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Original poster

Parents "sneaking" pop into water bottles - opinions please?

334 replies

Bozza · 15/09/2005 10:47

DS has just started reception and they have a policy that all the children are allowed to take in a bottle of water which are kept on a tray and they are allowed to help themselves as and when. Think this sort of idea is becoming pretty common. So I went out and bought DS a nice new Star Wars bottle to take it in and he was quite happy.

However loads of the parents are complaining and saying their kids won't drink water. Some of them have started sending in flavoured water and ribena. One even sent diet coke. I'm a bit peeved about this because DS knows they are only allowed water but that some of the others are taking these things. I know its only a small thing but I do think it is giving the kids the message that its OK to undermine the teacher and I think that its the start of the discipline problems that afflict lots of schools - the sort of thing that HMB describes very eloquently. What do you think?

OP posts:
Jackstini · 15/09/2005 10:51

I would mention it to the school & get them to send another letter to parents saying only water allowed. If they know any other drink will be tipped away and re-filled with water they will soon stop.

tabitha · 15/09/2005 10:52

I agree with you. What these parents are doing is undermining the teacher and the school's authority and sending out completely the wrong message, both to their kids and to others in the class.
Children need water, they don't need diet coke.

staceym11 · 15/09/2005 10:53

Those parents are going to find it hard when their children decide that what they want is what they get and start acting up, probably at school and at home. this is giving them the clear sign to rule breaking is ok as long as nobody finds out. the parents are ultimately making life harder for themselves.

i also think that it is unfair on the other peoples children who do follow the rules, they'd probably quite like to drink coke during the lesson as well but beacause their parents see that rules are put in place for a reason and should be followed they feel like their missing out. i still wouldnt give your child anything but water or you would be sending out the wrong message to him, maybe you could mention to the teacher that you have heard a rumour, and they might check the bottles, this would show both your child and the others that rules have to be followed and they will always get found out!

(if that made any sense at all, sorry for the drivle!)

PrettyCandles · 15/09/2005 10:54

Absolutely agree. Totally wrong behaviour from teh parents. I wonder whether the school would be allowed to confiscate the pop, or even pour it out and replace with water.

One of the reasons my ds is getting school dinners and not pack lunch is because I hope that in a different environment he will learn to eat different things!

Windermere · 15/09/2005 10:55

What are these people like??? How can they expect their children to have any respect for authority when they are quite clearly undermining it. If they feel so strongly about it they should be complaining to the school rather than breaking the rules in this way. I would raise it with the school if I were you.

wartybosoms · 15/09/2005 10:55

I agree with you Bozza - totally!

daisy1999 · 15/09/2005 10:57

if the children see the parents breaking the rules then they'll have no respect for the rules themselves.

Gobbledigook · 15/09/2005 10:57

Oops, I've put water with a splash of fresh orange in ds's bottle (he's in reception too) - he doesn't like water to drink (and neither do I). Is it really that big a deal - how does anyone know what's in the cup - you can't see through it.

I hadn't really thought about it that hard - this is the drink he has with his lunch too. Maybe I should put a separate carton of juice in his lunchbox and tell him only water for classroom.

If someone complained to the teacher though I'd just think they were a right old busy body and a PIA.

RTKangaMummy · 15/09/2005 10:58

I am shocked that parents behave this way

I think you should mention it to the teacher or head

I agree this is why there is so much trouble with kids not showing respect for the rules

Twiglett · 15/09/2005 10:59

yes I think it should only be water and think the school should reinforce this and actually check what's in the bottles to begin with

luckily DS is issued with bottles by Southwark education and they are clear so everyone knows everyone has water

wartybosoms · 15/09/2005 11:00

and if they don't like wearing school uniform you can send them in jeans and t-shirt

and if they don't like Janet and John you send them in with Thomas the Tank

its no big deal eh?

maybe they should just do as they're asked for once?

unicorn · 15/09/2005 11:00

I think the issue really is about making sure children have enough fluid during the day.

Now, if a child won't drink water, then would you rather they had nothing at all - all day?

The school needs to be a little flexible here, of course fizzy drinks are out, but really what is so wrong with juice?

wartybosoms · 15/09/2005 11:01

If a child was thirsty enough they'd drink the water!

Twiglett · 15/09/2005 11:02

strongly disagree ... water is innocuous .. disliking it is learned as is liking it

a child will soon drink from a water fountain if thirsty and no option

the water is if they're thirsty

also constantly sipping juice (even diluted) really messes up the teeth and leads to cavities

Gobbledigook · 15/09/2005 11:02

Ha ha - just me then!

Better switch to water or I'll be seeing ds1 excluded before we know it - what with his disrespect for authority.

I don't think putting a splash of juice in the water is quite like thwarting uniform rules or running amock in the classroom!

I can see your point but I think you are all going a bit OTT. However, it will be water for ds1 tomorrow - don't want to get 'told off'

daisy1999 · 15/09/2005 11:03

if I child won't drink water then imo it's down to the parents pandering them. it's water, what's to dislike? If they're drinking juice all day then they'll have no teeth by year 3!

unicorn · 15/09/2005 11:03

but really,what is wrong with juice?

zippitippitoes · 15/09/2005 11:03

why not just have empty bottles and get them filled by a few bottle monitors

Gobbledigook · 15/09/2005 11:03

Hurrah for Unicorn!

Look girls - I don't drink water - it's gross - I drink fresh fruit juices and the ds's have it very watered down. Coke and ribena is quite another issue imo.

Socci · 15/09/2005 11:04

Message withdrawn

Marina · 15/09/2005 11:04

This is a no-brainer isn't it ladies. What is it with parents who won't respect school rules and then are the first to complain when "teachers can't control the kids". Argh. The school should come down hard on these thoughtless people Bozza.
And do people with Reception age children really give them Diet Coke
You are right to be cross Bozza.

wartybosoms · 15/09/2005 11:04

not to mention running amok with all those 'E's!

Gobbledigook · 15/09/2005 11:04

Pandering?!? Just cos they don't like water?? I bloody hate it too. It's not the Victorian era - kids don't have to like everything you put in front of them just cos you say so.

Gobbledigook · 15/09/2005 11:05

There are no Es in fresh juice and water

unicorn · 15/09/2005 11:05

hardly drinking it all day daisy - one beaker of drink does not amount to losing teeth.

calm down everyone... it's not a criminal offence to give your child fruit juice!

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