My daughter hops into the car. I ask her about her day and she cheerfully announces that they had an ice cream party. She goes on to explain how they had a choice of two different ice creams and several different toppings. Of course, the other kids are green with envy. Not to be outdone, my son pipes up about his popcorn party and the movie they watched.

So is it the last day of school? Nope, it is just another “party” for good behavior. The good behavior rewards can vary from popcorn or pizza parties, assorted snacks (like ice cream and popcorn) to extra recess or a movie.

To me the best and most appropriate reward is the extra recess. Now, I know my school isn’t the only school that does this. Nor am I the only parent who wonders why behaving merits such huge rewards.

My kids collect points in school for doing such amazing things as behaving in the hall, not talking in class, getting their homework done. The kids collect a certain number of these points and TA DA they get a party. It seems they are always having a party for good behavior.

Shouldn’t I be happy that they are behaving? Well, yes and no. It troubles me that most of the parties focus on food. Yes, occasionally the class will elect to have an extra recess but really if you give a roomful of kids a choice between extra recess (especially in winter) and ice cream which one do you think they will choose?

This seems a little self-defeating considering the schools are very concerned about obesity and good nutrition and yet they have parties that reward good behavior with snacks.

I also wonder why behaving isn’t reward enough? I expect my kids to behave at home, do their chores, be kind, not sass off, and eat their meals for no other reason except that is what they are supposed to do. When they are good, I praise them for being good. Other then that I do not intend to reward them for behaving.

Do you think rewarding good behavior, which is really just how your kids should be acting, with special treats (especially food) is a good idea?