No, I’m not having a meltdown; this post is not about the alcoholic kind of beverage. Do you hear, “I WANT A DRINK!” from your children about 1000 times a day and often at the most inconvenient moments? With four children in the house, I’ve come up with a system so everyone can get their own drinks, whenever they want, without any help from me. HALLELEUAH!
I’ve dedicated a section in the fridge to drink bottles of varying sizes. The children help themselves to a drink and when the bottle is empty, they place it in the kitchen sink for me to refill. Even my two-year-old is able to follow this simple process. I’m all for encouraging independence. Do you have a system?
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Great Idea Kelly!
I have always left a drink bottle on the bench for my daughter for as long as i can remember so that when she is home she has a drink ready whenever she wants it! I love your idea too!
That’s a great idea. I always leave drink bottles within reach for my one and two year old. They know to help themselves and drink water often throughout the day. I still give my kids cups at meal times, because this is an important skill to learn, but I think drink bottles are a much better option for in between meal times.
That’s a good point Nicole. I too, give my children cups at meal times. Thanks for pointing that out. x
I love using drink bottles kelly.
Tried of finding empty jugs and drink bottles in the fridge I brought a spring water chiller from Officeworks for $99 about a month ago.
Between the four of us we’re drink 12 litres of water a day!
I’m sure my fridge is happier too.
That’s awesome Marcia. I’ve always wanted to do that! Was it very expensive?
Works a treat!!!!!
Yes, everyday i used to fill up 2 bottles each and leave them on the bench. Now I have 2 who are more than capable to get themselves a drink, and 2 that still can’t reach the tap.
My problem is with miss 2 who claims anydrink bottle she can reach as her own. (when at home – when out she seems to stick to her own)
That’s a great idea. I leave waterbottles on the floor for my twin 1-year olds and it’s amazing how quickly they get emptied. It makes them independent in their water-drinking.
I think your toddlers and young ‘uns sound more clever than my teenagers (aka love my kids but they’re lazy). I tried the drink bottles in the fridge the past few years, and yet every single time i wanted one, they were empty in the kids’ rooms. Aaaggh, used to drive me insane. Now i have a special pretty prink bottle that is mine and mine alone and it’s always in the fridge when i need it. Plus we got a fridge with a water and ice dispenser on the outside. Most awesome thing ever. Kids love it and we all seem to drink more water.
Yep…we do the water bottle in the fridge idea too only there are enough in there for a couple of bottles each and they are responsible for filling up the empties and replacing them in the fridge. I have also grown tired of empties lying about the house so have my own “not to be touched by kids” water bottles which means I’m not the one inconvenienced, they are! They are admittedly old enough to be responsible for the task and I certainly didn’t have this expectation of toddlers!!!
Only $99!! I brought a 12L bottle too $9.99
I prefer my kids to drink tap water so we’re just refilling the bottle.
The bottles are also BPA free.
http://www.officeworks.com.au/retail/products/Office-Supplies/Kitchen-Supplies/Food-and-Beverages/Water-Supplies
AWESOME! I’m going to get one! Thank you. EXCITED!
Great idea Kelly. I sort of do this with my almost 2 year old, but for some reason (I think my tendency to pick things up when they are lying around), the bottle always ends up on the bench and too high for my daughter to reach. I’ll see if she can open the fridge – then we can use that option instead.
Am setting off to do this right now!! Thanks Kell