To ask at what age you let your DC regularly drink soft drinks?

[UnderTheAntenna]

i.e. not just water or milk (hot choc). How old were they when you let them drink soft drinks on non-special occasions?

[Fairylea]

Wow so many people are so strict about this

Ds is 6 and dd is 16. We have squash at home (no added sugar) and they mainly drink water but at weekends when we’re out anything goes. They’ll usually have a coke or a Fanta with a meal or lunch out. Neither have fillings or any dental problems. Both healthy and slim.

I never, ever drink anything other than non sweetened tea because that’s all I like and I have the worst teeth out of all of us.... I brush my teeth twice a day etc etc. I do think a lot of it is just genetics and luck.

[Cuddlysnowleopard]

Never at home. Because no one else drinks them, do I don't buy them.

12 year old has the odd J20 when he's out, but he doesn't like fizzy drinks. 15 year old drinks what he likes when he's out, but he's not really bothered.

They both drink water with meals (including restaurant meals), and gallons of milk the rest of the time.

[PinkieTuscadero]

OP, didn't you know the type of replies you'd get? Of course on MN their 16 year olds only drink water!

[Catsandbootsandbootsandcats]

I very very rarely buy squash or fizzy drinks for home, and mine are 20, 16, 14 & 11.

Mainly because we're on a low income, and they end up drinking it in one sitting and then moaning so and so had more than them etc.
Oh, and too much fizzy drink makes the 14 yo throw up for some reason!

So they get a drink sometimes if we're out or we go out for a meal, but that's it.

None of them are particularly bothered by the lack of fizz, they happily drink water. The oldest buys orange juice for himself.

[Disfordarkchocolate]

Water only at home for most of the time. Juice every month or two at home. When we're out he has a soft drink if he wants one (he's 14).

[IHaveBrilloHair]

3 probably, though it was squash, and fizzy juice occasionally.
She's 17 now and drinks probably 75% water, with tea/fruit tea/coffee/fizzy juice/fresh juice/smoothies/kefir and alcohol making up the other 25%

[megletthesecond]

12 & 10.
Soft drinks still only on meals out.

[dementedpixie]

This thread is the polar opposite of everyone I know! There is fruit juice, milk, lemonade and irn bru in my fridge (both diet) and Robinson's squash in the cupboard. Dh and I will have a fizzy drink with dinner and the kids can have some at the weekend. They will have squash with dinner. There's flavoured water and yazoo strawberry milk too

[notso]

From about one.

[BogstandardBelle]

Never. They are 11 and 8 now and we never have, never will buy them regularly. Why would you want to get them into the habit of drinking them?

[Cherylshaw]

I was never allowed fizzy drinks as a child or teen then when I moved our at 17 I made up for lost time and now I'm a coke (Coca-Cola) addict! I think if you are sensible with it it is fine in small amounts, everything in moderation, I wouldn't allow till at least 10 personally

[Hollowvictory]

No fruit juice especially orange due to tooth enamel issues.

[formerbabe]

I've always hated fizzy drinks...it just wouldn't occur to me to have them in the house or to buy them when I'm doing the shopping.

[Hollowvictory]

We tend to drink alcohol with dinner rather than lemonade

[Faster]

DS is almost two. He gets sugar free squash in his water sometimes, he gets milk that’s been shown a tea bag as well once or twice a week. He doesn’t get fizzy as I don’t buy it in and he’s happy with what he has. He can be a bit tricky with not drinking much so I’m pretty relaxed if he’s going to get fluids into him.

[ItsAllGone19]

My eldest only has squash as a soft drink and has done since we started weaning. She won't contemplate fizzy drinks of any kind.

Youngest though has discovered and loves fizzy drinks so is allowed some once or twice a week, she is 6. I'd prefer that she didn't have any but my experience tells me banning something that someone likes is not the route to healthy self moderation as an adult.

[Faster]

Oh and we don’t buy fruit juice, we just eat fruit.

[teyem]

My ds1 who is almost 12 might have a glass of coke once a week. I don't regulate it particularly though, he just grabs a drink when we have it in. My other two, both younger, don't like fizzy drinks but I need to keep an eye on my littlest who would mainline Ribena given the chance.

[JaniceBattersby]

Every single parent I know has sugar free orange and sugar free blackcurrant in their cupboards and most of their children drink it daily.

Fizzy drinks are for special occasions or with Sunday lunch if we’re having a glass of wine.

[Solo]

I never did allow it. Ds is 20 and now loves energy drinks and Dd is 12 and a tea and water drinker. But then again, I'm not a fizzy pop lover so, I wouldn't really offer it to my kids. Dd and I drink lime soda if we are out for a meal though. I don't personally think tooth-rotting drinks need to be encouraged but, that's me!

[Mominatrix]

"Let" them? I don't buy fizzy drinks for home consumption except champagne, and they are too young to drink that. However, when we are out of the house, they are welcome to order as they please.

One son is a teenager with pocket money which he has freedom to spend as he pleases, which includes fizzy drinks if he wants. I am under no delusion that I have any control over which beverages he chooses to drink with his mates.

[bellsbuss]

DD1 20 and DD 2 14 I was very strict with and they only had water or milk until they started school then were allowed juice DS1 10 had juice from about 2 and DS2 3 has tried pretty much everything

[nothanksbarbra]

3 teenagers here they all drink fizzy drinks but 2 of them isn't particularly fond of them and prefers water.

4&2 year old just drink water or milk

I buy two bottles of pop, orange juice, bottled water and squash in my shopping each week. Sometimes the pop isn't even been opened. I like to have a selection incase anyone fancy them.

[Boysey45]

In cordial even if its no added sugar, theres still sugar in it and its the acidity that wrecks teeth as well.
Diet pop is the same, its really bad for teeth.
I've had loads of dental work done and have drunk a lot of pop over the years, Looking back I'd never had touched it if I'd have known.

Tap water, tea and coffee is what I would go for and a weak dilute drink for tea.No fizzy pop.

[CurtainsOpen]

Depends if they're getting the round in or not