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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:
ghosty · 15/09/2005 11:15

I agree ... school rules are school rules ... full stop.
We are told at our school that it is water and water only and no one seems to question it.

Am a bit surprised that people don't like water ... it doesn't taste of anything ....

colditz · 15/09/2005 11:15

there would be uproar if children were being made to eat food they didn't like, with no choice in the matter.

Ie, carrots are good for you, you will eat them for your lunch or go hungry.

Socci · 15/09/2005 11:15

Message withdrawn

puddle · 15/09/2005 11:16

GDG - maybe you're a super-taster! (Tap) water all tastes the same to me - of not very much.

Original poster
Bozza · 15/09/2005 11:16

Actually they have milk at break time with fruit they take in from home in the morning (and govt fruit in the afternoon). Now the parents on the fruit is a whole other saga... DS does not drink milk at home but does at school (thats why I decided to pay for it).

OP posts:
Gobbledigook · 15/09/2005 11:16

LOL Marina!! Honestly - ours tastes like dirt - it's vile!

Socci · 15/09/2005 11:17

Message withdrawn

scotlou · 15/09/2005 11:17

Surely you could send juice for break and lunch - and the bottles could get filled with water at school? At ds's school the bottles are supplied, filled and cleaned by the school.

Gobbledigook · 15/09/2005 11:19

ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, CALM DOWN!!!

It's water tomorrow for ds1.

I consider myself told

Actually thinking about it, I'm not sure what the 'rule' is - not sure if it is just water - will have to check prospectus!!

Chandra · 15/09/2005 11:19

If I were a teacher, working with young children, who are allowed to have a drink in the middle of a class... I will opt for water, far easier to clean up, no sticky tables at the end of the class, etc. Another benefit ot being healthier...

Original poster
Bozza · 15/09/2005 11:20

gdg if I thought our tap water was so bad I would fill DS's bottle up from the 18p 2 litre bottles of mineral water DH insists on drinking. But I drink it and use it for DS's watered down juice so I'm happy to use it for DS's bottle.

OP posts:
Twiglett · 15/09/2005 11:20

you sounded like my mum socci ... that's one of her sayings 'ach we used to put baby rice in your bottles of formula at 6 weeks and it didn't do any of you any harm'

Prettybird · 15/09/2005 11:20

Glasgow shcool kids get given a wee water bottle. It is kept at school and they are encouraged to drink water during the day.

We give him a wee carton of fruit juice (with either raisins or a wee chocolate brioche) for his break time snack (he's not in full days yet) - althugh on a Friday I let him have a fruit shoot as a treat.

beatie · 15/09/2005 11:21

Wasn't this water bottle in schools idea started because it was proven that children concentrate better when they have access to drink water all day long? Perhaps the same would be achieved with diluted juice??

But, I imagine it was initially a bit of a pain letting small children have access to drinks all day long but at least water doesn't stain, isn't sticky etc... if it is spilt.

I think parents should be grateful that schools do allow all day access to water. If children don't like water then they either miss out or learn to like it through peer pressure but schools shouldn't have to pander to every child's little whim and end up undermining the intitial reason for them being allowed water in the first place.

Mum2girls · 15/09/2005 11:23

I think the real issue here is less to do with water vs other drinks and more to do with the fact that parents seem unable or unwilling to follow a simple school rule. The children are witnessing that and so are the school staff.

FGS, if the parents can't follow a simple direction, what hope is there for the kids?

Twiglett · 15/09/2005 11:23

arrghhh Unicorn .. no

arguing with school over flashy shoes and saying its a safety issue .. that's laughable

school shoes should be school shoes, flashy trainers are a fashion icon

if you want her to be safe in the dark give her reflector strips

Gobbledigook · 15/09/2005 11:23

Prettybird - FRUIT SHOOT???? May God strike you down

tabitha · 15/09/2005 11:23

Kids here (Falkirk) get given a water bottle as well.
Unfortunately ds has ruined his by chewing the spout and it leaks

amynnixmum · 15/09/2005 11:23

Our school gives its reasons for the water only policy. Its because children regularly tip bottles over and even the ones with the sports lids can leak. Anything other than water can spoil books and work etc.

Also there is evidence to suggest that water is the best thing for keeping children hydrated whilst at school. They introduced drinking in class as eveidence has shown that keeping hydrated helps children stay alert and focused. Other drinks, including fruit juices, have a sugar content and this is not just bad for their teeth but also effects their energy levels which can lead to them finding it harder to sit still and concentrate.

daisy1999 · 15/09/2005 11:24

"fruit shoot" is the devils drink

unicorn · 15/09/2005 11:25

well why are they endorsed by the gren x code etc...
and what is wrong with them?

(another thread I think)

To accept blindly rules 'because they are rules' is laughable too I would suggest.

beatie · 15/09/2005 11:25

I'm sure it won't take long for the teachers/TAs to realise that some of the bottles have been filled with something other than water. They'll either send a letter home or insist on clear bottles or else fill them up themselves.

Prettybird · 15/09/2005 11:25

... I know I'm a bad parent! I give him a mini Mars Bar (or rather, the Lidl look alike) on a Friday too!

Socci · 15/09/2005 11:27

Message withdrawn

Lonelymum · 15/09/2005 11:27

In my kids school, the bottle has to be clear plastic, presumbaly so they can insure only water is being drunk. I don't think insisting on water only is the same as forcing a child to eat food they don't like. Firstly, no child has to drink anything at all if they don't want to, and secondly, no-one can really say they can't drink water. Even if the tap water tastes disgusting, you could buy a filter or some mineral water.

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