Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Original poster

Primary school insisting my child takes water not squash to school, despite there being a medical reason for it

789 replies

TheOriginalNutcracker · 04/07/2013 17:08

My ds is 10 and suffers from frequent migraines. He takes daily preventative meds for them, and we try hard to manage them by eliminating triggers.

Obviously, dehydration is a major trigger, and so I need to make sure he drink enough during the day. I send him to school with weak squash in his water bottle, as he is not overly keen on water, and so will not drink enough of it. I know this to be the case from seeing him drink at home.

School are kicking up an almighty fuss about it. I have spoken to them countless times explaining why he needs the squash, and have also written a letter insisting he be alowed it, abd again explained why.
Today he was pulled into the heads office because of the squash.

I went in after school and asked to see the head. I was told she could only speak to me for 2 minutes. She came out and right away knew why I was there. She just went on and on about many people not liking water and getting headaches, but that other kids would think it was ok for their child to bring in squash also.
She then said that my ds had promised earlier that day, to try and drink only water next week. So basically they got him to agree to this in a meeting with no parent present.

I explained again about his migraines, but she basically insisted and just said that ds had agreed now.

Is there anyting I can do about this ? I think their treatment of him and his condition is appaling. We have also had issues where they have made him wait for calpol when a headache starts.

OP posts:
Fairenuff · 04/07/2013 18:32

You provide the water and he decides whether or not to drink it. He faces the consequences of his choices. At his age it is important that he takes responsibility for his actions.

If he were 5 it would be different, but he is not. We all have to do things we don't like but we have to learn to just get on with it. A school education incorporates this kind of taking responsibility for yourself, not just educating children about numeracy and literacy.

It's part of growing up, thinking about consequences, making good choices.

Highlander · 04/07/2013 18:34

One of the reasons he won't drink water is because mum always caves in. The consequence of not drinking water is a painful migraine - he needs to learn that, and also learn that you won't come dashing to his rescue and remove him from school if that happens.

I suffer from migraines and they are hideous, so I completely get that as a mum you probably cannot bear to watch your son go through that misery.

but that doesn't stop him playing you to get what he wants........

Highlander · 04/07/2013 18:36

Does he have learning difficulties?

CaptainSweatPants · 04/07/2013 18:36

They actually sniff water bottles?!!

Who are these teachers who have time to do that?!!

Fairenuff · 04/07/2013 18:38

School have battled with me all the way, including making him wait over half an hour to recieve calpol

School staff are under no obligation to administer medicine of any kind. In our school, designated staff will administer medicine if it has been prescribed, such as antibiotics, but no-one gives calpol.

hollyisalovelyname · 04/07/2013 18:38

I'm with Panda. It's just water fgs. Not bat's urine. Get over it.

Original poster
TheOriginalNutcracker · 04/07/2013 18:38

Apparently not highlander, but he is behind his peers, achademically and socially.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheOriginalNutcracker · 04/07/2013 18:40

If that were the case with his calpol fairenuff then i'd have to give up my job, and ensure I was at home incase school rang for me to go an administer calpol. How ridiculius.

They have now agreed to do it, if it is prescribed by his doctor, but what is the point of having it there if they then make him wait for it ? A few minutes can make a difference between it turning into a full blown migraine or not.

OP posts:
notapizzaeater · 04/07/2013 18:42

We are really strict too. Could he not have a big glass of squash just before he goes in and a carton of juice at lunchtime and then a big drink when he gets home ? Then he could just sip a drop during the day.

Has he himself made the connection that no drink = migraine ? My ds - 10 (ASD) has a horrid cold at the moment it's stopping him sleeping so he snorts a nasal spray to sop it - he really really hates it but has realised it stops his nose from being blokes so the pain is worth the gain.

Does he like iced water ? Personally I hate warm water but can drink iced water all day ...

cocolepew · 04/07/2013 18:44

The school is being OTT, sniffing bottles?!

Weegiemum · 04/07/2013 18:45

Doctor letter! Phone GP first thing and ask to speak to someone urgently.

My ds suffers migraines (though not on preventatives) and drinks water (won't touch squash!) but if the school ever stopped the water, or made him do the things that are triggers for him (strobing, sugar) then I'd be in all guns blazing

cruxible · 04/07/2013 18:48

Next year he'll be in secondary school. I imagine there's not so much control freakery over what they drink then.

So much fuss from the school. Just let him have squash fgs.

kelda · 04/07/2013 18:48

I do understand the principle of getting a ten year old to take responsibility for his own water intake and following the rules.

BUT

The school actually SNIFF his water bottle? What a ridiculous fuss the school are making over a bit of squash. Some rules are just stupid.

twistyfeet · 04/07/2013 18:51

Could you home educate?
I suffer hideous migraines but I do think 10 is old enough to understand that water is needed. Squash will contain either sugar or aspartame, both of which have been linked to more frequent migraines. I'm also intrigued as to what preventative medication he is on. I was put on topomax and lost 30% of my body weight.

mrz · 04/07/2013 18:52

I'm surprised you haven't been advised to avoid squash as it is a common migraine trigger

SingingSands · 04/07/2013 18:52

Hi OP

Is it perhaps his water bottle that makes the water taste a bit funny, giving the impression he doesn't like it? Some bottles can taste a bit plastic or tinny. Would a really good quality bottle help? I suppose you could always add a sweetener to the water if you got really desperate, as long as he is diligent about teeth brushing it might help and you could gradually cut it out? Or would a slice of lemon be allowed?

DramaQueenofHighCs · 04/07/2013 18:53

Ok I'm on the fence here.

Why I can't really see why he can't have flavoured water (I'd have an issue with them 'sniffing' bottles as its surely a health and safety risk of germs.) so unless he tells them that's what he's got then I don't see how they'd find out.

OTOH I really don't see why he can't drink plain water and 'has' to have squash. He does it because you allow him to get away with it. If you stood by what the school says it would only take a couple of migranes for him to get the message and for him to start drinking plain water! I know this from personal experience as I suffer from hyperhydrosis and have to drink loads of water in summer or I get severely dehydrated. My school also had a 'plain water only' rule which my parents stuck with despite my protestations.
Yes migranes are horrid but there really is no medical reason why he has to have squash - just water. If he won't drink it then it's not the school's problem and I'd be dubious of any doctor who would willingly sign a note saying "He has to have squash because letting him have plain water only is cruel because he doesn't like it! :hmm: "

EuphemiaLennox · 04/07/2013 18:54

OP I know it would be much easier for you and him if they'd just let him have squash, and it's frustrating becuase it's so easy to do.

But they have a rule, they want to enforce it and your DS has no medical reason for avoiding that rule, except he doesn't like it.

So you have to help him get used to this. He needs to view his water as medicine which he needs to self administer at certain points in the day or hell become ill. You need to think of ways of monitoring, nagging, rewarding, punishning him until he starts to do this.( although you'd have thought bringing on a migraine would be punishment enough to motivate him.)

It's independence which will stand him in good stead.

I have to say your comment about him being made to agree to drink water without a parent present did ring overprotective alarm bells. 'Child agrees to try to drink water' is hardly shocking, children agree to do things in school constantly without thier parents present.

Why do you think the school refuse to take this seriously? Making him wait for calpol etc? Have they seen him have a migraine attack or have they just labelled you as a fuss pot who's exggarating and mollycoddling?

ravenAK · 04/07/2013 18:59

Um, speaking as a secondary school teacher, we are completely control freaky about drinks other than plain water in the classroom...mostly because of sticky spills tbh.

I'd just get him to have a good drink of squash/milk/juice before school, take another drink for lunchtime, & support school in encouraging him to drink from his water bottle in between. Can he have a drink at break time?

DramaQueenofHighCs · 04/07/2013 18:59

FWIW it will be plain water only for GCSE exams and will have to be in a clear bottle so he will have to get used to it at some point. The exam boards won't make concessions for 'not liking water' no matter what the medical reasons - trust me!

frogwatcher42 · 04/07/2013 18:59

Surely water is better for migraines than squash anyway - I am sure I read somewhere that most makes of squash can trigger headaches so it may contribute to his migraines anyway.

I am of the opinion that you give him loads to drink on way to school and after school, but he takes water to school. A rule is a rule and it is up to you to encourage him to work with them.

Its only water - my dd has to take some really horrible medicine frequently at the moment (and will for a long while). It is so horrid it makes her gag but at 9 she knows she has to do it. Surely its the same principle or if it was medicine would he also refuse. Effectively the water is his medicine so he has to take it.

frogwatcher42 · 04/07/2013 19:01

singing sands - excellent suggestions. Op - why not add a slice of lemon - it will taste completely different and the school would probably allow that.

Problem solved.

EduCated · 04/07/2013 19:06

As someone who detests drinking water, I can sympathise with your DS. I'd second the slice of lemon/lime suggestion, or even orange. Give it a bit of a squeeze first Wink

EduCated · 04/07/2013 19:07

Also the suggestion of adding ice and making sure it's not a bottle with a really plasticky taste.

HerRoyalNotness · 04/07/2013 19:09

I find water disgusting to drink, tastes like chlorine to me. I get it down a lot easier with fresh lemon squeezed into it. Maybe try him with this at home to get him used to the taste, surely they can't complain about a squeeze of lemon.

Swipe left for the next trending thread