Water only at school- thoughts please

[lemony21]

I'd love to hear your thoughts about children being told to bring in only water to drink during school time.

You think it is poor parenting not to give kids a bottle of squash..

My DS only drinks water.. However if you think the children don't behave because they have had a glass of squash you are deluded.

You can always get one of those Sistema pods you fill with fruit and drop that into their water bottle to flavour it.

Hates water? Fucks sake!!!!!

From a purely professional point of view drinking anything other than plain water and plain milk (tea/coffee with no sugar) between meals is soooo bad for teeth but even at work we only ever ADVISE patients of the consequences we don't dictate anything as its their choice.

As a mother I believe it should be my choice as to what I give my child.

Fruit juice with a meal, fine. Sugar high is a myth but sugar and sweeteners (in nas drinks) are harmful in other ways.

There's also (especially these days) the issue of spillages causing damage to resources and equipment, water is less harmful when spilled than a sugary solution. It's easier to clean up and won't attract flies and ants if a spill is missed!

It's been the rule in both my DC's schools for years, DS went to the same school I did and it was water only even when I was there, so it's normal to me.

The school I work in say water only in lessons but squash or a carton of juice is allowed at lunch.

I've never known a school allow sweets or chocolate bars either, so I'm surprised your school has only just agreed to send a note home.

I don't like water, can't stand it, and it's nothing to do with being used to sugary drinks as I drink loads of tea.

DS mainly drinks water though and is rarely given anything else - I won't buy no sugar squashes as they're full of artificial sweetners which imo taste terrible. Elderflower cordial for me, at almost homeopathic weakness, so I don't think the amount of sugar is a problem if DS does share it.

I wonder if children in drought areas of Africa ever complain that they hate water? Is it as scrummy as chocolate milkshake? No but it's what humans need and surely no one has ever wretched trying to drink water?

Lucky you having kids that liked water

It's not luck, it's quite simple, you just don't give them any drinks other than water or milk, from day 1. Squash and fruit juice only allowed as a treat at grandparents house/parties/restaurants etc.

Adults who don't like water probably grew up being given squash too.

"I've never known a school allow sweets or chocolate bars either, so I'm surprised your school has only just agreed to send a note home."

Yes I'm wondering if it's a uk school.

My daughters been to 5 different schools under 3 different councils 2 different countries in uk all had same rules.

My DD is being brought up in water but I have to say it's the parents choice what they bring the children up on. Yes water is healthier and you feel it would be better for the children but that is not your choice to make. If someone tried to tell me what to give my DD, I'd tell them where to shove it!

Christ I've heard a load of sanctimonious BS on Mumsnet in my time but this is right up there. People who give their children one drink of sugar-free squash per day are poor parents and are not thinking about their health and wellbeing? Ha ha ha.

lofemdoesnt have to always be about what is healthiest, what is smartest, what is most sensible. Theres got to be a little bit of enjoyment and indulgence thrown in there somewhere, you know. Especially when they're just little dots,

I'm still not clear - are you talking about the drink children have in their classroom or with their packed lunch?

I'd guess that more sugar free squash is sold now than regular squash. I don't think a school should be dictating whether a child has sugar free squash in their lunchbox. That really would be intrusive.

Not sure where your school has been through all the healthy eating campaigns?
'Only water' has always been the rule in every school I've taught at, since it became a 'thing' for people to feel the need to bring drinks in with them - what, 15 - 20 yrs ago?

I send mine in with a bottle of strongbow.

"Especially when they're just little dots," actually THIS is when you set their habits for life. So this is when it's MOST important to get them to eat & drink healthily, not see food/drink as reward or punishment, not attach emotions to eating/not eating.

How can people not understand that people might not like water, just because they do? Even if you're not giving squash to children then it doesn't mean they'll automatically like water. They might tolerate it, but that doesn't mean they like it.

If I just gave you gruel to eat all day every day, would you automatically start liking it? [comfused]

Our school is water only for in class. Tbh though ds has water but Dd has water with a tiny splash of apple juice.

They both get a smoothie or fresh orange in their packed lunches when they aren't school dinners and they both have milk in class.

The OP is merely bringing the school into line with the vast majority of schools who already have a water only policy

OP isn't, because she doesn't have the authority to and isn't supported by those who do. So she's just being judgey for no good reason.

Funny thing, I always drink water for thirst now, but when I went to school, I preferred tea.
Probably to do with the plastic bottle I had then; the plastic taste is obvious with plain water.
Water only during lessons is sensible, during breaks that'd be somewhat exaggerated. But I'd not consider a total ban on anything but water a catastrophe, either.

It's not luck, it's quite simple, you just don't give them any drinks other than water or milk, from day 1

This. It is a question of what one is used to. I don't think it is possible for a human being to inherently dislike water. Evolution would have killed off those genetic outliers really, really fast.

I send mine in with a bottle of strongbow

God I can't stand the stealth boasting on these threads.

Yeah I get it.

My kids have to make do with Aldi's cheapest, while yours get Strongbow

Next you'll be telling me yours smoke Benson and Hedges, while mine have to roll their own.

Fucker!

Well Graphista I absolutely disagree with you. I think banning kids from eating or drinking specific things is a surefire way of giving them the wrong messages about food. Most people I know who grew up with their parents banging on about diets healthy eating now has an unhealthy relationship with food. Nothing was banned in my house growing up, we simply ate balanced meals with no protracted discussion on the topic, and we're now all slim and healthy.

I'm takin the same route with my kids. Here will be no diets, no demonising certain food groups and no banning specific foods.

Mine had squash from a young age and it was full sugar as no sugar free carcinogenic squash was available then.
Their school was water only and they encouraged the children to drink water.
My ds1 came home and announced water is great for you, and lions drink water accompanied by a huge roar.

They had been taught this, he never bothered about squash again.
Now at 25 he'll come round and he'll opt for water over a tea/ coffee.
and still roars occasionally after glugging his water.

"hating water"!

Oh my word.

In the dark days of the Middle Age, when I was at school the only option was water. I am pretty sure no child ever suffered from dehydration because he refused to drink water. Plus, shock horror! we only got fruit juice and crisps when we had an excursion! Shall I start a court case for pain and suffering?

It's about time all this sugary rubbish is banned from school. I have seen parents giving "sport drinks" to their kids on Saturday or Sunday morning to give them energy before sport competition. You can't argue with stupid, just ban the bloody things, it's easier.

Sorry for typos.