To think water only at school is ridiculous

[Joanne279]

I'm having a gripe at my kids new school. We werent informed of the water only rule before we started.

Ds aged 6 and dd aged 9 (suffers with autism) now refuse to drink.

Ds, on the grounds he hates water. I gave him flavoured water which he likes, but the school said no!!!!!

Dd, has been allowed to take squash because is her ASD but now refuses to even take a drink because she's different to everyone else. She won't drink water at all.

The teachers all drink coffee/tea in the staff room but kids are water only! Surely the teachers should be setting the example?

I've rang the council who say the healthy rules are at the school discretion. I'm waiting for a call back from the head teacher because I think it's stupid! I could understand if I was sending them with coke or lucozade, but flavoured water a no no? Really?

Just wondered what you all thought x

[fuzzpig]

True but still an interesting bun fight subject :o I'd not got round to reading it originally but noticed it again when it was bumped in light of the recent article about tooth extractions etc.

I would be interested to see if OP has decided to take the matter further though :)

[nigerdelta]

OP hasn't posted in about 5 weeks, gals.

[TheLovelyBoots]

I agree with clam. How is even a matter of debate?
Can we see some stats on children refusing water?

[clam]

OK, so I'm probably going to sound a bit Daily Mail here, but I just find it a bit depressing that, when millions of people in the world are struggling to get enough water to live, we in the UK are flouncing about the horrors of our pfbs being "forced" to drink only water in our richly-funded, free-at-the-point-of-entry schools, which many millions of kids in other countries would keep their right arms to be able to attend.

[mollypup]

I feel their pain. I have never liked plain water, a dash of squash and I'm fine. Otherwise I just can't drink it and feel like my thirst has been quenched.

[TierAufTier]

Look what just appeared on my Facebook feed! (Have namechanged as obviously it gives away what town I'm in)

www.crawleynews.co.uk/Child-removed-school-row-drinks/story-21640896-detail/story.html

[maddy68]

Most schools are water only for many reasons. And the same rule applied to a special school where I used to work. Your autistic child will drink it eventually. It's all part of learning and growing up
Water is the best thing to drink on a health basis but also if it spills there will be no complaints from parents about stained clothes, no sticky residue for cleaners to deal with. I think you sound rather precious tbh Really don't become 'one of those parents' already!

[TouchOfNatural]

We have water and milk only policy at our preschool nursery. Kids have enough junk - fizzy/squash etc - at home.. We try and install healthy habits.

IF they are thirsty they WILL drink water ... I've seen it loads of times over the years.

Be thankful the school has a healthy drinking policy!

[Bramshott]

Absolutely. They should allow gin. How do they expect the kids to get through the day without it.

[fuzzpig]

And agree the school needs to have some flexibility for medical exceptions. I presume my DCs' school would as they do for other situations (assembly etc), I would hope any decent school would, it's sad to read threads about some schools not doing so and causing struggling children to suffer :(

[fuzzpig]

I don't think there's anything wrong with teachers/HTs dictating what can't be drunk in their classrooms. Water only is sensible if water-refusing DCs can drink juice etc at lunch.

I think that's how my DCs' school does it - water available in lessons (named bottles kept in a tray by the sink), any drink in packed lunch (no idea if fizzy drinks are allowed or not as I never sent them) and they can choose from water or milk with school dinners. Then back to water only until school finishes. I don't think it's a problem as it's only 6 or so hours a day with a break in the middle. Banning everything at lunchtime too would be too extreme I think.

[Adikia]

OP's school have said her DD can drink squash as she can't drink water due to her ASD so I really don't see the issue, they are being flexible for those with a genuine reason but if they start giving in to the children who are just being fussy how long do you think it will be before they start getting calls because little Johnny won't drink squash, he only likes fizzy drinks? or little Sarah actually needs crisps a bar of chocolate and some red bull for lunch because that's all she likes?

School rules have to be an absolute (unless there are medical reasons) not these are the rules unless you sulk enough that your mum makes a fuss.

[skinoncustard]

Thebodylovesspring I am sure many teachers would love to 'just teach' . They spend an awful amount of time, ( mainly there own ) jumping through the various hoops that Mr Gove et al keep thinking up. Not to worry though, between soldiers, old age pensioners, and whichever other group of people that they think can 'just teach' , water or not will be the least of your worries.
For the record,my opinion -water only in class, lunchtime - would a squash really hurt!

[Delphiniumsblue]

It isn't that they don't like water- it is that they prefer it with sugar and flavouring. They know that their mother will be worried if they don't drink (whatever she says they will read her body language) and so they hold out and get their own way. They would drink it with me because I would take them on a 10 mile hike with water only and I really wouldn't care if they didn't drink it- so they would!
(I am not talking for SN)

[pukkabo]

I'm genuinely confused by anyone who doesn't like water. What's not to like? It doesn't even taste of much. You're thirsty so you drink it and it takes your thirst away. That's all there is too it, surely? Or did I miss something?

I loathe squash. It's bad for anyone's health. It should be something that, if you insist on giving, is given every so often, not for every single drink of the day. The water only rule is brilliant.

[HavanaSlife]

I dont actually see the need for them to be drinking anything in the classroom, I dont think we were allowed as children and I dont think ds1 was either.

I think they should have water fountains so they can have a drink when they come in from play time (ds2s school have them) then nothing until lunch. They will not dehydrate between 9 and 12 if they dont want the water.

(As long as they have no sn)

[Delphiniumsblue]

They don't Havana- which is why the thread was started. Many people think it unfair and squash and juice should be allowed because their DCs won't drink water. I think that after the latest report the chances are nil!

[HavanaSlife]

Ive never known a school let them sip sugary drinks all day, but no I still dont think they dhould stop fruit juice or squash in lunch boxes

[wowfudge]

I will caveat by stating I haven't read the whole thread, but I'm not sure it's the taste of water some people hate, I think they prefer the taste of other things so water is oddly tasteless.

Whatever - water only at school is fine. When they haven't had anything to drink and are thirsty I think they'll accept the water.

[Oblomov]

I agree with the only water rule and think it's right.
I would expect to be told of the rule, because I would just consider it the norm.
Exceptional circumstances, I would expect a Head to cater for.

[Delphiniumsblue]

I assume that it hasn't changed any minds then. Those who think schools are unreasonable not to allow children to sip sugary drinks all day still think they are unreasonable.

[stealthsquiggle]

I always see these threads from the other side, as it were. My DS will not drink squash. At all. Even if thirsty to the point of dehydration (which, for him, starts with extreme grumpiness). Thanks to the DC campaigning for it, there is squash available at lunchtime, and breaks, and they take squash with them to matches. Personally, I see the point that lukewarm squash is more appetising than lukewarm water, but the net result is that DS has to go out his way / ask to get water instead of squash, and being a lazy medium sized boy, he doesn't.

I can therefore easily believe that there are DC for whom the opposite applies, and that they really do get dehydrated rather than admit defeat and drink water.

I think my subtle whinges have taken effect, though, as last time I tried to force a water bottle on him for a match day he told me that they take water with them now.

[xalyssx]

Will she drink sparkling water?

[Jinsei]

I really don't understand why parents make such an issue out of this. Water is the best drink, and unless there is a medical reason why children need something else, then surely there is no issue.

What teachers drink in the staff room really has no bearing on this. Teachers are not pupils.

[OneLittleToddleTerror]

What's the problem. I grew up with only water at home. Never squash or fizzy. I didn't know I was missing anything. Now we have it at home because DH was brought up with the stuff. He can't eat without something sweet to drink.