For many parents, stopping to get yourself a little pick-me-up is the highlight of our days. Little treat culture has become a big part of people’s day-to-day lives. Whether it’s a coffee drink or a snack, it’s a way to bring yourself a little slice of joy during a busy day. A lot of us parents have taught our kids the joy of getting a little treat, which can sometimes put a damper on our wallets.
But one mom found a great way to keep costs down during trips to Starbucks with her toddler, and some people are big mad.
More from Mom.com: Real-Life Mom Hacks to Make Each Day More Peaceful — and Less Like a Chaotic Circus
Her idea is economical for sure
Mom Lauren Clare took to Instagram to share the clever thing she came up with to make sure that her daughter Addie got a treat during a trip to Starbucks even though she was low on cash.
“Parent hack. If you can’t afford Starbucks for two, order your toddler a pup cup. It’s free and will make them just as happy as a $5 cake pop,” Clare wrote over a video of Addie licking whipped cream out of a cup.
Who doesn't love a little whipped cream?
In the video, Addie is happily enjoying her pup cup, also known as a “pupaccino,” which is just an espresso cup filled with a dollop of whipped cream. It’s a well known secret menu item that people often get for their dogs and it’s free if you know to ask for one.
“And then she came to the window and said, “And we have to ask, what is your furry friends name?” And I said “Addie!” ,” Clare captioned the video.
Clare was working with what she had to make her daughter happy
“I don’t normally make a Starbucks run, just because it’s expensive, but I had $4 and change left on a gift card,” Clare told Today.com.
Of course, as soon as Clare pulled into the drive-thru, Addie woke up from her nap. “I knew Addie was going to want something. So I asked, ‘Do you guys charge for pup cups?’ And the woman taking my order was like, ‘Oh my God, no. What’s your dog’s name?’”
Clare explained to the barista that the whipped cream treat was actually for her toddler, and the person didn’t even bat an eye. “She was totally fine with it,” Clare said.
People lit up her comment section with their opinions
“And this why kids are spoiled and overloaded on sugar. How about they don’t get anything but love and a good example,” one comment read.
“In this economy? We’re both getting pup cups,” someone joked. “Doing this next time for sure ,” someone else shared.
“Yep I call it a kid cup! Sometime I get cookie crumbs or ask for chocolate chips on top! If you get a nice worker they will!” another parent shared.
“How bout don’t go if u can’t afford it,” someone else suggested.
“If you have fast hands, you can also grab money out of those baskets at church. Why not, right?” someone else quipped.
Starbucks responded to Clare's hack
Today.com reached out to Starbucks to see if Clare had in fact ruined the pup cup like people tried to accuse her of, and the company had the best response.
“We love seeing the different ways our customers brighten loved ones’ days with Starbucks,” a spokesperson for the company said. “Customers can order a side of whipped cream with the purchase of a beverage at no extra charge.”
Can adults get one too? We think that response sounds like a yes.
