WIBU to give dd orange squash?

[JockTamsonsBairns]

Ok, DH and I have been at loggerheads about this all day and I'd like to canvas general opinion on the matter. It's definitely not the end of the world and, no, it's not the most important thing we've got to worry about!

This morning I was rushing around getting dc's ready for nursery, Dd (2.5) was thirsty, and I gave her a cup of orange squash (nice Hi-juice stuff!). Dh came down and started mumping about it "not being right", having orange squash at 8 in the morning - just after breakfast. I can't really get why not, particularly since there's no ban on it at any other mealtime. I usually offer water or squash, she normally asks for water, but today she went for the squash. Cue 12 hours of stewing about it from both of us, with no sign of either backing down .

Go on, who was BU?

How diluted was it? Had she had her breakfast? My Mum always had a thing about squash first thing in the morning - I was NEVER allowed squash in the morning; drinking it at that time was like breaking the law in our house.

DD has never asked for squash in the morning, but I don't think I'd say no, and she is allowed to drink it whenever she asks for it.

My Mum was quite right about things like this; she never let me have more than 1 packet of crisps in a day and we never drank those artificial juices around in the 80's/90's because she was convinced that the "E numbers" were having a bad effect on me - and she was right. Research has shown that artificial colours and things can cause hyperactivity in children.

The two youngest don't ever eat sweets (they don't like them), but would live on chocolate if they were allowed. We brush their teeth regularly and, so far, have no problems dentally.

I just don't get why it's squash in particular which has come into the firing line. He gave them lunch on Saturday, for example, which was jam sandwiches (I was out). No biggie, I thought, as that's fairly out of the ordinary. Generally I would cook their tea from scratch which would be healthy and balanced, therefore I don't get uptight about the odd 'unhealthy' thing.

FWIW, I would never have beeb allowed squash growing up. My mother had a blanket ban on absolutely anything tasty unhealthy, which is probably why I've eased up a bit with my own Dc's.

If you have breakfast in any hotel, you will see a selection of juices. They will only be there at breakfast time.. no other.

Fruit juice is fine at breakfast. Even diluted fruit juice.

Where do people get the idea that fruit juice or squash is unhealthy?

It was served up in a sippy cup (no lid), with just enough squash to cover the bottom of the cup, then topped up to about two thirds full with water. I do generally dilute hi-juice with plenty of water as I think it does taste stronger.

Anything that tastes nice is deemed unhealthy by some people on MN

I don't actually know if squash is unhealthy or not squeaky. I know it's not brilliant for teeth, and should really only be served at mealtimes. But in terms of nutrition-wise, I really don't know.

usual - I was allowed one packet of crisps per week, on a Saturday - Smiths Salt-n-Shake - with the blue salt sachet removed

If its that bad why even have it in the house? He should just ban it if he feels so strongly. There are some really nice wholesome organic additive free squashes if he wants to pay for them. Does sound like he has DCs best interests at heart, but is over reacting.

weevil - oh, he does like a pint of the stuff for himself in the morning . And he's happy for the dc's to have squash later in the day. Just not at breakfast time.

Fruit juice or squash isn't unhealthy as long as the squash is heavily diluted and the fruit juice is 100% fruit juice without added colours, flavours or sugar.

It's the sugar in them that is unhealthy for teeth - they can corrode the enamel and cause tooth decay.

Also, there's the aspartame in squash that alot of people think is death incarnate...

MrBloom - no artificial colouring or flavouring in Aldi's squash, but does contain preservatives. Is that bad then? Genuine question.

fruit itself is full of sugar anyway..

I would avoid anything with aspartame in it.

There's no aspartame on the ingredients list

12 hours of stewing over orange squash, is, frankly, ridiculous

tell your DH there is also this amazing product called toothpaste

For some, largely inexplicable, reason, I would also have to say no to squash at breakfast. Fruit juice is high in sugar, but there's something just not right about squash at breakfast. (don't really know why though

Perhaps your Dh's parents banned squash for him at breakfast and this explains why he feels it's wrong without being able to express why.

FWIW I'd be wary of a child that young having squash as I think they can easily become addicted. When Ds was about 4 or 5, I had a raging row with our dentist after he had requested we offer squash instead of fresh fruit juice (which we had diluted). The result, several months later was a child who was stroppy in the extreme when not allowed squash and distinctly buzzy when he was allowed. I think the e numbers most definitely had some effect...although there are studies which say that "banned foods" have an effect because they are reported by parents who believe they have an effect and therefore see this in their children. I told the dentist I'd rather his teeth fell out than that his brain rotted . Ds (now 9) is allowed occasional squash although I won't keep it in the house, lemonade, etc. for special occasions (but very rarely coke)...and will happily drink water, milk and fresh fruit juice. Reports are that his teeth are fine (despite the dire warnings I was given at the time) and I believe he's better off with fewer e numbers.

Totally understand how infuriating it is being challenged about your parenting choices by Dh...especially as he can't explain why. However, I think squash is the work of the devil for a child that age (so easy for them to refuse to drink anything else). I've kind of lightened up as Ds has got older. Sometimes offer custard or jelly for breakfast when stuck . Anyway...each to their own and hope you and Dh are back on talking terms soon!

Fanjo - kicking on 13 hours now, with no sign of either of us backing down .

Avon - you're sounding just like him now! Away with your "just not right"!

maman - you've hit the nail on the head I think with a few of your points. It's quite probably the case that he wasn't allowed squash at breakfast time either, therefore 'that's just what happens now' with our dc's. It's probably tied up with parenting choices being challenged too, particularly the hypocrytical nature of those challenges ie, squash being no problem later in the day. Also, I admit to making some poor choices with my eldest dd (13), for example giving her strawberry milkshake 'as a treat' when she was 4 , after which she refused plain milk (ok ok, I was young) .

Thanks, everyone, for your input. I think it might be time to call a truce on this once I've shown him this thread to prove I'm right

Tell him to get over himself!

Bloody hell- my ds x 2 should be put into care on your dhs standards. Youngest [2] fell asleep on sofa without cleaning his teeth [again...]. Likes the occasional sweet thing. [My mum a shocker when she sees them with fruit shoots etc]. Also caught my Nan [in her 90s] letting 2 year old dip his fingers in her wine... 'more, more' he kept saying!!