AIBU to not want fizzy drinks at my kids party

[Anorthernlass]

So to be clear I'd bought the diet, caffeine free varieties, plus other homemade fizzy stuff just so they're not missing out (yes I know about the sweetners but it's a one-off). So when a parent turns up with 40 cans of sugar loaded drinks and they all run to grab them before I've even noticed or had a chance to offer anything else... its very annoying! Cue spirited, cheeky kids turning into little vandals - tantrums and tummyaches galore... not an exaggeration.

I’d say I have been to 100 children’s parties at this stage, I have never seen fizzy drinks at them. I once spent 7 hours in a play centre while heavily pregnant, 3 parties in a row. It’s just mixed cordial or water that’s available and if in someone’s house, milk or water.

Goodness me. Quite the MN fuss.

😂Exactly!!! It's a one time deal, the kids will live. And I doubt that the fizzy pops made them act the way they did or gave them stomaches - i've been to too many parties in my lifetime and have NEVER seen that happen. If a kid acts like a vandal its not cause of what they were drinking lol

Did anything else not happen at this party?

Sounds like you had a riot on your hands; would love to know where the person got the 40 pack from if it had that effect on all the kids present; might be worth having a tea party next time with just your kids & family members the kids can have water & adults can have decaffeinated teas & coffee 😂 everyone’s a winner then

I think you are being overly dramatic. Kids at birthday parties are vandals anyway, and it's a one-off.

Vandals? No.

I got massively hyper on coke when I was a kid and my mum.purposely bought it for me because I was "so funny."

A family member says the same about their kids "oh no he's eating sugar, he'll have a sugar rush!" Kid instantly starts pratting about. Not a sugar rush. Just a kid that been taught to act like a twat for attention when they have sugar.

Sounds like you had a gathering and someone brought along a perfectly normal thing you'd bring to a gathering.

@NatriumChloride is exactly right.

That old wives tail was disproven ages ago.

I don't really believe in "sugar rush" theories either. I know a few parents who never ever give their kids sugar and then if they manage to snaffle some at a party or whatever the parents attribute any and all excitable behaviour to the sugar. Some of the additives and colourings, maybe, but more likely its just due to being allowed to enjoy themselves and eat the things their friends eat. I don't like fast food - McDonald's, KFC etc. I just genuinely dislike the taste and the whole experience so my kids get overexcited if they get to go because its so rare and they think they're missing out on something (maybe they are?). I think 3 cans of coke for a 10 year old is way too much for an afternoon but as a one off I couldn't get too worked up about it.

When I was a child everyone had fizzy drinks at parties, and I don't remember anyone ever becoming "little vandals - tantrums and tummyaches galore..." I would rather a child of mine have sugar than artificial rubbish anyway, and if a child can't have a fizzy drink once in a while there is something sadly wrong with the world.

My son only had them at Birthday parties and I did not say anything as did not want him to be singled out but other than that he drank water and to this day he drinks a few litres a day and we do not have fizzy drinks in the house except on a rare occasion.

I get where you’re coming from. My daughter is 4 and has only ever been given water (mainly because I thought once she gets a taste for something else she’ll never go back) she loves it. I do get funny looks when people ask what she’ll have to drink at parties etc and I say water.. but I won’t not let her have squash or what’s on offer at parties as she might feel left out. she had her first taste of squash at the weekend and some lemonade. I think you just have to accept that parties involve sugary drinks and move on.

Phew. I'm so, so, so very sorry. I shall try harder next time.

After reading your last sarcastic childish update OP I’m wonder if the ‘tantrums and tummy-ache’ was referencing yourself 🤣

How old are the children? My eldest is 10 and I’ve never seen anything other than squash at parties!! I live a sheltered life it seems…

Well my children are not allowed fizzy drinks as a rule but I do turn a blind eye at parties. Although I'm a dentist, I also need to teach my children appropriateness and self regulation. So they'll have a fizzy drink and as we get home ask for the fluoride mouthwash. I then make sure they eat a little healthier elsewhere. If they have gone crazy because of the additives, then I have to suck it up because they had a good time and make them aware that it's contributed to some poor behaviour.

YANBU for being pissed off

YABU for not getting over it.

Gosh your kids “go crazy” and behave poorly if they have a can of cola? That’s very concerning. And they need to ask for fluoride mouthwash when they get home then eat healthy?

I don’t think that’s in the range of normal and is concerning on many fronts.

"You may as well let your children smoke cigarettes" - classic mumsnet. Reminds me of breakfast cereal is basically just shit in a box from a few years ago.

Fizzy drinks are a perfectly reasonable treat as a small part of an otherwise healthy diet. Get a grip.

@Summersolargirl
My youngest be definitely goes nuts after certain foods.

And the mouthwash is just a good habit. You should try it.

And yes if they've stuffed their faces with all kinds of rubbish then I'll lay low on the biscuits and desserts at home to balance it out.

At 10 year old fizzy drinks were standard fare at the parties my children attended, and not just a few sips but a few glasses.

Yep sorry, it doesn't matter what sort of fizz you buy that kids would like, it's all bad, just chemicals and flavouring. Birthday parties for little kids are purgatory, just need to expect the worst, suck it up during the event and vow never to do it again afterwards

In what way?

One less child to invite next year- please tell the parent why.

If they have gone crazy because of the additives, then I have to suck it up because they had a good time and make them aware that it's contributed to some poor behaviour.

It’s a load of nonsense that a few additives have made their behaviour poor though. It is totally down to them, and you are giving them a get out of jail free card by blaming it on some fizzy drink.

My DC were allowed fizzy drinks at parties and funnily enough still managed to behave themselves.

Bottlegreen Sparkling Presse are great . The photo is the ingredients of the bramble flavour. Fever Tree sodas are fab too.