Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

How many fizzy drinks, if any, do you allow your kids?

104 replies

Teessider · 30/05/2021 09:47

And by kids, I mean older ones.

My youngest is 14.5 and he'd drink Diet Coke all the day long if I let him. I don't of course and he has a couple of cans at the weekend, probably a bit more what with half term next week. The only other drink he has is water and his diet overall is excellent and varied

I'm obviously soooo mean in only allowing a few cans on the weekend - but I think this is more than enough.

How about you? Do you restrict it or ban it completely or are you relaxed about it?

OP posts:
CovoidOfAllHumanity · 30/05/2021 19:13

I don't really say no but I just very rarely buy any and that seems an effective way to limit it as they'd have to buy their own if they want any. We might get a bottle of pink lemonade on a special occasion.

DH and I don't like fizzy drinks really anyway so mostly it's water, squash, fruit juice and cordial (and alcohol for grown ups)

I think our DC did not get much of a taste for it as DS doesn't even actually like a fizzy drink if he gets the chance.

It wasn't particularly a health thing just that it's not something I habitually buy. Same with crisps. Shame the same is not true for biscuits, cake and chocolate which are consumed with gay abandon.

WellTidy · 30/05/2021 19:15

Ds is 13.5yo. Never have energy drinks, but a can of fizzy of his choice (ginger beer, lemonade or fanta) probably twice a week now. Used to be once a week plus whenever we went out to eat.

CovoidOfAllHumanity · 30/05/2021 19:17

Kaleslayer my parents had a rule of no more than 2 biscuits which has been very effectively programmed into me and I almost never eat more than 2 biscuits or feel very guilty if I do. Their biscuits were more of the Rich Tea or digestive persuasion than the massive choc chip cookies which are my downfall.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
sherrystrull · 30/05/2021 19:19

Most of my friends have kids aged 5-20. Under 5's get the odd sip. 5-10 year olds get a glass or a can every now and then, parties, special occasions etc. Over 10 and they have it whenever they like really. This is common in my friendship groups.

BeaMinus · 30/05/2021 19:25

We don't have them in the house.
Teen Dc would only have them if they bought them themselves (unlikely, but possibly might do this once every few months) or at someone else's house - again, this would be occasional.

Natsku · 30/05/2021 19:25

We have juice day on Fridays where we have a fizzy drink with dinner (had the same thing in my family growing up, except we called it can day as it was always a can of fizzy pop) and then on special occasions, or if we go out to eat. But on average, once a week (10 year old).

ZenNudist · 30/05/2021 19:28

I have 7yo and 10yo. They can order what we want if we go out to eat. They may order j20 or a lime and soda instead. I get cans of diet sprite or fanta in for picnics and as a treat with a take out or when a friend comes over. If the older one is out with a friend I won't control what they drink and buy them a sprite etc.

I have a blanket ban on colas because of caffeine. I'm very sensitive to caffeine and so I don't think its good for my dc either.

I never buy bottles of pop. I sometimes get cartons of orange juice or Apple juice in as a treat but think its too sugary for daily consumption.

KaleSlayer · 30/05/2021 19:35

Kaleslayer my parents had a rule of no more than 2 biscuits which has been very effectively programmed into me and I almost never eat more than 2 biscuits or feel very guilty if I do. Their biscuits were more of the Rich Tea or digestive persuasion than the massive choc chip cookies which are my downfall.

🤣 It’s funny isn’t it, how easily we just stick to these ‘rules’.
There was a thread on here ages ago and someone was saying how they were allowed a few ‘plain’ biscuits but only ever one ‘fancy’ biscuit...fancy being one with chocolate on. 🤣

We were never allowed more than one ice lolly even on really hot summer days, I felt like my mind was blown when at friends houses I’d have an ice lolly and then be offered another one a few hours later. 🤯🤣 Looking back though, it was probably due to money. Most people seem to have lots more of everything in than back in the 80s/90s. Fizzy pop was something for Xmas only back then in our house. 🤣

CovoidOfAllHumanity · 30/05/2021 19:38

Fizzy pop was a Christmas and very special occasions thing in our house growing up too

Ice creams were only if the van came round. My kids don't know they are born on that front with a box of Cornettos always in the freezer.

wigjuice · 30/05/2021 19:41

Now and then if he fancies one, though thankfully he prefers water of his own accord.

KaleSlayer · 30/05/2021 19:57

My kids don't know they are born on that front with a box of Cornettos always in the freezer.

I know right? 🤣

Life is very different than just 20 odd years ago. They still don’t understand how I lived without a mobile phone....’but, but, how did you speak to your friends mum?, it must have been really terrible back then mum’.... back then???🤣🤣🤣 I’m only 41 ! 🤣🤣🤣 Bloody kids.

MayorGundersonsDogRufus · 30/05/2021 20:22

We don't really have sodas in the house. DD drinks water and maybe a glass of juice or squash a day. Coke (her favourite) is a treat for parties or at friends' houses.

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 30/05/2021 20:31

Mine are 10 and 14. It's not an every day drink at home, but not just for high days and holidays either. They'll have one if we're eating out, or if I'm having a glass of wine at the weekend. What the 14yo gets up to when she's out I don't know about. I have warned them off energy drinks though, and lectured them about dental health. I have terrible teeth from dental neglect as a child and young adult, and hope they learn from my mistakes.

Babyroobs · 30/05/2021 20:51

I have 3 teenagers. We just have fizzy drink with evening meals at the weekend. Obviously I can't control what they buy when they are out with their mates.

Fauvist · 30/05/2021 21:20

DD is 14. She can have a fizzy drink if out for a meal. She can buy herself fizzy drinks if she wants to. I don't drink them so we don't have them in the house and she is happy with orange juice or water. In fact, she prefers coffee to fizzy drinks, which she will get for herself at the weekend (a mocha or cappucino which I'm fine with as it is quite a bit of milk which she doesn't otherwise enjoy) when meeting up with friends. Coffees are pretty expensive on a 14 year old's budget so it's self-limiting. She can't really afford more than one a week and also have money left for other stuff (clothes, makeup, snacks etc). If she has a hot drink at home, it's normally herbal tea. I guess she could make herself a coffee at home but so far it hasn't really occurred to her.

Nat6999 · 30/05/2021 21:38

Ds (17) has a can of either lemonade or diet coke with his evening meal every day, I don't limit fizzy drinks but that is all I provide, if he wants more then he buys it himself, I know he sometimes has a can of monster energy in a morning on the way to school but more often than not he calls in Costa or Gregg's for a coffee. I think if you limit & ration things then they want them more.

underneaththeash · 30/05/2021 21:53

My 15 and 12 yo aren’t keen (I don’t think they tried them until they were older kids anyway). DD has a Fanta or san pelligrino if we go out for dinner.

bigbluebus · 30/05/2021 22:09

When I was a child the Corona lorry used to come round on a Saturday. We were allowed to choose 2 bottles to share between the 3 of us.

ilovebagpuss · 30/05/2021 22:30

Friday and Sat we buy Diet Coke and DD 14 likes Belvoir Elderflower fizz. Holidays and meals out we have it whenever.
Day to day squash and water really. As long as they aren’t quaffing it every day I try not to demonise anything.
DD14 is allowed a small glass of vino with me occasionally also just to take away the thrill of booze.

Love51 · 30/05/2021 22:40

Mine are still in single figures so I'm not really qualified as by the time they get to comp they might be downing Red Bull on the way to school. My own parents treated fizzy drinks like booze for kids. If we went to a party they didn't monitor us, but in the house it was only available for special occasions. They bought bottles not cans, and mostly for parties. There would be a bit left after the parties, which we would have til it ran out, then we wouldn't have any for a couple of months except at other people's houses.
Mine are proper Mumsnet kids and currently won't drink it, one only likes water. I'm aware that this may change.

JackieTheFart · 31/05/2021 22:21

[quote Teessider]@JackieTheFart oh he likes it alright but I was saying that after a weekend of guzzling it with some pals in whatever quantities he fancied, I really noticed a 'need' for it in him which took a few days to pass

I buy it in bulk usually - currently have 150 cans in the garage (go to Costco) however he isn't aware of this of course!

He can have a can a day over half term and then I'm going to consider some cordial topped up with sparkling water [/quote]
Oh I see!

It’s harder when they get older and you have to let them learn to police their own intake - DSS went absolutely bonkers with Monster drinks when he was about 16, he was drinking 2 or 3 a day. Not much you can say then though!

IHaveBrilloHair · 31/05/2021 22:24

Why do people guzzle fizzy drinks, or burgers, but never water or tofu?

Original poster
Teessider · 31/05/2021 23:46

@IHaveBrilloHair because of the added stuff which triggers something in your brain I think.

OP posts:
lljkk · 01/06/2021 06:24

I love firm tofu, I'd guzzle that !

I have guzzled water on occasion, too

KobaniDaughters · 01/06/2021 06:28

D.C. 9&12 have never had things like Fanta or coke or sprite, they can have American style
Lemonade or they’ve had appletiser once or twice (not sure that’s any better than traditional fizzy drinks) but I’m not buying it for them and have a blanket ban on them drinking them for as long as I have control over it. Pretty much the only “bad foodstuff” I’ve managed to be consistent about