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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

2 year old having cup of tea at nursery

363 replies

Pumpkinsoup22 · 02/03/2019 09:46

My dshas just moved out of baby room. When I collected him the other day was told he'd just had a cup of tea and biscuit. I assumed they were role playing and really meant water or milk. However the staff member said no real tea. AIBU to think this isn't really appropriate for 2 year olds.? Before this I've never had any concerns at all with the nursery.

OP posts:
MamaFlintstone · 02/03/2019 14:17

I’d rather mine had tea than squash. Nursery offer neither anyway but I wouldn’t have a canary over some weak milky tea.

Switsy · 02/03/2019 14:17

As I say, people will justify things to themselves if it's in line with that they already believe. We all do it.

ShabbyAbby · 02/03/2019 14:20

My health visitor recommended squash or water mixed with fruit juice, as did my GP, for incredibly stubborn DC2 who would rather dehydrate than drink water Blush and won't drink milk when he's got a cold even
Fussy bugger

Aquilla · 02/03/2019 14:21

It sounds like a lovely nursery!

Faster · 02/03/2019 14:48

My 20mo DS has a cup of milky chai tea occasionally. If he’s feeling run down usually, warm drinks are comforting.
I was raised on fennel tea according to my mum.
I wouldn’t expect a nursery to give children tea mind you, id be surprised but not unhappy if they did. I wouldn’t necessarily having abiscuit each afternoon though.

LaurieMarlow · 02/03/2019 14:49

We are a few years on and advice changes when new research is done. Know better do better.

What has this new research uncovered around tea that means we should be so wary?

Boobiliboobiliboo · 02/03/2019 14:55

won't drink milk when he's got a cold even

Clever. Milk increases mucus so not ideal to be drinking during a cold!

LaBelleSauvage · 02/03/2019 14:57

I'd phone the police OP. Can't be too careful- what's next after tea? Crack cocaine?

Nanny0gg · 02/03/2019 16:30

So, all you sarky lot.

How many of you sent your children to nurseries that served cups of tea to your babies/toddlers?

The OP says the policy even states water/milk (as is normal). She knew those drinks were on offer, not tea. She knows what her DC will be eating (as per menus and policy) so why is it ok to introduce something not agreed?

She is absolutely NBU

LeSquigh · 02/03/2019 16:33

My toddler has tea (decaff but that's only because that's what we have in the house) very regularly. There is nothing wrong with this!

SaltySeaBird · 02/03/2019 16:41

It’s all rather working class really!

What a silly comment! According to MN rules I’d really struggle to work out what class I was.

Windingstreams · 02/03/2019 16:42

@lesquigh

Decaf tea inhibits iron absorption as much as regular tea, which is why the NHS say no tea for young children.

Anaemia is a common issue for children but can be very serious leading to long term cognitive issues I.e brain damage. A cup of tea every once in a while isn’t going to hurt but the advice is there for a reason - don’t give tea regularly to small children.

angelikacpickles · 02/03/2019 18:24

I'm baffled at a nursery offering tea! Of course an occasional cup is not going to do any harm, but given regularly it can inhibit iron absorption. Besides that, it's just totally unnecessary - I just can't see what the point is. If they want to offer a warm drink, can't they just give warm milk?

ShabbyAbby · 02/03/2019 20:36

@Boobiliboobiliboo

His first cold was before he had started weaning onto food so involved a hospital trip with dehydration
If it was intuitive to reduce mucus production that's still amazing though I guess! Hasn't thought of it that way

But actually I don't drink milk or milky things when I'm ill either because it tastes weird so may be that

ShabbyAbby · 02/03/2019 20:36

Hadn't *

EasterEggHunt2019 · 02/03/2019 20:41

At first I thought it was sweet, until I realised they were serving actual tea. Why?!?

Surely milk would have been better. Who serves tea to a 2 year old? Confused

TitsAndTomatoes · 02/03/2019 20:42

I dont know why i have an image of toddlers dressed as Ms Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffanys.

Or the whole ensemble of a Poirot episode.

misses point of thread

TitsAndTomatoes · 02/03/2019 20:44

Im sorry i shouldnt laugh but i now have an image of a toddler saying 'i told you last time Sharon, its 2 sugars not one!'

Grin
KnightError · 02/03/2019 20:48

@EasterEggHunt2019 I did to all of mine. They are still alive, and don't have an iron deficiency to my knowledge. They also like a nice cup of tea.

sighrollseyes · 02/03/2019 20:50

My son loves a cup of tea! Decaf teabags popped in just for a short time.

strawberrypenguin · 02/03/2019 20:56

I wouldn't mind this (my 2yo often has a few mouthfuls if my tea) but if you do then talk to them about it.

EasterEggHunt2019 · 02/03/2019 21:07

@KnightError - Without consulting the parents first though? That's what gets me.

Mummyshark2019 · 02/03/2019 22:15

Just tell them no more tea. Warm milk or just water.

thebeesknees123 · 02/03/2019 22:19

Surprising in this era and not appropriate, no, but, in the scheme of some of the problems I've had with my teenager, I did smile at this post. Sorry Grin

Bigonesmallone3 · 02/03/2019 22:19

I wouldn't be happy with my dd who has just turned 2 having tea..