Yes! Thank you. You said it much more eloquently and concisely than I did.

Pizza isn't a treat in my family, it's a weekly (or when DH is gone maybe daily... :lol: ) event. Of course dinner isn't a gift, well, unless someone is making it for me instead of me slogging away in the kitchen then it is DEFINITELY a gift! I think my response is being blown out of proportion. Going out and specifically getting a dessert or take out to me is a treat that isn't viable over time and could lead to the child expecting it. ETA: Specifically related to assuaging "mom guilt" for going out with one's husband and leaving the child at home. If you don't agree, then that's fine.

I totally understand where you're coming from. My response comes from looking around my house and seeing layers of entitlement in our lives, and I have really good kids. Sigh. It's not just the once (or every few times) that Mom and Dad go out, but that piled on top of assuaging mom guilt in other ways, treats here and there that have become less special because they're given all of the time. At least that's what I'm pulling back from in my house. In my group circle (middle class, church going, homeschooling SAHM ) the kids seem to have lots of entitlement issues, even subtle ones (and even my own kids). We've tried very hard to keep it from happening, but it seems to creep in there. :sad: You, of course, are absolutely welcome to do whatever works for your family! You may not have the issues in your group that we have.

...but it also increases the expectation that he'll "get something" every time Mom and Dad want to go out. :sad: I totally get it though and I'd have to talk myself down from doing so. I'd leave him home by himself. The fact that he could do what he wants *within reason* for a few hours should be motivation enough for him.

My kids both loved The Great Escape. I will be watching this thread for ideas!