My daughter, 9, was served 'birthday drinks' that emulated cocktails

A mother has shared her outrage after her nine-year-old daughter was served 'birthday drinks' that emulated cocktails at a sleepover.

Taking to British parenting platform Mumsnet, the anonymous woman revealed the beverages were 'only squash' and not alcohol. However, they were served in plastic champagne flutes. 

The worried mother stressed that she wants her daughter to have a childhood and not to be 'adultified.'

But many rushed to the comments to say the woman was being 'ridiculous' and 'uptight'.

The post read: 'My daughter recently attended a birthday sleepover. The girls are nine years old, which I thought was slightly on the young side so I was a little hesitant but agreed.

'I have just seen some pictures and I really am not happy. The girls were given 'birthday drinks’. They were only squash and obviously no alcohol was used but they were served in actual plastic flutes. The drink was bright pink with fizzy sweets in the glass but I’m not happy.

'The mum in question parents very differently. Her 9 year old gets bought VERY expensive skincare products. And her daughter acts like a full on teen - we’re talking crop tops, Stanley cups, skincare, TikTok dances, eyeshadow etc. 

'I have been in the girl’s bedroom and she has a dressing table completely covered in Drunk Elephant etc. The mum is into that overconsumption stuff she sees online. Fine, parent how you want but I want my daughter to have a childhood and to not be adultified.

'AIBU in thinking this was massively inappropriate? Why couldn’t they have just made milkshakes or smoothies? Or an ice cream sundae?

'It’s the concept of birthday drinks and the fact they simulated cocktails. There is all the time in the world for birthday drinks.'

Many took to the comments to disagree with the mother and said the party sounded quite 'sweet' and 'fun'. 

One person wrote: 'Are you joking?? Nobody can be this uptight, surely?'  Another said: 'I think serving soft drinks in champagne flutes is rather sweet and fun so I do think YABU.

'I used to take photos of my DS pretending to drink his dad/grandads pint - he’s an adult now and teetotal. You're being ridiculous.'

Another joked: 'You're right to be concerned, it's well known that drinking juice with sweets in it is the start of a life of vice.'

Someone else said: 'Surely this is a joke?! You're upset that your daughter had fizzy drink/cordial/lollies in a plastic cup at a friends birthday party?? 

'I really don’t see how this is any issue unless there are actual allergies or dietary requirements the mum didn’t adhere to. I would let my 5 year old have a drink like this for a friends party. You really need to loosen up, I thought I was quite uptight but this takes the cake.'

However some people understood what the mother was concerned about and others even agreed. 

One person said: 'I partially get where the OP is coming from. Sleepovers at age 9 absolutely normal, and healthy. Squash pretending to be cocktails - quite sweet.

'However the whole skincare/tiktok/branded products stuff is, for me, very naff. The DD will probably pouting for selfies wearing virtually nothing by the time she's 11. 

'It just depresses me that girls are still being raised to aspire to be objects of glamour for whom appearance and owning all the latest designer stuff is everything. 

'But OP, it's just another way of parenting and you can just be relieved it's not yours. I don't think your DD will be harmed by it. 

'Your DD is likely to absorb your values and the friendship will probably just fade away naturally as they enter their tweens and teens.'

Another said: 'Surprised to see you getting such a hard time, OP. I don't disagree with what you are saying.

'I wouldn't be kicking up a fuss or anything, and I don't think it's going to turn the 9 year olds into raging alcoholics. I just think "why?"

'I just don't see the need for it. Let them be kids. They can be teens when they are teens.'

Another added: 'I don't think the OP would have minded the pop in a fancy glass if that was all it was, as she said..it's the context of the skincare etc. So it becomes part of the whole 'lambrini girls' female conditioning..let's have some fizz and do our nails etc which I agree is a bit sad at 9 but it's nothing new.'