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AIBU?

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Original poster

Juice in school

370 replies

Fubar01 · 13/09/2024 08:42

My DD’s teacher is being very combative about her taking juice to school (primary) in a clear drinking bottle. He says it’s against school healthy eating standards, but if she brings it in a non clear bottle it’s fine! She brings a very healthy lunch and has perfect teeth. She is also very sporty . She point blank refuses to drink water. Yet others in her class bring crisps and chocolate and nothing is said .
AIBU to stick with the (new) clear bottle?
i dislike petty rules that have no bearing on her education ! Especially when the rules are not enforced for others !

OP posts:
IBlameTheDog · 13/09/2024 09:46

Why are you being so difficult?
Buy a non clear bottle.
Daughter gets juice, teacher happy.

ClockwiseHoneysuckle · 13/09/2024 09:46

Fubar01 · 13/09/2024 09:25

I do sendin water it comes home full

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So that's fine, she didn't need to drink.

Original poster
Fubar01 · 13/09/2024 09:45

SJM1988 · 13/09/2024 09:44

Your OP says 'He says it’s against school healthy eating standards'. That is a rule then isn't it? Why else would be say anything unless it wasn't against some standard/ rule at school?

Change the bottle or send water.....really its not worth the argument with school on it and you will be labelled as a problem parent by the teacher over juice!

It is the school rule but she was told by the teacher just put it in a non clear bottle and nobody will know . That’s what I find unacceptable

OP posts:
Matronic6 · 13/09/2024 09:45

Fuck sake, if anyone wants an idea of the kind of nonsense teachers have to deal with on a daily basis, this is a classic example.

Teacher can do no right. Clearly the school does not permit juice in school. OP's daughter refuses to drink water, instead of addressing her childs unhealthy behaviour, OP decided she would do what she wanted and send her child in with juice. Making every other child question why does that child get juice when they are not allowed.

Teacher also worried child may not be getting enough fluids give OP a solution, put it in an opaque bottle. You can literally buy one for a couple of quid. OP is not happy with that. She wants her child to be the exception and for everyone to know she is the exception.

Every day, without end, we deal with nonsense like this from parents.

Arrivapercy · 13/09/2024 09:45

it’s about a teacher teaching my child it’s okay to bend rules as long as no one knows about it .

But you are forcing the teacher to

By not complying.

You have a choice as to how you position this. Just tell your DC juice will stain a clear bottle so she needs a coloured one. Done.

What else can the teacher do? They can't change the rules, the rules are there for a reason. They can pretend not to notice you aren't complying, if you make it easy for them by using a different bottle.

You seem to be expecting a solution that doesn't exist.

marshmallowfinder · 13/09/2024 09:45

It's squash, not juice, people. Juice would have to be kept in a chiller.

Fluufer · 13/09/2024 09:44

Fubar01 · 13/09/2024 09:42

it’s not about the juice , it’s about a teacher teaching my child it’s okay to bend rules as long as no one knows about it . She is an anxious child and she doesn’t want to be doing something she shouldn’t do 🥂. It has never been an issue before but this year it seems to be a problem.

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If she doesn't want to bend the rules, she needs to follow them. Your choice.

SJM1988 · 13/09/2024 09:44

Your OP says 'He says it’s against school healthy eating standards'. That is a rule then isn't it? Why else would be say anything unless it wasn't against some standard/ rule at school?

Change the bottle or send water.....really its not worth the argument with school on it and you will be labelled as a problem parent by the teacher over juice!

Arrivapercy · 13/09/2024 09:42

My dd had a friend who apparently 'won't drink water' but strangely enough, drank it at our house when there was no alternative!

We get this all the time! Mum insists they won't touch water. We have no squash. None. They get thirsty.... they drink water. I've never yet had one come on a warm day for more than 2 hours and not drink water.

In winter however, lots of kids drink much less. There's quite a lot of embedded water in food, especially if they are eatig plenty of salad, fruit, veg. They often just don't need as much water to drink as you think. They won't drink it because they aren't thirsty

PeachBalonz · 13/09/2024 09:42

Can I suggest you remove your child and look elsewhere for a school? Is that workable?

Original poster
Fubar01 · 13/09/2024 09:42

CasaBianca · 13/09/2024 09:26

What do you want the outcome to be and how do you think will make it happen?

I assume you want your DD to continue to be allowed to bring juice and for the teacher to not have bias against you in case you need to bring up something important in the future.

Do you realise that what you are doing now won’t bring this result? Worse case scenario, the teacher raises it with the school and they change the rule to only allow water and clear bottles. Oh and the teacher will all year long remember how annoying you were and will take everything you say with a pinch of salt.

So FFS stop trying to win this argument, nobody is asking you what you think about the rules, just follow them and buy a new water bottle.

it’s not about the juice , it’s about a teacher teaching my child it’s okay to bend rules as long as no one knows about it . She is an anxious child and she doesn’t want to be doing something she shouldn’t do 🥂. It has never been an issue before but this year it seems to be a problem.

OP posts:
LameBorzoi · 13/09/2024 09:41

Fubar01 · 13/09/2024 09:38

Tjsy makes sense but okay

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Kids in hot climates do need to drink during the day. Uk kids might just not need to.

Bex5490 · 13/09/2024 09:41

@Fubar01 Are you satisfied with this teacher’s teaching? Is your child learning and happy in school?

If yes then who the hell cares about whether she has to drink her juice in a different water bottle?

It really sounds like you have too much time on your hands for this to be a concern.

In the nicest way possible, find something more meaningful to occupy your mind.

ItalianChineseIndianMexican · 13/09/2024 09:41

HalfaCider · 13/09/2024 09:11

OP why have you posted!! You are not listening to a word anyone is saying. NO the teacher is not teaching your child to be sneaky and NO the teacher is not being petty. A PP posted the government guidance that schools have to follow. We are trying to create a society of healthier eaters and drinkers and that starts in childhood. The fact is water and milk are healthy and to be encouraged. Saying, 'oh but the staff eat and drink crap' is just stupid because that is the whole point. We are trying to change things, so starting from childhood, people make healthier choices which continue into adulthood. You have told the teacher your DC won't drink water. He doesn't want to see your DC dehydrated so has suggested a compromise of bring the juice, but don't flaunt it to the whole class. It isn't being sneaky, it's being considerate of everyone in his duty of care. He is allowing the juice against school policy. He is trying to work with you and you're just being an arse in return. You have a long school journey ahead of you.

This ☝️

fashionqueen0123 · 13/09/2024 09:40

Fubar01 · 13/09/2024 09:34

Been there done that , and the teacher sent me a message saying she wasn’t drinking! She also wasn’t going to the toilet all day . I know which I’d rather

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So either stick at it and stop the juice and she will one day get thirsty enough to drink it, or just use the non see through bottle - which aren’t exactly hard to find, and put squash in it.

Funkyslippers · 13/09/2024 09:39

My dd had a friend who apparently 'won't drink water' but strangely enough, drank it at our house when there was no alternative!

LameBorzoi · 13/09/2024 09:39

Catza · 13/09/2024 09:26

Well we don't actually know if she also drinks tea or milk at home, do we? So it's a bit of an assumption to make that she only drinks juice. Even so, we established above that it isn't actually juice at all but merely a very watery squash. So what is that... 45 calories and 10g of sugar per liter or something. So less than a banana.

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Still a pita to clean out of the classroom carpet

Original poster
Fubar01 · 13/09/2024 09:38

LameBorzoi · 13/09/2024 09:30

Then she's not thirsty. Kids living in the uk might not need to drink during the day. If you are in Texas, it might be different.

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Tjsy makes sense but okay

OP posts:
Fluufer · 13/09/2024 09:38

The teacher is being flexible. If you make an issue of it, they won't be flexible. If your kid wants special treatment, you need to comply with the very simple request of an opaque water bottle.

LameBorzoi · 13/09/2024 09:38

Fubar01 · 13/09/2024 09:34

Been there done that , and the teacher sent me a message saying she wasn’t drinking! She also wasn’t going to the toilet all day . I know which I’d rather

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Kids actually don't need to wee like a dog on a walk.

Original poster
Fubar01 · 13/09/2024 09:37

SJM1988 · 13/09/2024 09:22

Either get a non clear bottle or send only water. You said the rules are no juice so the teacher is trying to offer a compromise by saying bring a non clear bottle. Likely as he is aware you child is sporty so a little juice isnt going to be a problem for her.
If escalated, it highly likely the head teacher will just enforce the no juice rule for everyone and then what are you going to do?
I don't understand the whole fight against the rules thing at the moment with school. Just follow the rules.

That isn’t the rule though.

OP posts:
Funkyslippers · 13/09/2024 09:36

I know this isn't really the issue but if she takes 'juice' in a bottle and it runs out, I'm assuming she can't refill it? I'd be concerned about dehydration especially if she's sporty

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 13/09/2024 09:36

Have you tried those water bottles that give you a scent of a certain fruit flavour and it tricks your brain into thinking you’re drinking that flavour?

Then she could actually drink water which is best all round.

The real ones - Air Up - are incredibly expensive but there are cheaper knock offs that most kids in my son’s class seem to have.

ThreeFeetTall · 13/09/2024 09:36

The teacher has offered to bend the rules for you and you throw it back in their face Confused

sashh · 13/09/2024 09:36

There are a couple of problems with juice in the classroom.

  1. is that juice shouldn't be sipped like water throughout the day - so bad for the teeth

  2. if is spilled it is not as easy to clean up as water.

The teacher is actually making a compromise to try to help you. Juice is banned. If you use a clear bottle then the teacher cannot deny they knew she was drinking juice. The other is that other children will start asking why they are not allowed juice.

Either send in water or disguise the juice.