To expect water at a child's birthday party?

[Mehfruittea]

Just that really. We've been to 15 parties in the last 3 months and have always had to ask or take our own. Even when I ask for water, I get a cup. The party organiser, soft play centre etc don't think to bring out a jug for other kids.

DS is 5 and will only drink water or milk. Surely this is not unusual - to not drink juice or squash?

I think it is pretty unusual for kids to not like juice. I know children who are only allowed to drink milk or water on a daily basis but will drink juice at parties. I'd no more expect healthy drinks than healthy food to be served as a matter of course tbh.

I refused to have coke at dsd's party (she's 8) as she doesn't drink it & all of us thought water, juice, and squash was quite generous. Cue the outraged parents whose 8 year olds drink 'nothing but coke'. One parent offered to nip to the shops and buy some for the whole party and was so offended when I said no.

In the meantime of course in the absence of other kids these cokeaholic kids were quite haplily drinking what we had. So it was a parent problem rather than a kid problem.

Next party we'll only serve gin.

Other drinks not kids lol

Daily Mail If you're serving Gin, can I come?

Drinking milk instead of juice or squash really isn't that great. The milk marketing board have done a very effective job, but the reality is different: www.google.co.uk/amp/amp.livescience.com/49551-should-kids-drink-milk.html

OP it sounds as though people are always happy to bring you water but don't bring a jug because you're the only person to have asked for it. If you'd like a jug ask the host, I'm sure they'll help you out.

We've been to fifteen parties in the last three months ..

Maybe that's why your nerves are a bit frazzled, fruittea That's a lot of hours in the company of large numbers of small excited children . Your son definitely has a packed social calendar.

Water isn't provided because people demand it for free. Party providers want to make a profit and so offer the expensive profit making drinks like squash.

Mehfruittea only if you bring your own tonic. I'll serve it straight lol

Rhi writes - that article is a load of rubbish. 3/4 of the population aren't lactose intolerant and the article they cite a little later about childhood obesity doesn't state that at all. They've obviously not read it!

Anyway two of mine don't drink squash, offering squash only seems to be normal around here and I just ask for an extra jug of water. Its a cost thing

Baffled that you're annoyed about water being "usually provided, but only one cup at a time". What's the problem? If he wants another one, ask again...

Rhi, all that article tells you is there are alternatives to milk for children who are lactose intolerant or don't like it. Hardly a reason not to give it to a child who does like it and can tolerate it. The article states quite clearly (and correctly) that milk does contain important nutrients. Now what nutrients exactly are found in supermarket squash?

In Scandinavia, milk is a daily drink not only for children but for adults. Yet obesity levels are far lower than in the UK.

Milk is high in protein, available calcium, and people have been eating dairy for as long as soya/almonds so lactose/soya/nut intolerance and allergies are all real things yet the idiots out there are just targeting milk. My aunt's colitis she was told prob developed as a direct result of eating soya for years with a mild soya allergy.

Ah I feel your pain OP. Another stealth boaster here. My dc personal choice of drink is only milk or water. She is welcome to juice, but spits it out .

I was going to say YABU but then with the your wheelchair I understand it is harder to get DS a water.

You already know to bring your own because this is a regular thing, but you dropped the ball today. I'd try to let it go, it's not a big deal in the grand scheme of things but understandably annoying in the moment. Vent away and then make like Elsa!

If your ds is 5 can he not just ask the party host for a drink of water himself?

Also baffled that you are surprised that water comes in a cup.

I agree that water is surprisingly popular when it's an option.

Dd can't drink squash or eat sugary foods so children's parties are particularly tricky. Although I find it a bit annoying for us, it's a party and I can understand children having treats. I do think water should be offered at the same time though. I'm fortunate that dd understands that she can't drink squash otherwise it would be a nightmare taking her to parties.

I always have water in a jug when we have children's parties....and juice. Not fizz as some parents see it as the Devil himself. I allow my DC to have a coke now and then...my DD is 8 and her friend has never had a coke or lemonade in her life. I once saw this child's Dad almost break his neck in a rush to reach her before another Mum could hand her a small can of lemonade at an outdoor party on a hot day.

He sped across that lawn like she was offering his kid a hit of crack.

Also baffled that you are surprised that water comes in a cup.

Why is it baffling if the other drinks come in a jug?

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I find the whole British attitude to providing water bizarre. In so many other countries, you get a lovely big carafe of the stuff, often with ice, provided when you sit down at a table in a bar or restaurant. It's not just hot countries either. Why do you have to practically beg for it in a British place?? I am more likely to stay and buy more alcohol if I am able to hydrate while I drink.

Most parties I've been to as a nanny have water and juice

If at a soft play I will usually get kids a cup of squash then have jug of water on table once finished

Does seem wired no water was offered. At 5 your dc should be capable of getting to cafe /toilet and gettibn a cup

Or you /they ask host to get a jug - ESP as you are in a wheelchair so harder for you to access

And yes amazing how many kids only drink squash - according to parents 🙄 yet quite happily drink water if all that's available .........

toilet???

Is this a stealth boast about your DS not liking squash?

Ah, Mumsnet.