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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU Diet Coke at a party?

517 replies

early30smum · 28/01/2017 18:50

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?

OP posts:
LemonScentedStickyBat · 28/01/2017 20:07

Fruit shoots or squash are standard for children's parties where I am till about age 10 or so. Loads of littler ones don't like fizzy drinks and lots of parents are wary of giving caffeine so I think it's an odd choice.

Highalert · 28/01/2017 20:08

I was at a kids birthday party in Pizza Hut yesterday.The kids went wild with the ice cream station thing.

Good job there were no Mumnetters there. They would have been appalled.

GrumpyOldBag · 28/01/2017 20:09

I would be happy for my kids at that age to have real Coke at a party, but not diet Coke.

Small can, even better.

FWIW we have just had quinoa with pumpkin seeds, chia seeds and roasted butternut squash for family dinner - so I like to think we take a balanced approach to these things.

Original poster
early30smum · 28/01/2017 20:09

I really don't feel I'm clutching my pearls or being precious. I have no issue with kids having party food, or even having fizzy drinks at a party as a treat. It's not what I would choose to serve, because they're expensive and my kids don't like them, but I don't think serving them is awful, I just think it's a bit odd to only offer kids Diet Coke at a party at age 7-8.

OP posts:
Trainspotting1984 · 28/01/2017 20:09

Ice cream is completely different to diet coke

Tubbyinthehottub · 28/01/2017 20:10

I think it's a bit unusual in that most kids that age probably aren't used to or don't like fizzy drinks but it's no worse than Fruit Shoots or a jug of diluted squash, which I'd expect at a party.

TheFairyCaravan · 28/01/2017 20:11

This thread is brilliant. It shows exactly why we have an obesity problem in this country. It has become normal to eat crisps, cakes, sweets and drink fizzy drinks - with or without sugar

A little bit of what you fancy does you good. My children had a healthy diet, they also had crisps, cake, sweets and fizzy drinks on occasion. As a consequence they don't crave crap and can take it or leave it. They're both extremely fit and healthy. DS1(22) is a soldier and is incredibly fit, one of the fittest in his regiment.

Highalert · 28/01/2017 20:11

You think it was just ice cream? You ever been to pizza hut?

Purplehonesty · 28/01/2017 20:11

Nope
Mine wouldn't have been drinking Diet Coke. I think it's weird when my nephew gets Diet Coke and he's 10!
Mine have occasionally had lemonade but only on special occasions like Xmas.

Bravas · 28/01/2017 20:11

I wouldn't be happy with that, ds would love it but it sends him absolutely crazy, it must be the caffeine.

Trainspotting1984 · 28/01/2017 20:13

Well you mentioned ice cream

skislope · 28/01/2017 20:13

I can't imagine anyone would put coke out at a 7 year olds party - what's wrong with them? My 10 year old hasn't tried it yet. Odd and unhealthy.

extrabiotin · 28/01/2017 20:14

The kids who are denied stuff will rebel in later life and go ape shit for it. And drugs and alcohol and all that horrible stuff that will kill them.

Can't control things forever. LOL.

EdmundCleverClogs · 28/01/2017 20:14

Goodness this is MN at its finest! Kids party, sweets and crisps galore, but a small can of Coke is the weird and bad parenting.

Quite frankly, if I had to deal with someone else's little darlings for a few hours at a party, I'd be more tempted to offer shots of Calpol and hope they sleep until the parents turn up. The sugar free variety of course, I'm not a monster....

Highalert · 28/01/2017 20:15

This thread is so funny. I'm not sure who is being serious or taking the piss any more.

Littleballerina · 28/01/2017 20:16

I would be disgusted. Plenty of other options out there.
If that makes me smug or 'one of those parents' so be it. I don't understand the need to show off what awful foods/drinks you feed your children. It isn't anything to be proud of.

Highalert · 28/01/2017 20:18

Are you being serious, little?

LucklessMonster · 28/01/2017 20:18

Lemonade as a Christmas treat Grin Grin

Being disgusted at Diet Coke Grin Grin Grin Grin

extrabiotin · 28/01/2017 20:19

Mad Ted.

Hope you can all control their preferences when they are 18.

Coulddowithanap · 28/01/2017 20:20

My daughter went to a 3rd birthday party and they only offered fizzy drinks too.

It's nice to offer squash or water. Not all children like fizzy.

Highalert · 28/01/2017 20:20

My 22 year old son never drinks coke. Not without Jack Daniels in it anyway.

MrsTerryPratchett · 28/01/2017 20:20

That is also smug, "your children are denied things and will GO CRAZY for them later. And by the way, you're BORING ND SHIT". DD just said she was thirsty, we went into a store, into the drink aisle, she chose water. No suggestion from me. Kids do what's habit. She's been given fizzy drinks. She doesn't like them.

She could eat 12 cupcakes at a sitting if she was allowed. Just won't drink fizzy pop.

I'm not judging. I just think you offer children water. You know, in case they're thirsty.

KatieScarlett · 28/01/2017 20:21

I held lots of my DS parties in Pizza Hut as it was his favourite restaurant. None of the kids have become obese, no catsbum mouth from the parents and they all drank fat coke, ate pizza and demolished the ice cream factory.
All this fuss over a teeny can of Diet Coke is hilarious. Sanctimommy at its finest.

extrabiotin · 28/01/2017 20:21

@Highalert

There is smug, and there is reality.

Smug wins here but I don't like it.

TheFairyCaravan · 28/01/2017 20:21

I would be disgusted. Plenty of other options out there.

You would be disgusted because someone gave your child a small drink at a party? Fucking hell! I'm glad I had my kids in the olden days when the most important thing about a birthday party was having fun!