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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU - No sweets or squash

443 replies

mamab30 · 29/04/2013 13:16

AIBU to not serve squash or give out sweets at a children's party?

Just wondering what parents would think of going to a children's party where there was only water to drink and just birthday cake to take home. For us that would be normal and I wouldn't think anything of it but just wondering if parents would be surprised at not seeing squash or sweets?

OP posts:
AuchAyethenoo · 29/04/2013 19:16

Why should a parent have to compromise on their ideals about offering healthy foods to placate others.

My sister offers fizzy drinks to her children, that's up to her, but I will not pour them a glass when asked to as it doesn't feel comfortable for me to do so. The same goes for parties.

I spend a lot of time, money and effort when I host any party - adult or child, no one has to go hungry.

noblegiraffe · 29/04/2013 19:20

My DS started drinking squash because when he was offered nothing but water (he won't touch milk) he was only drinking a few sips a day and given that he was constipated for two years we were kind of keen to get a bit more liquid into him.

Judge away, organic lentil merchants.

JollyPurpleGiant · 29/04/2013 19:39

I would have no problem with young children being offered a choice of milk or water.

jenniferturkington · 29/04/2013 19:50

Yabu
My ds (5) doesn't like squash or sweets, but I certainly served squash at his party (along with buns, crisps, jam sandwiches etc etc) and put sweets in the party bags.
Get some perspective, it's squash Hmm

MoominsYonisAreScary · 29/04/2013 20:19

What do you put in pass the parcel if not sweets Grin

sunlightonthegrass · 29/04/2013 20:26

I don't understand why people care so much. I have read through and I still don't get it at all.

The OP isn't criticising people who do serve squash or sweets but asking if it's OK not to. I am a veggie; I will not serve meat in my house, if people don't like this then they are free not to visit although to my knowledge no one has elicited to avoid me for this reason.

And seriously, people remember what was served at a kids party, laugh about it months later and "feel sorry" for the "poor kids"? I just don't believe that sorry - or if they do it sounds like they are the ones who belong in the playground.

Iced water to drink and fruit salad/homemade cake and a BBQ sounds absolutely fine to me and why people think it's so hilarious are beyond me. So some people don't like water - I'd suggest this is quite unusual to be honest but it's a fairly standard 'drink.' It isn't as if the OP is suggesting serving something that only serves a particular taste. I hate fresh fruit drinks as I find them really acidic and strong tasting and dislike squash for, frankly, the crap in it.

How very weird that people care so much what someone else serves at a party.

echt · 29/04/2013 20:30

Er... the OP asked for opinions and that's what she got.

I think the OP is illogical. If her objection is surly about sugary shite, then why have cake. It's full of the stuff...

sunlightonthegrass · 29/04/2013 20:36

Opinions, fine - "Some kids are funny about just drinking water so have an alternative."

"Oh, let them have squash as a one off."

But honestly, seriously, adult women bitching and giggling and sneering about food at a kid's party? Hmm It's one of those things that I think are so unimportant it doesn't even cross my radar, to be honest. I could understand it if the OP had suggested some really weird themed party like very spicy foods or just cucumber and broccoli or something but just water and no sweets? That's IT? Hardly dreadful.

OP, I went to a Halloween party when I was about seven or eight and they had some cherry-ade and lime-ade but called it "vampire's blood and witch's wee" - put me right off, even though I actually like cherryade! Grin

sweetestcup · 29/04/2013 20:37

I don't really understand the 'doesn't drink water thing' unless you had severe food issues how can you not drink water?

Really why is it so hard to understand that some people don't like water? Confused Me I like it, but my boys would rather dehydrate.

zukiecat · 29/04/2013 20:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 29/04/2013 20:54

OP YANBU but everyone will talk about you afterwards.

If you don't care about them all saying "What a weirdo!" then go right ahead.

Grin
littleducks · 29/04/2013 21:05

Sweetestcup- I understand people don't like it, but I can't understand people not drinking it. Your body needs water more than food.

SolomanDaisy · 29/04/2013 21:18

I'm sure when I was a child we had fizzy drinks at birthday parties. Squash was for parties at school and clubs and was always foul. From the look on my DS's face when he tries it, it still is. I'd assume people offering squash at a party were being excessively healthy and mean. I'd assume there'd been some sort of delivery error if only water was offered, although it's my DS's preferred drink. He's not two yet though, so the drinks at parties I've been to have been aimed at the adults...

Jewcy · 29/04/2013 23:10

Likeitorlumpit, I am fucking shrieking with mirth at your 'cunt' link Grin

Jewcy · 29/04/2013 23:20

I could understand it if the OP had suggested some really weird themed party...

She has: the theme is 'Prison Rations' and the games include 'Pass The Kumquat' and 'Pin the Tail on the Vegan'.

P.s..I've just been watching Crimewatch and Kirsty McVegSticks warned that most crimes are committed by those who were refused squash and sweets as a child.

SuiGeneris · 29/04/2013 23:27

OP: do as you think is best. We offer water, juice or smoothie, would never have squash (don't see the point) and only put a single Lindor in the party bags. Other parents have commented favourably.

SuiGeneris · 29/04/2013 23:31

Moomins: I have never seen a pass the parcel with sweets. IOE it is always little toys. So perfectly possible without sweets if one so wishes.,,

likeitorlumpit · 29/04/2013 23:46

jewcy thanks for seeing the effort i put into showing what sort of cards they will receive for having the party from hell , i was just going to look for what sort of toys they would get ,but i seriously would not advise googling on images toys for cunts .

Jewcy · 30/04/2013 00:22

...only put a single Lindor in the party bags. Other parents have commented favourably.

I cannot fully convey the volume of gin tea I spluttered out of my mouth upon reading this. Utterly vainglorious and not a little absurd.

Jewcy · 30/04/2013 00:25

likeit, nothing could shock me after this thread.

Water. At a children's party. And no sweets

MusicalEndorphins · 30/04/2013 02:35

Mamab30 It would be unreasonable to only serve water, glad you decided to add juice to the menu. Why not serve milk as well? Those are the choices we had until the boys were teens and wanted pop.

smeeeheee · 30/04/2013 02:55

OP I suspect what you wanted was not to ask people's opinion because you genuinely weren't sure about it, but the opportunity to be condescending and holier than thou to everyone. Otherwise, why would you react so smugly when people gave you their opinion?

GirlOutNumbered · 30/04/2013 05:07

Little ducks.
Yes my body needs water but I can get it with squash in the water Orr coffee or juice. I'm 37 and haver never drunk water, nothing terrible hss happened.

AlexReidsLonelyBraincell · 30/04/2013 05:27

"How about a piñata filled with vitamins?"

Oh Jewcy that just made me snooooort like a pig. A free range one of course. Grin

MammaTJ · 30/04/2013 05:40

BBQ, lack of sweets is fine, imo.

We once did a party where DP spent his time in the kitchen cooking burgers, sausages and chips, rather than have a pile of crap that included sandwiches that would be ignored, then loads of sugary stuff. The parents knew the kids had actually been fed. Not the healthiest, but ok.

You do need juice though, as someone said upthread, the cartons are ideal.

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