to think that thanking your own organic juice to give to your child at a party because you disapprove of the squash provided by the hosts us just rude?

[OhBuggerandArse]

Obviously I don't think I'm being unreasonable and would really just like you all to join me in my disgruntled ire. But go on, give it a shot at putting the other side of the story. No behavioural issues involved, if anyone was wondering whether that might be a possible tactic.

It's a PARTY.

I personally rather like going to parties, not least because I get to eat and drink things I don't usually eat that much of at home.

I must go and check that my children are not mere husks.

I am not sure if they have been hydrated in the last couple of hours.

"Crabapple the word 'hydrate' means to 'add water', so how can water not hydrate?"

Water does hydrate, but not as efficiently as a solution containing the right proportions of sugar and salt. Sugar/salt solutions are recommended if you have had a severe bout of diarrhoea, not plain water. Flat coke or lemonade is also recomended.

I used to be constantly asked why i didn't allow my Ds to drink squash. As far as i was concerned he could have had squash or juice or anything, even a fruitshoot - he just preferred water!
He's now 13 and if he can't have a coffee or cup of tea, he still opts for water. His choice.

I agree that as there was a performance element to it, it's rude. Ooh look at me I don't let my little darling drink this, your peasant beverage is not good enough.

If there was an allergy she could've told you at the time. I would ask "can i bring xyz as DD is allergic to ABC" Alternatively if it was just personal preference she could do it quietly. Plenty of people have high standards for their DCs' diet, others have the same BUT let them off for parties - either way, who bloody cares, why make a show of it? Especially if it might make the host feel inadequate?

Right. Have read all responses, and am perfectly sympathetic to all medical reasons, but don't see any that couldn't be easily catered for by asking for some water. I think I have boiled down my take on it to this: eat what you're given and don't fuss. I am turning into my mother.

PMSL at this thread.

I would take a fruit shoot myself, it being healthier than squash an' all.

The body is able to extract salt and sugar from the available party food, in exactly the quantities it needs. If someone is ill and dehydrated they need electrolyte solutions orally or IV, but hopefully most of the children at the party were not in need of urgent medical treatment.

Not that our juice is organic - it comes from Aldi :o

OP I would reeeeally like to hear more of this 'form' please.

Ah, to me your thread isn't really about dietary choices, it's more the etiquette - I couldn't really care less if someone only drinks organic, even if I think it odd it is no skin off my nose, but I think the way she did it was rude.

IMO if you're going to have a thing about squash (fair doos, we all have our things!) you have to train your kid to politely say "no thank you can I have water please?"

IME it's increasingly common for kids to ask for water by choice.

So if you invited someone round for a cup of tea and they said 'I don't drink tea' would you say 'well that's all I'm offering. It's either that or water'?

I don't know, I suppose it just comes under general 'hosting' to me - if I have a kids' party I apply the same rules I would if there were adults coming

My DD1 has only ever drank water or milk. She will not try anything else. People always feel sorry for her when at a party as she seems to be the only one not having the squash/juice/fizzy. I have to explain it is her choice and she is not missing out. I always take her water as very few parents have water available.

"I always take her water as very few parents have water available."

Where do you live that doesn't have clean tap water? I always offer water to DD's friends and just run the tap until it is nice and cold.

PontyMython I would love to tell but I am not drunk unwise enough.

Christine, if they said they don't drink tea that's fair enough though in our house the only alternative would probably be coffee, milk or water (or wine )

But if they then produced their own fancy-pants waitrose organic green tea and said 'oh, I only drink this' then that would be quite rude!

Unless the kid is allergic to squah (a tiny number are, typically with asthma) it's just rude IMO. Di ten PFB get any sweets or just have celery?

All this 'my little darling won't drink x,y or z so I usually bring along a, b or c as an alternative' - if they have no choice perhaps they will blooming well just drink what is offered. Alternatively, it's not going to kill them to go thirsty for an hour or so.
How can some of you be arsed with all this pandering (life threatening allergies or sensitive skin conditions aside!)?

Agree with Psammead and others that it depends how it is done.

MrsDeVere I would be very surprised for DD (2yo) to be offered squash here in Germany. Apple juice diluted with fizzy water is the standard "treat" drink here. DD is given cool fruit or herbal tea or milk at kindergarten and is normally offered a choice of still or fizzy water on playdates.

Crabapple DH is a consultant gastroenterologist and says that is utter nonsense. You can buy rehydration solutions which are better than water, but the recommendation to drink sweet stuff when suffering from D&V is simply to get people, especially children, to drink more. The energy provided by the sugar is also beneficial if you can't eat during the illness.

Vina - is it pandering? I don't buy squash, I don't like it. Why do children have to drink squash?

I did not grow up in the UK so maybe that's why - squash seems to be a very British thing

It is a bit twatty of them but on the other hand my dsis was hyperactive as a child and my parents wouldn't give her squash as a result. I loathe fizzy drinks and only let dd have fizzy water mabe with some juice mixed in.

I think it would have been more polite of your guests to just tell you the child only drinks water,but to be honest I wouldn't be too annoyed at them providing a carton of juice .(I would be annoyed if they told me to buy it in especially).

I am suprised at the negative attitude that some of the posters on this thread seem to have towards any parent trying to give healthy food/drinks to children though.Do you realise the side effects of chemical sweeteners have on your childrens health?Have a look at the link below,it just might change your mind on things.

www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-side-effects.html

Bunbaker most of the parties we go to are at the local sports centre. Parents seem to have the cartons of squash and no cups to get water from the tap. She is 8 now and I have been to very few parties where water has been an option.

VinaApsara As for forcing them to drink something else I have tried on occasion without any success.

No Vina it doesn't kill them not to have a drink, which is what my dc always will do if what they like is not on offer.

But why if you know your child is fussy on drink not take it with you?

Same as earlier post who said that adults will turn up with cider at a party as they don't like wine or beer, so will guarantee there is something they like. Would you take the cider off them, and say "Grow up stop being so fussy you will have beer or wine or wait until you get home", or would you be a gracious host and say "are you drinking that from the can or can I get you a glass?"