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

[TheOriginalNutcracker]

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.

Would he drink fizzy water or water laced with ice cubes and a slice of lemon? I think the reusable plastic bottles taint the water tbh so maybe try buying individual bottles of mineral water instead.

ds2 won't drink plain water, even if he's very thirsty (ds1 and dd will happily drink it, so, amazing, it turns out to be a matter of preference rather than parenting).

i can understand the teachers not wanting spillages of sticky squash in the classroom, (although imagine that 10 year olds don't spill their drinks quite so much as 5 year olds?) but presume he could have a drink outside at lunchtime/playtime, in which case, just put it into one of those blue plastic drinks bottles which won't make it obvious.

I missed he was 10 as well..

Like I said I would take summer to teach him to drink water.

However I would also when he does get a migraine ensure to tell him " this is partially because you did not drink enough water" it will seem mean to begin with but it is for his own good.

I agree with sending in water with lemon in it.. good idea.

I use those mineral water bottles and refill them with tap water. I don't like the plastic smell/taste of drinking bottles.

He is on Pizotifen for his migraines.

I have tried a lot of bottles as they tend to break easily, but if anyone can reccomend another one then i'll happily try it, although he won;t drink water from a glass either so not sure it'll work.

I will try the lemon thing too.

I think it is a shame that the school are ficusing on, and putting so much effort into this, when there are way more important things to be focusing on.

What's causing his headaches ? I have to say I agree with the school - one rule for all etc & drinking squash, weak or not, isn't good for teeth.

So much fuss over a centimetre of orange squash.

I detest water, can't stand it so have every sympathy with your son. I could easily drink gallons of weak squash, can't drink a drop of plain water.

How about all the other 10 year olds get told tough titty when they ask for squash? Or let them have it ffs. Problem solved.

DD2 would make herself ill rather than drink water.

Or HT suggested water only for a couple of weeks the parents just ignored him and he 'forgot'

If they are really stupid just provide two bottles on for testing and one for drinking.

No cause has been found for his headaches. He has triggers, which are dehydration, over excitement, stress, too much screen time.

We have never found any food (or drink) triggers.

Oh and he has his eyes tested regularly and it's not that either.

I have tried freezing his water yes, but he still left most of it.

Oh and his teeth by the way are fine, no problems at all.

I know Nutcraker I hate rules are rules are rules mentality, when with a bit of flexibility and a dollop of common sense so many 'problems' could be overcome.

But when your kids are at a school you have to suck it up or move them. Sometimes it's just easier to stick to the rule than fight it even if inwardly seething about how unnecessary they're being.

I'm often a rule breaker if I think the rules pointless, but with kids and schools you have to grin and bare it.

sorry totally agree with the school.

I'd love to move him, but it's not an option unfortunatly.

Gwendoline you seriously can't drink a drop of plain water? What, does it make you throw up, or what? I have never, ever heard of that before. Is it an allergy?

My ds got migraines from orange colouring in food and drink

I can understand water only in a classroom where it may spill on books etc, would they let him have squash/flavoured water in the medical room at break and lunch?

Op, I think from your attitude and the way you speak of your son's experience of school that you should take him out of this one and find him another. It shouldn't be such a battle for either of you. I suggest you go and visit some other schools and ask them about their policy and find another that suits. I think you're going to meet a stalemate with this one.,

Sorry- crossed post, hasn't read other suggestions to move and your responses when I posted.

We have never found any food (or drink) triggers

But how do you know that the squash isn't triggering the migraines if you have never cut it out of his diet? Surely that would be one thing that you could rule out quite easily if you wanted to

Would they be able to tell if it's colourless flavoured water? Admittedly I have a poor sense of smell, but I've never noticed those lemon and lime flavoured water drinks to smell.

Hmm. No water refusers on a desert island, I suspect!

Where is this school in which teachers have time to sniff drinks bottles and don't need to correct work? I'm off there sounds more chilled than any school i've worked at!
As for your son, he needs to get on with it and get over water. It's no big deal!

The other children will be able to sniff squash and flavoured water at 100 yards! Have you never asked who a jumper belongs to, only for a child to sniff it and say with complete certainty, "It's Johnny's, Miss" And they're right

Your son is 10.
He has agreed with the school that he will drink water.

That should be the end of it really.

I agree that you are well within your rights to go in and complain and insist on the squash but if I am honest I think you need to teach your son that, like it or not, he has to have water in school.

I know he doesn't like it, but I think at 10 he needs to understand and take some (not all) responsibility for maintaining his own health.

I expect that from my children and they are only 3 and 4 years old

They both have medical problems that mean they have to do things on a daily basis that they don't like.

My youngest has to have her inhalers each day, she finds the face mask very distressing and cries but knows she has to have it and that is that. Ditto if she has to go on the nebuliser in hospital. She understands she needs them and complies with having them even though she finds it scary, she only turned 3 last month.

My eldest has to take her meds everywhere she goes, even to the corner shop, she is 4 and it is her responsibility to take her meds bag with her (of course, I keep a watchful eye and give lots of praise, it is all still new to us). She has tests at the hospital frequently and screams in pain when she has needles, but she knows she has to if she is going to stay well.

It sucks for children with medical problems (and I thank God that ours are relatively mild issues), but I think that they need to learn to take some responsibility for their own welfare. Obviously with lots of love, cuddles and guidance from us.

I personally think, and I'm sure you'll disagree, that you are doing your son no favours in the long run.