Do you know Alfie Kohn? Punished by Rewards? I’m not a fan. While I do agree that carrots are often just a friendlier version of a stick, I think rewards or treats have their place in creating a life marked by ease and grace. It’s usually not helpful to reward myself for a good homeschooling day by having another beer. But it’s altogether life-giving to have a treat–something that I really like at just the right time. It’s a way of honoring what I notice, enjoying what I love, making a tiny bit of space for me in the daily round.
Here’s my list. I hope to keep adding to it!
- Practice hand lettering.
- Do a bit of embroidery.
- Or gluebooking!
- Walk outside
- Diffuse essential oils. Blood orange or Lavender and Peppermint.
- A fresh bar of oatmeal soap.
- Organize the Playmobil. All the swords in the sword spot!
- Sharpen pencils.
- Read before bed. These moments especially seem stolen.
- Read a poem. Rich language and images you can tuck in your pocket.
- Draw.
- Watch Alma Stoller videos.
- Remember the Sabbath.
- Read blogs…and click through to comment!
- Listen to Pray-As-You-Go.
- Make a homemade pumpkin spice latte
- Put clean sheets on the bed.
- Freshen the learning spaces.
- Clear the decks.
Even though some of these things are downright chore-ish, I like them. Or I like having done them. I like making the space come alive with the possible.
The trick with treats is the actually enjoy them, to stop and savor. To remember what went right and celebrate it. I challenge you to make your own. It’s pretty hard actually! But I’d love to see what you come up with!
