AIBU to put out sweets for children at a summer party?

[Lotusina]

I’m hosting a summer party soon and although the majority of guests will be late teens and adults, there are a few under10s attending too.

Food will be provided, but it’s a light summer buffet rather than bbq or sit down meal. There will be cupcakes and squash.

I want to make it as festive as possible for everyone, and I’m wondering whether to provide some little dishes of sweets for the kids.

As a parent, would this sit well with you or would it be annoying as hell?

I have no idea what sweets kids like these days, but was thinking of something like the natural confectionery co - would appreciate thoughts on that, or other suggestions.

YABU - don’t do it, their parents will hate you

YANBU - do it, it’s a party FFS

people who are talking about the sugar makes kids hyper thing do know its been disproven around eleventy million times? There are very good reasons to limit how much sugary stuff kids have but making them hyper is not one of them.

Actually, studies have shown that sugar doesn't make kids hyper. It's an old wives' tale

Oh no, now I’m an old wife!!

I’m of the it’s a party have a treat thinking. Also the hyped up on sugar is a myth.

Call me a party pooper, but I wouldn’t love this. It would make the whole party an exercise in making sure my 3 year old didn’t just stuff herself with sweets.

Some sweets, fine. Large amounts easily accessible, not so great.

That's parenting for you.

No reason why those who have eventually managed to crack it should miss out 🤷‍♂️

They'll have gone through this stage and come out the other side, and you will too one day! 🤣

Just make sure they're chewy sweets and things that aren't a choking hazard as small children will probably try to carry on running around!

I think if it was me I would put some age appropriate wrapped sweets in a bowl and invite the children to have a dip as they go home. Then if parents don’t want them to have them immediately, they can be saved for later.

Most don't even have sugar.
They're full of artificial sweeteners.

Another coming to say, it's a lovely idea and I see where you are coming from, but my dc are given sweets constantly and I hate it!

Not just at parties - at school; at dance class; at sports class; at swimming; at church; at grandparents (at least I can address that one) - it's just endless. I feel terrible guilt every time the dentist asks about their diets.

If there's cake, then that will take plenty of parenting skills to manage anyway without the stress of also having sweets in the mix.

It’s a party - go for it. Crisps as well.

What style of "thong" do you wear @ThisWiseRobin and we can advise if yours is still stylish!😂

I'm with you here I think. I don't stop mine having sweets, but I'd rather someone checked with me and also would prefer they were not out with all the healthy food. Might be fun if you added them after they had eaten op?

But popcorn is liked by most dc, and I think if you have cupcakes that's probably sufficient to make it quite exciting? I find sometimes being restrained with treats makes children appreciate them all the more. My grandmother had a friend with a big box of wooden blocks for us to play with as children and we used to be so excited waiting for her to say "would you like to get the blocks out?"

It annoyed my mum intensely as we had them at home and they weren't always played with. Embarrassment of riches ...

Absolutely

I actually prefer sugar to sweeteners.

Or some cucumber sticks? Or maybe just some little cups of water. Poor bloody kids. Put out some sweets and monster munch ffs.

That’s what I was just about to say! It’s not crack OP is offering them (though you’d think it was), it’s an occasional treat.

Yes sometimes all the artificial stuff isn't that great 🙁

Oh I love a sweetie table at a party! I see plenty of adults going up for seconds too! I'd probably fill a few jars with different sweets like foam bananas, big strawberries, haribo, cables and lollies and then perhaps some of the multipack chocolate buttons that come in the little individual bags. I'd also put out some small tongs so people can help themselves. If that's a bit OTT I'd buy some of the multipack Haribos and chocolates and put them into a few baskets.

i wouldn’t see an issue with it at all, I’d actually think it was a nice touch to think of the younger ones x

To attract even more wasps? Yes why not.

I think YABU to get sweets just for the kids.

I bloody love those natural confectionery co worms and Percy pigs 😂

I always just get scared of choking - I'd probably put out little bags towards the end maybe
An adult is usually required to open the little bags so slightly more supervision

Ice cream station is good as an alternative. Have squirty cream, a couple of different syrups like golden and strawberry, a couple of different sprinkles, marshmallows, smarties etc in different bowls. Serve up ice cream in little paper bowls and they can put what they like on top. It keeps them entertained for quite a while top

As parent of a 6yo - I’d thank you so much for not putting out sweets just on a buffet table. From experience, the problem is not so much the energy the kids get (though this is also a factor), its that it’s very hard for them to have the self control to eat anything else when sweets are sitting right in front of them. Then they have awful behaviour as they had a massive sugar high then it wears off. Totally give them something individual, but in an age appropriate quantity. Also you might think of non-food fun things, if they are up to 6 or so, other things like bubbles or sidewalk chalk are fun outdoor options that they can enjoy at a party.

Really depends on the age range of the children imo.