How much of these things do you consider a treat?

[LajesticVantrashell]

Person A has done/given/bought her DC the following this weekend. Person B thinks this is excessive and that they're all treats which should be given rarely and sporadically.

1. McDonald's
2. Soft play
3. Swimming
4. A new book
5. A small bag of jelly sweets
6. A magazine

This is in between an afternoon in the park, a walk up a hill and some down time playing at home.

How often do your DCs do/have the above?

McDonald's always causes this divide! In rl there's definitely a snobbery about it, people talk about their stomachs being in bits after curries etc but you mention mcds and you're the devil!! Each to their own!

1. McDonald's - when mummy cba to cook... sort of a treat but also food (sort of)
2. Soft play - a thing to do - not really a treat
3. Swimming - a thing to do not really a treat
4. A new book - maybe, depends on circumstances, probably not a treat...
5. A small bag of jelly sweets - definite once in a while thing, not sure I think in terms of treats any more actually - more sugar intake
6. A magazine - rarely - have you seen the price of those things?!

None

If nothing else, this thread helps me to understand why so many on mumsnet describe softplay as noisy/dirty etc. For £3 entry, that makes sense.
Ours are spotless and not very noisy even when busy, but its £18 entry (1 adult, 1child)
I had assumed prices are similar everywhere!

The one we go to is £3 entry (well £3.50) and perfectly fine... noisy in that children tend to yell a bit, but cleaned extremely regularly. It’s cheap because we live in a cheap area, not because they pay for less cleaning and noise control!

@myself2020 were on earth are you!?

There are soft plays here that can cost £7 or £8 for 2 hours (more for 3) per person, so if you take 2 kids, you can spend quite a bit.

The most expensive ones are not necessarily the cleanest and best ones though.

There are soft plays here that can cost £7
Yes our local ones are that price but they don’t charge for adults. In one, they have cheaper morning sessions and offer a free cup of coffee. It is the oldest one and all staff are very young. I have no faith in its cleanliness.

could easily do all of them over one weekend, possibly even day.

All of them are treats, I personally wouldn't give them all in a single afternoon..

@Canadianpancake southeast. all softplays around us are massive, high halls, usually with outdoor space. £18 is actually a cheaper one. They all charge for adults though

myself2020 That is really expensive. Here they are that price per child for a birthday party where they serve a few chips and nuggets and cut and serve the cake you bring along.

Other than that we can go to multi floor interactive role play/science places for that price. I really enjoy those types of soft play centres.

I think everyone should decide for themselves what is appropriate for their kids and what isn't. It is no one else's business. Different houses different rules. Simple as that.

Anything that makes a child happy could considered a treat...
That doesnt mean there aren't other benefits though. Exercise, education, needing to be fed.
(McDonalds is more of a treat for me, as I dont have to cook!).
The only thing in that list that can serve no other purpose, but reward, are the sweets.

McDonald’s- About once a month

Soft Play - Once every couple of weeks, we got an annual membership for £75 for both children instead of £6.95 each per visit. A treat would be having lunch at the soft play.

Swimming - Weekly swimming lessons

New Book - occasionally if asked for usually if they have read a book at school or nursery they have enjoyed

Bag of sweets- after school Friday and or weekends

Magazine- rainy days if we are at the shops

Don’t t really consider any of these things treats. Treats for us are days out places like Aquariums, Wildlife Park, Seasides, National Trust sites, Farms.

I would not consider that excessive.
In my opinion swimming and reading are essential life skills.
The sweets and Macdonalds are more of a treat but not excessive.

1. McDonald's Hardly ever def a treat?? but not a good one!

1. Soft play went weekly pre school to toddler one, then when older a rare treat.

1. Swimming Absolute necessity lessons once a week from age 3-10

1. A new book Not a treat but we only did at BD Xmas, otherwise Library.

1. A small bag of jelly sweets

Not good for the teeth

1. A magazine

Subscribed to art/ or wildlife RSPB etc.