My kids dessert ritual: fun, creative AND frugal

A Woman Less Ordinary - 22 Jan 18

Dessert for young kids is a balancing act.  My feeling is that you really don’t want them to be pumped full of sugar, but to deny them any chocolate, candy or ice cream completely feels very mean.  So we walk a tightrope.

What started out as a means to get rid of bits and pieces of fruit etc. in our house has turned into a “thing”.  I arrange pieces of fruit, along with the odd piece of candy, a cookie or a few squares of chocolate into a shape.  My son particularly likes faces and now actively asks for them, rather than me just quickly cobbling something together and trying to pass it off as dessert!

We call it Mummy Surprise!  and because I’m quirky, even by British standards it has its own theme tune and dance.

To the vague tune of Blankety Blank and with general twirling:

It’s time for Mummy Surprise!  Mummy Surprise!
Mummy Surprise!  Mummy Surprise!
Mummy Surprise will appear before your eeeeeeeyes!

Here’s why Mummy Surprise is so great:

Portion control

By choosing a small plate and spacing out the items the actual amount of dessert looks more than they’re actually getting!  Also, the more interesting shapes for mouths, ears and eyebrows are most easily made with pieces of fruit so it’s healthier for them too.

Fussy eater?

You can offer small pieces of things that are not as well liked in amongst favourites.  Check out my previous post on fussy eating for more tips.

Creativity

What started out as a creative task for me when my son was very small has turned into a creative task for HIM now.  At the weekend he makes his Dad and me his own surprise dessert concoction.  He also has his own theme tune and dance!

Frugality

Have half a banana left over from breakfast?  The last chocolate from the box the adults enjoyed last night  (hahaha; who am I kidding)?  This is a great way to use up those little bits and pieces.  When leftovers are in short supply, I use dried fruit, small sweeties and “creatively” slice up one piece of fruit into a range of shapes.  Whatever is to hand.  Halloween and Christmas candy lasts much longer this way.

Positive behaviour management

My son looks forward to his Mummy Surprise dessert.  In our house, dessert is not a right.  It’s given following good behaviour at mealtimes (you can read more about mealtime behaviour here).

A Woman Less Ordinary lives, parents, purchases and thinks differently.  With 10 years of teaching experience, she has many effective techniques for managing kids’ behaviour (and a lot to say about finance if you’re interested) BUT YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO ANY OF IT!

A Woman Less Ordinary

A Woman Less Ordinary lives, parents, purchases and thinks differently. With 10 years of teaching experience, she has many effective techniques for managing kids’ behaviour (and a lot to say about finance if you’re interested) BUT YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO ANY OF IT!

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