…whose mama is too cheap frugal anyway:
My poor kids. The ice cream man comes every day – sometimes twice a day. And my neighbors let their kids partake 80% of the time.
How many reasons do you have for saying no?
———————————————
I’d love to see more of you! Sign up for a free email subscription or grab my reader feed. You can also follow me on Twitter, get KS for Kindle, or see my Facebook Fan Page.
If you missed the last Monday Mission, click here.
Kitchen Stewardship is dedicated to balancing God’s gifts of time, health, earth and money. If you feel called to such a mission, read more at Mission, Method, and Mary and Martha Moments.
More Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom and frugal tips at Life as MOM.
The ice cream truck comes around here too, but while my kids know the song, they haven’t yet realized he is selling ice cream. I’m cheap, the girls can’t have milk, and I don’t like all the sugar/chemicals anyway!
[Reply to this comment]
Just one… “The are not good for you. All they are are sugar, HFCS, and food coloring. I will make you a yummy popsicle and we can eat it later.” They might be disapointed for a second, but it passes.
[Reply to this comment]
My girls are in the same boat as your son! hehe. I’m cheap, the ice-cream in the truck here is pretty pricey and has who knows what chemicals and such in it. I try to keep natural ice cream on hand to appease them
We also make popsicles out of fruit smoothies.
.-= Hollie´s last blog .. =-.
[Reply to this comment]
#1 – Parental Rule: Don’t start none, there won’t be none. Daily begging for ice cream money would drive me crazy.
#2 – High fructose corn syrup. I don’t want my kids eating it.
I’ve taught my kids HFCS is bad for them. Everytime they want a food that has HFCS in it, I come right out and say the food maker ruined it for them to eat it. This way, Mom’s not the bad guy. My kids walk away saying, “I wish they’d stop putting that stuff in our favorite foods.”
Make a big batch homemade popsicles with your kids. That way, every time the truck comes by your kids can run inside and get one straight from the freezer. We make yogurt pops and I’ve told the kids they can eat two a day. They choose when they eat them. It’s worked out great.
.-= Jill McKeever´s last blog ..How To Freeze Peaches and How To Peel Frozen Peaches =-.
[Reply to this comment]
Katie Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 12:36 am
Jill,
Katie
I literally just put “make yogurt pops” on my to-do list for Monday. Brilliant!
[Reply to this comment]
Jen@FrugalFreebiesandDeals Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 2:04 am
just another way to use up all that yogurt
.-= Jen@FrugalFreebiesandDeals´s last blog ..New Coupons from Cellfire for July =-.
[Reply to this comment]
My mom told us for years that it was a music truck. Guess that won’t work if the other neighborhood kids get to partake though…
[Reply to this comment]
Katie Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 12:33 am
JulieAnn,
Katie
I tried the “ignorance is bliss” model for as long as I could!
[Reply to this comment]
With one gf-cf-peanut-egg free child who I try to limit food coloring with as well, the ice cream man has nothing he could have!! We can buy one box of ice cream sandwiches for what he charges plus the ice cream hasn’t thawed and refroze, thawed and refroze possibly dozens of time!! Plus I can find something much healthier!!
My 8 year old daughter didn’t get a treat last summer but her friend did. She told me, “Whitney’s mom loves her.” I replied that the reason she wasn’t getting unhealthy treat was because her mom did love her too!! We all show our love differently!!
[Reply to this comment]
http://tntkell.typepad.com/keepitreal/2010/06/chocolate-chip-ice-cream-sandwiches.html
Make these and give him one each time the evil ice cream truck comes around! Then you can feel sorry for all the kids getting junk while your son eats yummy real food!
[Reply to this comment]
Katie Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 12:34 am
Tara,
Katie
Those are gorgeous, girl. I wish it didn’t come right before dinner, it always seems, so I don’t even want to substitute like that. Yummy though. (And did you see how many people clicked over to you? Fabulous!)
[Reply to this comment]
The prices are ridiculous! But — you could use it to teach an economic lesson. Give him, say $6 and take him to the ice cream truck to show him what he could get (probably 1 or 2 things). Then take him to the grocery store and show him the half-gallon of organic ice cream he can get for the same price!
.-= Camille´s last blog ..Menu Plan Monday- June 27 =-.
[Reply to this comment]
We’re the same way. I keep some treats tucked into the freezer for days like this. The occasional treat isn’t what bothers me, because we used to let them get an ice cream every great once in awhile, but it’s the safety factor of the ice cream…how many times has it thawed?
.-= Darcy´s last blog ..Flax Seed coming in to Substitute for Egg… =-.
[Reply to this comment]
too cute of a pic though
Sounds like keeping the makings of your own popsicles might be in order….. that way he can have the “good ones”
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Granola =-.
[Reply to this comment]
My kids are pretty good about knowing what is junk – in fact, they are embarassing in the grocery store sometimes when they declare the stuff in other people’s carts as junk. I’m good until they stop buying the “it’s junk. like germs!” arguement (which can’t be far off).
.-= Jen @ BigBinder´s last blog ..But…Can I Keep it Clean =-.
[Reply to this comment]
Aww, that looks so sad. My kids encounter the ice cream truck almost every day in the summer. I gave in once last year… We were at the beach with a visiting SAD-eating uncle who offered. Also it was the hottest day in 25 years, I think.
Usually, I explain that the ice cream is full of yucky chemicals and gluten (which the little one can’t have). Sometimes I promise a homemade treat (ice cream, kefir pops, or honey on a spoon if I’m feeling lazy).
[Reply to this comment]
My SIL, in what I consider to be a stroke of genius, told her three-year-old son that the ice cream truck was a “special music truck.” Now, when the ice cream truck comes around, my nephew gets excited, but only to hear the tinny notes of the special music truck.
[Reply to this comment]
I heard a wonderful idea from a friend of mine. When the ice cream truck would come by when she was little, playing it’s music. Her dad would say, “OH, if they’re playing music that means they’re out of ice cream!”.
Will have to try that with mine when they’re old enough…and make sure to have plenty of homemade ice cream on hand to keep them from wondering…lol.
[Reply to this comment]
We have an ice cream man who come by randomly. I tried catching him twice last year but we live on the third floor. Alas, it is not to be.
Either way I have a popsicle mold. If we want treats we just have to open the freezer.
.-= Alyce´s last blog ..Menu Planning 6-27-10 =-.
[Reply to this comment]
I say no all the time, too. Ours seem to only come around right around dinner time.
[Reply to this comment]
That picture is adorable!
My sister and I were able to make a purchase from the ice-cream truck only twice a summer… her birthday and July 4. I remember always being dissapointed with my very carefully selected item (freezer burned and strange tasting “blue” flavor).
I find it interesting how Shrek gives such mixed messages. The friendly ogre is part of get out and play campaign and also pushes ice-creams. Schizophrenic almost!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Fried Rice =-.
[Reply to this comment]
Awe! Made me laugh though bec. I know exactly what you mean by the “saying no” part. lol. We have an ice cream truck and a snowball truck. Thankfully both of them come later in the evening when we are typically getting DD ready for bed.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday- Real Food Weight Loss =-.
[Reply to this comment]
I’m much too cheap as well (and I’m sure all that stuff tastes icky). A friend from church told me that when their kids were younger, they told them the ice cream truck ONLY played music when it was all out of ice cream. I bet they are too old now to buy that line, but I’ve thought about using it for my 3 year old son
[Reply to this comment]
how about this instead sometimes..
hey honey, come inside, lets make our own!!! What flavor(s) would you like? Woud you like to invite the neighbors?
We just made blackberry chocolate!!! It is freezing in the freezer right now!!
jen
.-= Jen@FrugalFreebiesandDeals´s last blog ..Printable Coupon for 6-pack of Blue Sky Free soda – save 1 June 2010 =-.
[Reply to this comment]
We just saw a picture of one in truck book we read. My son hasn’t seen one in real life yet.
[Reply to this comment]
oh yeah and like someone above said.. Popsicles!! Yogurt or Yogurt and fruit!!
.-= Jen@FrugalFreebiesandDeals´s last blog ..Printable Coupon for 6-pack of Blue Sky Free soda – save 1 June 2010 =-.
[Reply to this comment]
When DS was 1yo, the IC truck came to the park. While we were GFDF at the time, I looked at the “menu” to figure out what options we could have. Artificially dyed HFCS rockets? No WAY! I’ve often wondered how we’d handle it once he realizes what’s inside, and how sad DS would feel if I told him “No” while all friends run up to the truck. We call the big red cola truck “poison truck!”, but I’m still trying to figure out the IC truck moniker.
[Reply to this comment]
Between the artificial colors, ubiquitous corn, and other various ingredients, there is not a single thing in that truck to which my poor girl is not allergic; so it’s easy for us to say no. She is disappointed but understands. And then we pull out something homemade and yummy to make up for it!
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..BBB Korni Bread – soy free version =-.
[Reply to this comment]
Sounds like it’s time to break out the home made ice cream machine! Do you have one?? I’m thinking raw milk (or coconut milk), agave syrup or honey, fresh berries….could be very yummy for him!
[Reply to this comment]
Katie Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 12:47 am
Suzanne,
Katie
It’s kind of on my “someday” wish list…but I’m thinking I’d never have room in the freezer to freeze the insert! My freezer(s) are scary, very full places. I can do popsicles/yogurt pops though – need to find those molds!
[Reply to this comment]
Jen@FrugalFreebiesandDeals Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 2:02 am
do it katie- it’s not like it stays in there all the time. I can do it and my freezer is scary (kind of like my desk- lol)
.-= Jen@FrugalFreebiesandDeals´s last blog ..New Coupons from Cellfire for July =-.
[Reply to this comment]
When my daugter was young (1980′s lol) the ice-cream man ripped her off- from the dollar I gave her, she returned w/ a popsicle and no change… well, long story short: Every time the ding-dong man drove through our neighborhood, I gave her money to put into her piggy-bank….byefore the end of summer she bought her own new bike
LOL–the dept store personnel actually became insolent that I didn’t just write a check!
and yes, they do chant my frugal savings!
TODAY: when the ding-dong man is in the neighborhood, my grandkids are given a store bought (no not real food, that’s another goodie-time story) frozen treat and wave them in the air for ALL to see–heck, $1.00 for a box of 12 ‘ice creams’ vs. $3.00 for a single
[Reply to this comment]
Once my kids realized that a single popsicle cost as much as a half gallon of ice cream, they scorn the ice cream truck and tell all their friends they are getting ripped off, LOL!
.-= Milehimama´s last blog ..Hurricane Preparedness- If You Evacuate =-.
[Reply to this comment]
Great photo! I am sure the treats his mama makes are way better anyway!
.-= Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen´s last blog ..Versatile Sourdough – Bread- Cake and Pretzels =-.
[Reply to this comment]
My reasons: it’s bad for them, it’s not in the budget, and ice cream truck drivers creep me out LOL.
.-= dawn´s last blog ..My First Guest PostCheck it Out- =-.
[Reply to this comment]
That is all to real for us too! We are GF and vegan so it is a little hard when it does come around. When we first found out the kids had food issues the ice cream truck rolled around and all of the cousins bought some and my kids was too young to understand why not, because cousins were all getting some. My youngest did cry and in the other room I overheard my aunt calling me a “Nazi Mom”!
Well, if I care about what kind of food goes in my children and their health then I guess so
Not everyone gets it.
.-= Keilah´s last blog ..Seven Year Itch =-.
[Reply to this comment]
Katie Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 12:44 am
Keilah,
Katie
A Nazi mom? Dang. That’s harsh. I’d call you Super Mom and pat you on the back! Way to be tough and care about your kids’ food. You are so right – not everyone gets it!
[Reply to this comment]
We are living in Germany right now and the truck that comes around sells Italian ice cream. It is fantastic, but kind of pricey. We limit the kids to get from the ice cream man once or twice a week and we offer healthier options the other days. They accept it and it makes me happy.
[Reply to this comment]
haha dont feel bad, mine have never had ice cream from the truck! When he comes around (thankfully not daily since I’m on a dead end street!) I pull out a juice pop or tell the kids we are going to make our own out of juice and they are still young enough to get excited over that
.-= Candice H´s last blog ..WIP =-.
[Reply to this comment]
aw…….my kids can totally relate.
[Reply to this comment]
LOL. So glad I live in the country! No ice cream truck in sight…
[Reply to this comment]
We have a close-knit neighborhood. The moms stick together and nobody on our court buys from the truck. (He hardly ever drives through our neighborhood because of this…)
We just tell the kids it’s a rip off and leave it at that!
.-= Llama Momma´s last blog ..writing retreat =-.
[Reply to this comment]
Fortunately, we don’t have an ice cream truck around, but a 7-11 within walking distance that the grandparents take them to…ugh.
We’ve been experimenting with homemade popsicles lately and the frozen pineapple, coconut milk, honey, and raw egg yolk one is a hit. As well, we use dandy blend, raw milk, honey, and chocolate extract to make mocha ones.
Sounds like a popsicle post is in order…
=), melanie
.-= melanie´s last blog ..Strawberry Picking =-.
[Reply to this comment]
For years, I had my two boys believing the white truck that drove through our FL neighborhood daily – sometimes twice daily – was the “music truck.” They never thought to doubt my simple explanation… until a well-meaning neighborhood Dad bought them each an ice cream one day. Sigh, the secret was out and the begging for ice cream began in an unrelenting manner. And I said, “No” and “No” and “No” right in sync with their begging. Ah, the joys of parenthood. Don’t even get me started on those nasty boys at the ice skating rink who dared to tell my 5yo he wasn’t actually playing the video game if he didn’t have money. WHAT were they thinking?!
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Making Memories Monday- Family Gatherings =-.
[Reply to this comment]
This made me laugh because it is an every day scene at my house too. My 2yo is just beginning to understand that the truck is full of ice cream, but since we never buy it she doesn’t expect us to. Of course, who knows how long that will last?
[Reply to this comment]
I like the fact that my kids are young enough that we just refer to it as the music truck and they don’t realize what is going on yet.
[Reply to this comment]
Aya Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Ah – and I just remembered that I saw our ice cream truck guy smoking as he left our complex and my brother saw him pulled over by the cops a couple weeks ago. Now THAT is someone I’d love to buy ice cream from!
[Reply to this comment]
Jen@FrugalFreebiesandDeals Reply:
July 3rd, 2010 at 2:03 am
yuck…
.-= Jen@FrugalFreebiesandDeals´s last blog ..New Coupons from Cellfire for July =-.
[Reply to this comment]
I am so lucky I live rural so there are not tempting drive bys of ice cream trucks.
[Reply to this comment]
LOL – How about making ice cream at home? I just picked up plastic Ball jars with lids (BPA-free) at Walmart today. $3 for 5 jars. I’m going to use them to make frozen smoothies after a suggestion I just read on Life as Mom. I also have a chocolate pudding recipe that I haven’t mastered yet, but would make a good frozen dessert when the hot days hit again.
.-= Barb@My Daily Round´s last blog ..being a home manager- using the hard stops in a day =-.
[Reply to this comment]
My kids have it good eating healthy ice cream. I just say the other stuff is full of chemicals and they get it.
.-= Melodie´s last blog ..We Interrupt This Breastfeeding Post… =-.
[Reply to this comment]
we do not buy off the ice cream truck either my kids have never really complained but did ask alot and I can not remember the multitude of reasons I have used
[Reply to this comment]
My kids know the ice cream man… I am not about real food, but after forking out entirely too much money and seeing that (rather, THOSE as we have about 4 that come through here) truck more and more often I said NO WAY! Guess I am mean, make some pickle pops. LOL!
.-= Kelli @ 3 Boys and a Dog´s last blog ..WINNERS- StarKist and Kraft PLUS July Sneak Peek =-.
[Reply to this comment]
It’s too expensive!We buy from the store. Plus, years ago I watched a show that did tests on ice cream truck ice cream (from different locations) and it was loaded with bacteria because many times the ice cream was wasn’t kept at the correct temperatures. Yuck!
.-= stacy´s last blog ..Evernote Challenge 8 PreschoolSensory =-.
[Reply to this comment]
My kids grew up in a very rural area, so no ice cream truck. (yay!) However, last summer, we were at a friends in a suburban area, and the ice cream truck comes rolling along….my 15 yr-old daughter was like, “what’s that?!” (and yes, I did let her buy something! And no, she didn’t even think it was very good! haha)
[Reply to this comment]