Do your children have to ask for a drink?

[ohoneohtwo]

Just musing really. I was having a bath earlier and the neighbours were in their garden. One of the kids asked if she could have a drink. She is 11.

I always provided mine with a drink until they were able to get their own independently, I'm guessing roughly 5 yo. They don't have to ask though. It never crossed don't mind to restrict drinks.

No, but my 11yo still occasionally does ask, I guess out of habit.

Did she mean water? Or soft drinks/juice?

No, they get their own. 8&7, have done for years.

Was the child asking the parent if they would get them a drink, rather than asking for permission to have a drink? Would seem quite unusual if it was the latter

Mine are 3 and 4, the 3 year old cant reach yet so she asks, the 4 year old can reach on a step so helps himself or just asks if he hears his sister, I would think at 11 it would be strange though.

No, she's old enough to get her own at 9. I sometimes offer one as she's not great at remembering to hydrate herself properly

Maybe she was asking so her servant mum could get one for her!

They have to ask for squash, because I don’t want them drinking sugary drinks all day every day (which they would, they’re 7 and 9).

Water and milk, they’re free to help themselves.

No. Dd is 10 and gets her own drinks unless she wants something opening or shes in a rush to leave for school and hasn't filled her water bottle most mornings 🤣

The 11YO was probably asking either for her parents to get her a drink because she didn’t want to go herself, or was warming up to ask for a drink she’s not always allowed like coke (my nieces and nephews do this). I’d be very surprised if a child of that age had to ask permission to get water from the tap.

Fizzy drinks or tea yes, but water/juice definitely not.

I fill my 5 year old's bottle with water at the begining of the day and she will ask me to refill it when emptyor if she wants fresh water because she can't reach the tap in the kitchen, but doesn't have to ask for a drink each time iyswim. I will sometimes prompt her to have a swig if I think that she hasn't drunk enough

mine help themselves to sugar free squash and tea. I don't want them drinking juice or fizzy pop all day so I do get them to ask for those in order that I can keep an eye on the amounts.

Was the child asking the parent if they would get them a drink, rather than asking for permission to have a drink?

I would think this was the case. Just because someone is old enough to get their own drink doesn’t mean they never ask someone else for one.

My SD is 11 and always asks us to fill up her water bottle. We always tell her she can help her self and doesn't have to ask, but she always does. She says it's habit as she's always got to ask at her mums.

Water, never, other drinks yes, until maybe 8/9, although it depends on the drink.

6 year old gets herself a drink from the tap. Younger siblings can't reach so would have to ask but I fill sports bottles for them throughout the day that they can then access freely.
6 year old asks to go to the toilet as if she is at school though

No, I find it very odd when folks make their children ask for food or drink past an age they can get it themselves, children are part of the family and need to be taught to self regulate as they grow. I’d find it just as odd if my husband had to ask.

My daughter has not had to ask past the age where she could help herself. But would say, like we would, does anyone want this or do you mind if I have rhe last one. Anything that’s not the last bit any of us can crack on.

They have to ask for squash, because I don’t want them drinking sugary drinks

Why don’t you buy sugar free?

Fizzy and juice yes especially as DD 12 has braces so keep an eye on her. Water/sugar free squash they get themselves they don’t make hot drinks

Mine (4 and 8) know they can get their own drinks whenever they like. Doesn’t stop them from bloody asking though....

Nope DS11 has been helping himself to drinks since he was capable. I'm of the opinion it's his home too and if he needs a drink he needs a drink. Snacks he asks about but only in case it's near meal time etc

My 2.5 year old got a cup out of the cupboard, dragged a chair to the sink and made herself a drink and then brought it upstairs to me looking really pleased with herself! i was impressed

it dpends what they are asking for - squash or water no need to ask. Milk, Fruit Juice or fizzy pop ask as I limited those.

They don’t have to ask but my children can’t reach so they have to ask me. As soon as they can reach I’m guessing they will stop asking.