To not understand why any child under school age (ish) is given anything other than milk/water on a regular basis?

[Sarah1611]

I see it a lot out and about- tiny dots with bottles and beakers full of juice, squash or fizzy drink. I know it's not the worst thing that a young child can be given but I don't understand why it's necessary. I'm an avid squash drinker and happily drink it in front of my charges but they never ask for it. I don't drink tea/coffee so squash keeps me going!

If we were at a party then I don't see a problem with having other things but not on a normal day at home or on a trip out.

It's not even just the teeth element, but the habit it creates (I should know!!) and also the dependency on sugar- there's enough sugar in most foods in a normal diet without the almost saturate of a soft drink.

[forceslover]

Because I don't sweat the small stuff and they clean their teeth.

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

Smug much?

[quesadilla]

Squash and fizzy pop not good. Don't see the problem with watered down juice.

[Guitargirl]

Oh ffs

[Heartbrokenmum73]

Because some kids WILL NOT drink water or milk. Is that not obvious?

I would call 'stealth boast' but it's patently just 'boast' in this case.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Milk is packed full of sugar.

[sonlypuppyfat]

You need to get a hobby

[intheshed]

My 3yo has a fruit shoot every week while we are watching DD1's swimming lesson. She has fantastic teeth. There are worse things!

[Sarah1611]

I'm not smug, just confused

[cuckoonest]

Because they drink fluids when they have (weak) squash, and drink naff all if it is water, no matter how attractive my new attempt at a 'water-only' bottle. And DD2 has never drunk a cup of cow's milk, she hates it. And I don't sweat the small stuff and they clean their teeth.

[McNewPants2013]

I have finally got ds to drink flavoured water after 7 years, squash before and still because some kind of fluid is better than none.

[livinginwonderland]

Because some kids won't drink it. I refused plain water as a kid and I still don't much like it now. Cows milk is boring after a while I'm sure, plus it's not great for your teeth either.

[adverbial]

I find it more odd that you're drinking squash as an adult
I only drink naice cordial, but prefer water obviously

Moderation (in squash consumption for children) and good dental hygiene is key, OP. Don't see a problem.

[littlemisssarcastic]

I don't have an issue with DD drinking squash tbh. I drink tea as my preferred choice and DD drinks squash. I don't like DD drinking fizzy drinks, but would find it cruel to prohibit her from drinking anything other than water or milk while I sat there guzzling away litres of tasty squash in front of her.
It's not like it's alcohol is it?

[FunnysInLaJardin]

my 2 will only drink water or milk I had no choice in the matter

[Lottapianos]

I agree with you OP. There's no need for it, it damages their teeth and doesn't do their sugar levels any good. You will get flamed on here just like everyone else who shares an opinion about other people's parenting choices but not all choices are good ones.

[BrokenBanana]

I think it's so funny when ds and I get judgey looks off judgey mothers when he drinks his (weak I must add!) squash, yet they sit there stuffing their kids faces with raisins!

[TigOldBitties]

Because they like it?

Its not necessary to give them lots of the things they do. They could easily survive without many things.

They like it and I don't really see any harm in it. They clean their teeth. My eldest is nearly 22, he's never been one for water and has grown up on whatever drink he fancies. No problems.

[ouryve]

DS2, since he stopped nursing, hasn't drunk anything but water. Clearly I'm an uber parent.

Or i would be if it wasn't for the fact that, for his entire life, all we've cared about with DS1 is that he drinks, even though that frequently involves giving him squash or fruit juice or chocolate alpro. He will occasionally accept a few sips of water, but not enough not to end up ill.

[YourHandInMyHand]

My DS wouldn't drink plain water, he suffered (still does) from chronic constipation and paediatrician advised me to get fluids in however I could even if that was squash. It's not the worst thing in the world in the grand scheme of things is it.

[Ghostsgowoooh]

Hypocritical much?

you drink it though. Set an example and don't drink it yourself.

[BrianTheMole]

My ds prefers oj over anything else. And I brush his teeth. Not really anyone elses business.

[mixedmamameansbusiness]

I think YABU. I don't like seeing juice etc in beakers/bottles but there is plenty I do that I am sure would cause done raised eyebrows.

DS3 has milk and water at home and we occasionally buy a bottle of squash that he goes have in a beaker but we rarely buy it. At soft play and a local woodland area where we pass a cafe he had got into the habit of associating with a juice carton which even his little friends, one of whom is from a very healthy living family all have.

It is none of our business really what others do, we all do things others might not agree with.

[Sarah1611]

I'm not smug, it's a job for me and I take pride in putting effort into my work, that's all! And trust me on the hobbies, no time for any more! Guess its easier when I leave the children and go home for the night/weekend!

Many people find its odd that's what I drink but as I said, tea/coffee just isn't my thing.

Maybe I've just been lucky with the children I've nannied for.

[LittleMissGerardButlerfan]

Because my son won't drink milk or water and he only has one kidney so I give him fruit juice and squash as I am more bothered that he drinks enough.

Though I don't have to justify myself to anyone, and I don't really care what anyone thinks!

I'm glad my Childminder wasn't as judgey as you are