AIBU Diet Coke at a party?

[early30smum]

DD (7) has just got back from a party. The only drinks put out for the kids were Diet Coke! She did get some water in the end, but the drink provided for each child was a mini can of Diet Coke!

AIBU to think this is a bit weird/uneccesary for a birthday party of 7-8 yr olds?

Nice response, you clearly are superior in every way.

nope, i am not superior, I just know that some of us react badly to caffeine

No need for the 'fuck off' then really is there?

foxesarefriends I've just read that link. I don't know if it's a myth but I couldn't believe the transformation in my son after 1 fresh sugar donut, maybe it's because he'd never had anything with that much sugar in his life!

yes there is if you feel got at!

I can't believe all the people on here having a go at coke-haters!!! If you knew what that stuff does to your insides, you'd only ever use it for cleaning your toilet. I noticed people posting articles supposedly proving that it caused no developmental problems in children, but that doesn't avoid the fact that aspartame is carcinogenic and the amount of acid in coke/Diet Coke is such that it actually uses more water from the body than it provides! So it's actually dehydrating you.
So yes, I have a problem with people giving it to my kids, sorry not sorry!

and i had already received "for fucksake"from flogging molly

also why post in AIBU the you don't what to know what others
think good night

I hope you're as vigilant about protecting him from your uncouth ways as you are about protecting him from Diet Coke! 😆

"Only for a certain type of parent is it weird to give diet coke to 7-8 year olds."

Then I am weird!! I would be fuming! I do not consider fizzy drinks and certainly caffeine appropriate for children. My 7 ds has never had one, and no... we are not hippy tree huggers ... (nothing wrong if we were!) but that stuff is so unhealthy and unnecessary! If you give that to your children I would have expected to have water / squash out as well .

It goes both ways.
I wonder if the perfect parent brigade are getting confused and thinking that those who say it's not a big deal are giving to their dc three times a day and at night in a bottle?

It's the only explanation for this over the top reaction.

'but that doesn't avoid the fact that aspartame is carcinogenic'

And yet it's still for sale on the shelves of our supermarkets...

Maybe the party hosts just forgot to put out a jug of water. Because, y'know they were surrounded by 7 year olds.

www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/the-truth-about-aspartame.aspx

Oh look, some facts.

I hope that the parent hasn't got wind of this thread, it's going to make someone feel pretty awful to be described as a poor parent based on this.

carminia you'd be fuming! ? Because of a 150ml can of Diet Coke offered at a party to a 7 yr old who didn't even drink it - wow!! Yep it's unhealthy and unnecessary as are party rings, cocktail sausages and jam sandwiches.

runtystiltsskin umm, who said perfect? just don't want my child to be given caffeine at a party. Not sure that makes me anything other than normal! The responses to this thread actually make me want to leave mumsnet so f-off, goodnight and I hope those whose children have had caffeine sleep well and good luck

aspartame is carcinogenic - a bold claim considering the lack of scientific evidence for this.

Well this thread is very passionate from all sides and shows that everyone has their own views. I wouldn't offer coke at a party at that age personally, if I did it would be caffeine free. This is primarily because my children don't really have coke yet because my DD has ADHD and would be utterly hyperactive if she drank it which wouldn't be conducive to a happy birthday. A failed experiment with Mountain Dew which is reported to be calming for children with ADHD was testament to this. I will infer caffeine free coke as she gets older though.

The original question was about there only being coke on offer and I'd agree that other options should be available. I'd always have water and squash in offer too. Loads of it as the children seem to drink bucket loads.

" I wonder if the perfect parent brigade are getting confused and thinking that those who say it's not a big deal are giving to their dc three times a day and at night in a bottle? "

No, but what I find is these things generally aren't a one off. This week we've had a kids party, a meal out with family, visits from grandparents and treats brought round by a friend. All involved sweets and sugary drinks.

This can be fairly usual for us and it becomes a habit. I'm really trying to put my foot down this year.

There are loads of obese kids and most of their parents are in denial. There are more kids than ever having teeth removed because of tooth decay.

A can of Coke once a year isn't going to cause problems but can most people honestly say it's that rare an occurrence?

bunty
And yet it's still for sale on the shelves of our supermarkets...

Unfortunately. Like cigarettes (albeit in a kiosk, but still...)

My son doesn't drink anything but water (his choice not mine) and you would be surprised at how many parties don't supply water - I used to send him with a small bottle.
But I'm sorry I'm in the camp of no diet coke! But it's because I have decided I don't want my children having fake sugar or caffeine.

Chances are there were other drinks on offer it is just that Diet Coke was the one the OP's DC considered worthy of note.

Two out of three of my dc only drink water though, no tea, coffee, squash.
The eldest is 19.

That is nothing to do with me freaking out if they occasionally were offered Coke at a party. Absolutely nothing.