AITA for “loading kids up on sugar” at my 6-year-old son’s birthday party when the other parents just dropped them off?

This past weekend, we hosted a birthday party for my son (M6). Standard setup—park location, party games, balloons, snacks, cake. We had some cookies, lollies, and drinks available: water, juice, and yes, Coke. Pretty normal stuff for a kid’s party, nothing extreme.

Here’s the thing: most parents just dropped their kids off and left. Some didn’t even say hi or check in—just handed the kid over and took off. Again, I don’t mind hosting, but if you’re not going to stay, I’d assume you trust what’s on offer.

Now a couple of those same parents are apparently complaining that we “loaded their kids with sugar” and “gave them Coke.” One mum said her kid was “bouncing off the walls” and that we were irresponsible.

But here’s what gets me: every kid who was offered Coke said they were allowed to have it. Not one mentioned any restrictions, allergies, or preferences. Meanwhile, my own son doesn’t like fizzy drinks or juice—he only drinks water or milk—so it’s not like I was pushing anything on him or anyone else. The food and drink were just there, help-yourself style.

If someone had mentioned their kid wasn’t allowed soft drink, I would’ve absolutely respected that. But I can’t read minds. And if you don’t stay at the party or say anything about dietary restrictions, can you really be upset afterward?

So—AITA for not micromanaging what the other kids ate and drank at a party where their own parents weren’t even present?