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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>May I Ask Another Question For All You DC Providers?
mrsp'slilpeeps 02:39 PM 04-02-2012
Why do some of you only serve water?

Im just curious!

I find that I am dumping alot of juice and milk at the end of the day.

I just want your thoughts and what do your parents think about it.

Pretty Please!!
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sharlan 02:44 PM 04-02-2012
I rarely give water as I personally can't stand it.

Give the kids smaller amounts at a time.
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Country Kids 02:44 PM 04-02-2012
I'm only allowed to serve water at snack. I never serve juice but know if I did it would be sucked down. At lunch today threw away SIX cups of milk- but have to serve it.

I more then usual will throw lots of water away also. It seems like kids only want sweet, sweet, sweet to drink.

I don't think my parents care either way what I'm serving.

So for I guess I would answer that I serve it to try and get them to learn to drink water and I don't feel as bad throwing it away.
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Soupyszoo 02:44 PM 04-02-2012
I serve mostly water and a little juice. I stopped milk because of all the waste. That's the only reason. Water is good for us! So is milk IMO but they just wasted too much.
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JenNJ 02:58 PM 04-02-2012
I serve water throughout the day. I ask at lunch if they want milk or water. Most want water. Those who do want milk get a few ounces at once (3ish). If they want more, I pour more. If not, I refrigerate it for snack later.
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spud912 03:02 PM 04-02-2012
All of my kids love milk and so I serve it during meals. Otherwise, they drink water. I think it's extremely important for children to become accustomed to the "taste" of water early on since it's what everyone should really be drinking (not juice, milk or soda). Juice is full of empty calories and really serves no nutritional purpose. In addition, it gets costly because children drink copious amounts (it tastes like sugar water!). IMO, milk should be phased out at some point in childhood due to the prevalent lactose intolerance as an adult (not saying it should never be consumed, just not regularly). Plus, we consume plenty of dairy products in our diet without the need to add milk.
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Country Kids 03:05 PM 04-02-2012
If you are on the food program don't you have to serve milk at meals? I know we have to serve milk at meal times but not snack.
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SunshineMama 03:08 PM 04-02-2012
Originally Posted by mrsp'slilpeeps:
Why do some of you only serve water?

Im just curious!

I find that I am dumping alot of juice and milk at the end of the day.

I just want your thoughts and what do your parents think about it.

Pretty Please!!
I serve water because:

1. Because I wasted a lot of juice and milk

2. Juice has too much sugar and I don't think milk is that great for you either

3. Water is cheaper

I do have parents bring jugs of milk for their kids if they want them to drink it all day. Otherwise, they are getting water. It's not going to kill them- it's water. It's what 99% of the world's population, and our ancestors, have drank throughout the ages. They'll live.
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Breezy 03:18 PM 04-02-2012
I serve water because we are in the desert and its sooooooo dry here. I need to make sure everyone is super hydrated
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Heidi 03:42 PM 04-02-2012
We have to have water available at all times, although it doesn't have to be self-serve. My older kids all know where the cups are, and we have water in the fridge. The toddlers usually indicate they want water when they see and older child get it. Last Friday, they had a blast trying to learn how to drink from the hose when they saw one of the older kids doing it. Pretty funny.

I rarely dump out milk, because the food program does NOT require you give them a full serving of milk (or anything) at a meal, rather that you have enough available for a full serving. Unless your food program interprets the rules differently, which seems to be the case sometimes.

I pour a little in each cup, and have plenty available for refills. I have a little pitcher on the table so that the older ones can self serve, and the toddlers can with assistance.
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Hunni Bee 03:42 PM 04-02-2012
I do water and milk interchangeably...my dcks dont really care. I only give them 4 oz at a time, if they want more, they ask.
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MarinaVanessa 03:54 PM 04-02-2012
I serve milk whether or not they drink or not because it's healthy. Drinking some milk is better no milk in my opinion. As for the juice, I don't serve it because even if it's 100% juice there's still tons of sugar in it. Why serve juice if I can serve fresh fruit instead KWIM?

None of my DC kids ever start off as good water drinkers but water is good for them and after at least offering it to them and having it available at all times they now all love to drink water. Some prefer it over milk so I serve them both and they can choose to drink the milk or not.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 04:41 PM 04-02-2012
I am required, by law, to serve milk (3/4 cup). I can serve two foods (from certain categories) during snack, or I can serve one food and milk.
It always has to be milk and water.

My parents are glad I serve skim milk. They would like for their children to be drinking milk, but many say that while at home their children do not.
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snbauser 05:41 PM 04-02-2012
Originally Posted by bbo:
I rarely dump out milk, because the food program does NOT require you give them a full serving of milk (or anything) at a meal, rather that you have enough available for a full serving. Unless your food program interprets the rules differently, which seems to be the case sometimes.
Ours interprets it as we have to serve the full serving size.

I serve milk at breakfast and lunch and juice at snack. When I server milk, I give them the required amount. Most of them drink all of it and ask for more. For refills I only give them about 2 or 3 oz at a time. When I serve juice at snack I serve only the required 4oz. After that, they get water. I don't usually dump out much milk or juice. The kids also all have their own water bottles that they have access to throughout the day. They don't typically drink them except when we are outside. Then they all usually drink a lot of water.
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Ariana 06:52 PM 04-02-2012
I serve water because it's sugar free, replenishes fluid lost and is so good for your body. I also serve juice but only one serving cut with water. I don't serve milk because dairy is over served in most households.
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Meeko 08:02 PM 04-02-2012
The food program here requires that we serve milk with both breakfast and lunch. We can serve juice at snack times. I serve one serving of juice or milk and then as much water as they want.


Note: Can't help but wonder how fast I would fill spots if I served Twinkies and Mountain Dew......seems to be a regular diet for many.
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familyschoolcare 08:34 PM 04-02-2012
I serve watter because it is good for you. I offer water all day. Water is good for you.

I did this even before the food program said we needed to. I also, choose to offer only water at snack even before I was on the food program. Water is good for you.

Did I mention water is good for you.
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MrsB 06:41 AM 04-03-2012
I have a water cooler so the kids have access to water all day.

Breakfast - I give the option of Milk or Water
Lunch - I give the option of Milk or water
Snack - 1 dixie cup of juice and then water if they are still thirsty. Or water if they dont want juice, but that doesnt happened very often.

I also dont serve drinks until about 5-10 minutes after I have served meals. Then they are consuming more food and not filling up on liquids.

On occasion I will have a child that doesnt drink much here though and a parent will call me and say that they are just so thirsty and drink a ton when they get home.

I ask them what they give them. Usually juice. Some kids will hold out until they get home cause mom/dad let them have as much juice as they want. Then they wonder why their teeth rott out of their head. (That and fruit snacks)
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Blackcat31 06:49 AM 04-03-2012
I serve milk for all meals and snacks. Water is served in-between. Sometimes I serve water at snack time depending on what the snack is.

I am surprised at how many of you have kids who waste milk. In all my years as a child care provider I have never come across a child who wasted or disliked milk. I have had one child who had some milk tolerance issues and had to have soy or almond milk (per Dr's orders) but never had a kid who wasted/disliked milk. Hmmmm.

I NEVER offer juice as I personally do not see any nutritional benefit to it. So here, it is water and/or milk.

ALL my kids love both milk AND water.
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countrymom 06:52 AM 04-03-2012
I have water available all day lol! some times I serve it and sometimes I don't. I also serve juice and omgosh in the summer I serve kool aide (mostly my older children and my children) the kids get half a cup of juice and after that they get water if they want more. I just don't serve milk because I was dumping it like crazy, the only children who get milk are my babies but everyone else its other stuff.
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CheekyChick 07:04 AM 04-03-2012
Most of my parents would prefer their children eat fresh fruit, then guzzle down juice that will only hurt their teeth.
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momma2girls 07:44 AM 04-03-2012
I give water at pm snacktime, 100% juice at the other snack, and milk at dinnertime. If they still have milk left over from dinner, I give it to them at pm snack, instead of water.
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SimpleMom 09:10 AM 04-03-2012
I serve milk, but mostly because of the Food Program. I can't afford Organic Milk or I would love serving it. Personally, I think the other milks are really bad for the arteries. Calcium is consumed in much better ways (imho). So, with that said (lol) I serve milk at lunch and breakfast, water with snacks and inbetween times. Snacks are served with lots and lots of good nutrition.

I think water is really good for a person. I rarely serve juice, too much sugar and there is enough of that in kid's food in general.
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KDC 09:19 AM 04-03-2012
I am NOT on the food program. I serve milk for breakfast, and watered down juice for lunch & ice water the remainder of the day. The parents never have an issue - I go through 4 gallons of milk per week and have no more room to store it and no time to go to the store during the week. It's expensive and I hate that I have to throw so much of it out for those that don't drink it.

I believe there are a LOT of ways to get calcium and not just from cows milk. I'm not worried about the nutrition factor. I know many kids that drink nothing but milk and have an iron deficiency because they fill up on it and do not eat enough iron fortified foods.

Water is good for your body, and it's inexpensive -- so it's a win win! If parents want something else, maybe they could provide it? I wouldn't even mention it to the parents, they'll thank you when their kids prefers a bottle of water to a sugary drink, and for trips to the dentist when they get a clean bill of health =)
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My3cents 09:29 AM 04-03-2012
I serve milk three days out of five and juice two out of five. I water my juice down. 1/2 and 1/2. I also serve water. I fill the milk cups and then if they don't drink it all put the rest in fridge for lunch. At the end of the day if they have not finished it, I dump it. I was wasting a lot and this method has helped me cut down on the waste.

Blackcat- I would have been the one kid that you had that didn't like milk and refused to drink it. Lactose intolerant but didn't figure that out until I was an adult. I just never liked milk. I do have a little in my coffee but I never drink a cup of milk. I do milkshakes, but pay the price for that after- I would throw up my milk, or spit it up- as a baby. Go figure- They just did not know back then what they do today.

My food program lady- gave me a pamphlet that said whole milk contains one full stick of butter in it. YIKES With summer and warmer weather on its way I plan to give my kiddo's more water.
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mema 10:58 AM 04-03-2012
I have to serve milk at breakfast and lunch. I start them off with about 2 ounces. If they drink it, they can request more or they can have water. At snack we have water. Occasionally we will have juice. Mostly in smoothie form tho. These kids get waaaaay too much juice at home. Drinking milk or not doesn't bother me one way or another. They eat enough yogurt, cheese, etc.

We take our water bottles when we head outside in the spring, summer and fall. They make trips to the park with us and we have water breaks often. Especially lately when it's been close to 70 and sunny and the parents are sending them in pants with sweatshirts. Every day they go home saying how hot they were when playing and how they want short sleeves, and everyday they come with long. I have a few that refused water for a while. We had just been using cups, even at the park, I would just bring 1 big water bottle, but now I bought everyone their own "cool" water bottle and they drink it right up
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wdmmom 11:09 AM 04-03-2012
Are you permitted to flavor the milk? I've found just adding a very small amount of strawberry or chocolate syrup will do wonders. Same with vanilla.

I serve milk with every breakfast.

I serve milk with every lunch. (Wednesdays are strawberry milk days.)

I serve water with snacks. (Juice watered down once per week.)


I also allow them water anytime they ask and serve it every time we get back from playing outside.
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JennyBear 11:13 AM 04-03-2012
I serve milk for breakfast and Lunch in small portions. If they finish they get more, if not I offer water instead.

For snacks and outside time each child get's water. I discovered the children i care for are getting a ton of juice at home so pretty much stopped service my watered down juice here (Now I serve it as a treat sometimes).
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renodeb 09:47 AM 04-04-2012
Yes if your on the food program you have to serve milk with meals and then you can serve water with snack. My kids actually wolf there milk down so I dont have that much waste. I usually just give water with snack. I have found that even with the non water drinkers, if you serve it enough times they will start drinking it.
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Blackcat31 10:46 AM 04-04-2012
Originally Posted by My3cents:
I serve milk three days out of five and juice two out of five. I water my juice down. 1/2 and 1/2. I also serve water. I fill the milk cups and then if they don't drink it all put the rest in fridge for lunch. At the end of the day if they have not finished it, I dump it. I was wasting a lot and this method has helped me cut down on the waste.

Blackcat- I would have been the one kid that you had that didn't like milk and refused to drink it. Lactose intolerant but didn't figure that out until I was an adult. I just never liked milk. I do have a little in my coffee but I never drink a cup of milk. I do milkshakes, but pay the price for that after- I would throw up my milk, or spit it up- as a baby. Go figure- They just did not know back then what they do today.
My food program lady- gave me a pamphlet that said whole milk contains one full stick of butter in it. YIKES With summer and warmer weather on its way I plan to give my kiddo's more water.
If you had thrown up the milk I gave you I would definitely have tried to find an alternative or some sort of solution for you. ....and for me, as I will avoid throw up at ALL costs.

My DH is the same way. Back when he was a baby, they knew nothing about lactose or any type of milk tolerance issues. He suffered through it and to this day drinks no milk. He does yogurt and cheeses but they don't seem to upset his digestive system the way milk does.
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jojosmommy 10:52 AM 04-04-2012
Originally Posted by bbo:
We have to have water available at all times, although it doesn't have to be self-serve. My older kids all know where the cups are, and we have water in the fridge. The toddlers usually indicate they want water when they see and older child get it. Last Friday, they had a blast trying to learn how to drink from the hose when they saw one of the older kids doing it. Pretty funny.

I rarely dump out milk, because the food program does NOT require you give them a full serving of milk (or anything) at a meal, rather that you have enough available for a full serving. Unless your food program interprets the rules differently, which seems to be the case sometimes.

I pour a little in each cup, and have plenty available for refills. I have a little pitcher on the table so that the older ones can self serve, and the toddlers can with assistance.
My thoughts exactly!
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Country Kids 11:03 AM 04-04-2012
I have many that really don't drink anything all day long. Today I have one been here since 6:30 and hasn't drank anything-milk or water. I don't serve juice so that is their choice not to drink.
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dEHmom 11:04 AM 04-04-2012
I just find that kids often don't get enough water. Since I battle kidney stones, I like to make sure kids are getting enough fluid.

I offer a milk program, where kids get 5oz servings of milk. It is $20.00 for 60 servings. I have a sheet with 60 boxes and the child's name. Each time they have a serving I put a dot in that space. Somedays they have all 3 servings, other days they may have none.

Some of the kids, come with juiceboxes and koolaid jammers daily. OR 1 juicebox for the whole day. I don't serve these, if I do I water it down to approx 1/4 juice or 1/3 juice depending on what type of juice it is. For some kids who won't drink water, as long as they can see color in their cup, they are happy.
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Christian Mother 12:04 PM 04-04-2012
I have one parent who doesn't want their child drinking milk at all. When the little guy arrives he has a sippy cup full of juice and then I give him gatarade and water through out the day. The gatarade helps hydrate them bc we are in a dry hot state. I only give juice for constipation. My kids are just under 3yrs so they aren't normally constipated but if they are I add apple juice with water in it to help move the system. Mostly we drink water or water and gatarade here.
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