Quote Originally Posted by 5 Little Monkeys View Post
I usually only have cups at the table while inside but outside is different. I bought some cheap sippy cups and put their names on them and take those outside with water in them. This way if they lose them at the parks it's not the good ones the parents send. They are running around outside and it's hot so I like to offer a drink.

I will throw them in my outside bag, add a couple bottle of waters and fill at the park or in backyard. Before coming in I dump the cups so it doesn't leak in my bag and I'm not juggling cups and children!
I pretty much do the same as you 5LM. The kids are not allowed to walk around all day with a sippy cup so indoors we have regular "sip" breaks as my guys are all very young so I understand the communal cup issues. When outside I have them all on a little table and they can come and drink as frequently as they require as long as the sippy is placed back on the table when they go back to playing. If the child is thirsty then they need their water intake increased, theres nothing that can be done about that and its actually a really good thing for them to drink as much water as they can. As a parent I'd be a little frustrated if my child was always thirsty at pick up even with your explanation of the routine. Remind the parents to bring a sippy for the ride home and top him up as often as possible. I don't think the formula or holding a bottle for their child has anything to do with how thirsty he is so I wouldn't connect the two. If he's thirsty he is thirsty.