To think most parents don’t do this

[Skyismylimit]

Out with my DD and my friend and her DD today. My friend froze her DD’s water bottle so it will last most of the day. When she asked why I didn’t freeze my DD’s I just said “I didn’t think of that” and then my friend went on to say “most parents freeze their DC’s water bottles in this weather. AIBU to think most parents don’t do this?

I don’t think it’s something that most people do. But I do take my DDs out with one non-frozen and one frozen in this weather, so they’ve got one that stays cold.

Does the frozen one last long? Can’t last all day in this heat surely

No it’s not something I’ve considered, and whenever someone trots out “oh most parents do this” I can guarantee it isn’t a line that’s designed to make you feel good

I don’t but I do add as many ice cubes that will fit in it to keep it cooler for longer

I’ve never frozen a bottle in my life.

When I was in primary, pretty much everyone was went with a frozen water bottle, plus a normal one to drink right away.

This.

And actually on the rare occasion I have froze a water bottle I inevitably leave it too long so it's literally an ice cube, can't be drunk until its defrosted and have to then buy a bloody bottle. Thus defeating the object

I think it's a good idea. The water won't stay frozen in this heat, but it will keep it cool.

No I wouldn’t think of this, though it’s a good idea I might start!

Yes, on hot days we freeze our daughters water bottle, and so do most of her friends (secondary). Very common here. Put it in the freezer the night before and on a normal hot day, you'll have some ice throughout the whole day, especially if you use a metal water bottle. My children do it themselves and have done so for years.

I used to freeze the Capri suns to keep the lunch box cool, they take about 3 hours to thaw which fitted perfectly for school lunches. I would say many parents freeze bottles not most. We switched insulated bottles years ago

I sent my son to school with half frozen half liquid during the July heatwave.

Yes, most packed lunches in the summer contain frozen drinks and yogurt pouches too, defrosted but still cool by lunchtime. We don’t freeze a whole bottle, just half and then fill it up when we want it. Easier than trying to post ice cubes through the narrow neck.

I don't freeze bottles. If I remember I put the bottles of water in the fridge the night before and add ice in the morning.

Apparently it's better to freeze half the bottle of water and then add cold in morning so that there is some water in there to drink straight away.

As far as I am aware the ONS does not keep statistics on frozen water bottles for your children so it seems unlikely that your friend’s declaration is an informed one.

What a weird thing to say to someone else though.

we do freeze water bottles because we all like them frozen.

When I was in primary school everyone took in frozen water bottles.

I do and my mum did for me

Never done this.

But maybe fill it 1/2-3/4 way up and freeze.

The next day fill the rest with water. So they've got water to drink straight away and the rest thaws over the day

I freeze bottles of water to keep the lunch cool, and then we can drink cold water too.

Even in this weather it stays frozen for ages.

Yep, always done that. It’s just practical.

We have insulated bottles and fill them with chilled water and they're still cool by the end of the day.

We also stick frozen frubes in packed lunches to keep them cool.

I'm a primary teacher.

Lots of people do this for their children. maybe 1/3 to 1/2 of my class. Not 'most' though.

It's a good idea to keep the water cool but it does make a mess of their bags, desks and work with the condensation on the outside (it's school policy to keep the bottles on their desk).

Definitely a good idea to freeze one and have another not frozen, or to freeze half and top it up with 'drinkable right away' water.

Your friend sounds a bit unpleasant and know it all though.

I put a frozen bottle in the school lunches, keeps the contents cool until lunchtime and is sufficiently defrosted for the grandchildren to have a cold drink for the afternoon session to replace the morning bottle.
Seems to work ok, I have absolutely no idea what any other lunch facilitator does with their kids bottles.

We don't. But we use insulated metal bottles and I put two of these reusable ice sticks in each. The water stays ice cold.