaking of which, time for a coffee break!
    .-= Marsha´s last blog ..The Country Club =-.

  11. Heather Harris
    Heather Harris on August 13, 2009 at 4:24 pm

    I love using sweet rewards for a job well done on a hot day, such as pulling weeds from the garden, or mowing the lawn. It cools them off, and it’s a fun treat.
    .-= Heather Harris´s last blog ..Am I Crazy????!!! =-.

  13. Naomi
    Naomi on August 13, 2009 at 4:26 pm

    Bribery! With a 2 year old and a 5 year old, sometimes it is very necessary…
    .-= Naomi´s last blog ..Balloonatic =-.

  14. Tina P.
    Tina P. on August 13, 2009 at 5:38 pm

    I admit I don’t do it as often as the kids would like, but we like the easy treats / rewards. A favorite – freeze the portable yogurt tubes. It’s just that much better than a popsicle.

    Our newest incentive for doing chores diligently and happily . . . on their date with Dad – he’ll take them to Starbucks!

  15. Kristal
    Kristal on August 13, 2009 at 6:01 pm

    Last year I started giving Hersey Bars when something big was completed in school – like a workbook finished, or a report done. Made everyone sit up and pay attention the first time and then they wanted to earn their own!

  17. sprittibee
    sprittibee on August 13, 2009 at 10:36 pm

    I have been known to offer small pieces of candy or chocolate in between rows of finished math problems just to keep the momentum going. 😉 I also reward sweet teeth with a dessert of choice after a well-done school day when the chores are finished.

    My daughter rewards my sweet tooth with chocolate chip cookies if she wants to butter me up to ask if her best friend can come over and spend the night. It usually works!
    .-= sprittibee´s last blog ..The WHERE of School =-.

  19. Traci Best
    Traci Best on August 14, 2009 at 9:22 am

    We have been known to use sweet rewards for a job well done on school assignments that day (we homeschool) or for a child who is helpful without being asked. I keep a big barrel of Dum Dums and a big bag of Tootsie Roll midgies just for that purpose.
    .-= Traci Best´s last blog ..Notebooks! =-.

  21. Celesta Brown
    Celesta Brown on August 14, 2009 at 2:00 pm

    We engage sweet rewards for potty training. My kids are skinny cow fanatics and will run to the potty for one.

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