Parenting dilemma #386

Here is one of my latest frustrations with the standard parenting advice. It seems universally accepted that consistency is "the key" to parenting well. Kids need routines, structure and consistent limits. I know this to be true but here is the rub. Consistency is BORING. I get bored, they get bored, we all get bored and then we wake up and they are 18 and what kind of memories do we have? There is no spice in consistency, no fun surprises, no spontaneity. Take dinnertime. I offer milk or water with dinner consistently. Juice is a breakfast option and lunch sometimes includes fun drinks (g rated) depending on where we are so dinner I keep straightforward. But recently we have a night where R is working late and the kids and I are having a leftover dinner in the kitchen and I am feeling kickback, and the kids have been well behaved, and maybe there is a small glass of wine involved, and so, when J cannily asks me if he can have limeade I feel magnanimous and say - what the hey - limeade all around. All is good right? Wrong. Because while most kids might "get" that was a special treat (especially since I said so). 24 hours later I get hit with "Can I have limeade with dinner". And when I calmly, consistently (whoops) say "no" I get a whine and argument of epic proportions that just sucks the life out of me. GRRR. I am so tired of being played by small people who see an opening and try to exploit it. But I am just as tired of being consistent!