What should I do when they ask for fizzy drinks daily and argue if I say no? 

Parenting Perspective 

Few modern parenting battles are as relentless as the daily request for a fizzy drink. The colourful cans, the sweet fizz, and the advertisements that make these drinks look like happiness itself can be hard for anyone to resist, especially for children who crave routine and reward. What may begin as an innocent treat can easily become a daily demand. When your child argues or pleads after you have said ‘no,’ it is not always a sign of rebellion; it is often a habit that has been reinforced by repetition and emotion. 

Your goal is not just to stop the argument, but to reshape the habit itself, to make the practice of moderation feel fair, predictable, and non-negotiable. You are teaching your child how to live within healthy limits without turning the subject of sweetness into a source of secrecy or defiance. 

Understanding Why Children Argue About Fizzy Drinks 

Fizzy drinks can trigger a feeling of pleasure almost instantly. The sugar spike, the bubbles, and the flavour all combine to light up the reward system in the brain. When the brain experiences this on a daily basis, it can begin to link the feeling of ‘feeling good’ with ‘getting the drink.’ So, when you say no, your child is not just hearing a refusal; they are feeling a dip in their sense of pleasure and control. This is why shouting or shaming rarely helps. Instead, your strategy should focus on consistency, a calm tone, and a clear structure, teaching them that pleasure is not a bad thing, but that it belongs in a healthy balance. 

A Calm Plan to End the Daily Battles 

• Set the rule on a calm day, not during a moment of conflict. You can discuss the new plan when emotions are low: ‘From now on, we will have fizzy drinks only on the weekends. The rest of the week is for water, milk, or natural juice.’ This predictability helps to remove the daily argument from the routine. 

• Give a simple reason, not a long lecture. ‘Fizzy drinks are fun, but they can hurt our teeth and our energy if we have too many of them.’ Children tend to respect a clear cause-and-effect explanation more than they do long warnings. 

• Offer a sense of power through choice. You can let them pick which day or which meal the weekend treat will belong to. When a sense of choice is able to coexist with a clear structure, cooperation is more likely to grow. 

• Replace the ritual, not just the drink. Children often want the special moment of enjoyment, not just the drink itself. You can offer alternatives like sparkling water with fruit, flavoured ice cubes, or homemade lemonade to preserve the feeling of a treat without the excess sugar. 

This balance of empathy and clear boundaries helps to build trust. Over time, the arguments will fade because the rule becomes a natural part of the family rhythm, not a daily battle of wills. 

Spiritual Insight 

The noble Quran calls believers to a state of moderation in every blessing, to neither forbid what is lawful nor to misuse what is permissible. Teaching your child to enjoy treats sparingly reflects the divine principle of wasatiyyah (balance), which is a form of gratitude expressed through discipline. 

Moderation as a Form of Protection and Gratitude 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Aa’raaf (7), Verse 31: 

‘ O children of Adam, take (appropriate) measures to beautify yourself (before you appear) at any place of worship (for Prayer); and eat and drink and do not be extravagant (wasteful), as indeed, He (Allah Almighty) does not like extravagance.‘ 

This verse does not ban pleasure; it guides it. By limiting fizzy drinks, you are not withholding joy; you are teaching your child a sense of respect for their health, for balance, and for the blessings they have been given. 

The Prophetic Teaching on Balanced Living 

It is recorded in Mishkaat Al Masaabih, Hadith 4178, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The food of one person is enough for two, the food of two is enough for four, and the food of four is enough for eight.’ 

This hadith illustrates that the qualities of contentment and moderation have the effect of multiplying our blessings. Teaching your child to be satisfied with occasional treats is in alignment with this wisdom. It helps to turn the act of moderation into a source of barakah (blessing), and their restraint into a form of gratitude. Over time, your calm consistency will show your child that saying ‘no’ is not unkind; it is a form of caring.