To take DD 5 to McDonald's every other weekend?

I agree 😆. I don’t think some people realise how ridiculous they sound.

Well, it depends on your definition.

Whatever way you look at it, every other weekend is creating a habit/routine.
The fact that that habit/routine is to go to a fast food outlet which sells food and drinks that are high in salt and sugar and have no nutritional value can not be good parenting, that’s for sure.

Thanks OP, this thread has given me some really good laughs.

Or, had children they could afford to feed then circumstances changed.

When we had DD we both earned less than we do now, but cost of living was much lower. Since having her we've both had promotions and the wage rises that come with it, but as far as money goes, we're in the same position because the cost of everything went up dramatically too.

People lose jobs. They become unwell. Things change. Not everyone on a low income has chosen to have children whilst in the low income. They could afford them when they had them and then things changed. Would you suggest they send them back??

Because the child is gluten free.....

But chose to have children they couldn’t afford to feed…

Time and money (and proper allocation thereof) are part of parenting.

Whether or not to take an age 5 child to MCDonald’s dozens of times per year clearly is a parenting choice. What else would it be??

OP asked for opinions in a large forum; if she only wanted approval why bother?

Exactly this! It's easy to equate not providing 'good' food with bad parenting, but in reality some of the best parents are doing all they can just to get something in their children's bellies.

Don’t forget folks that on average the child will eat far less “junk” as most of it contains gluten. No slice of cake at school when it’s someone’s birthday. No food at parties or soft play. No Greggs in town. No Burger King or KFC. No donuts or waffles at the fair or seaside. Lots of crisps and chocolate bars are a no go as is most beige freezer food. There are far worse things than a GF child having a few chips twice a month.

It also means that if the food a child receives is a direct result of the quality of parenting, all those people who lost jobs or are on low incomes are therefore deemed terrible parents because they are feeding their kids what they can afford.

I was looking at our food costs the other week and noticed that a box of six apples cost twice as much as a kilo and a half of frozen chips. If you have a tenner to spend on food for your kid, are you spending a quarter of it on not even one apple a day, or on two bags of something hot and filling that will last the week?

I wouldn't have thought this was obvious. Food choices are about more than parenting quality. Time, money and other commitments play a role too.

There will always be a huge spectrum when it comes to parenting. Unless people are actively seeking to harm their child, is there a need to judge? Just parent your kids how you want. The question wasnt 'am i terrible parent', it was is it ok to take DD to mcdonalds every other weekend'

Or maybe you just like to feel like a superior parent because you choose to feed your child differently.

It’s not to be proud of or horrified by. It simply is. @EmmaEmEmzwill not die, suffer or otherwise be affected by it. She will probably just be much happier and less uptight than some of the posters here. Myself included. Btw… I’ve had 3 but has been a particularly busy “grab it and go” kind of week. I’ve also been to the gym 5 times, eaten well for the other meals and walked approx 18k steps per day.

Since 5-year-olds don’t typically source their own food, what they consume is a direct result of the quality of parenting they receive.

I should have thought that was obvious to anyone, and pertinent to the OP’s query.

"I don't like the idea of McDonald's so frequently" is very different to "this makes your parenting choices not great".

OP asked whether people thought McDonald's every couple of weeks was ok. Not for judgement on her parenting.

Who made you the parenting police?

What i mean by that is if i have a craving for say kfc or maccas, i will just get it
I wont say no ive already had it X amount of times this week/month/year and choose something else
For me not doing that would feel restrictive.
I have to feel like what im eating or my appetite is non existent

When someone invites judgment by posting “AIBU to…” in a forum frequented by 1000s, they are inviting judgment. It’s disingenuous to become indignant at receiving a variety of honest feedback.

Also, who appointed you the comments police?

Some people have a blind spot when it comes to food quality - They'll tell you McDonalds is toxic sludge but will feed their kids literally anything if it's sold in Waitrose, and contains oats, or has a posh-girl name on the box.
Better to look at the ingredients list and take a view once you're armed with some actual facts. I don't think there's much wrong with a McDonalds from time to time. Most children are bright enough to understand that some things are ok to have occasionally but not every day.

Thankyou. Don't get me wrong if I offered them a bowl of fruit or a bar of chocolate they're going to go for the chocolate, but the vast majority of people would.

I go for an 80/20 approach. If 80% of their diet is generally 'good', then I don't mind a bit of crap, as long as they're getting plenty of exercise and fresh air.

Agree. I’m doing mine now so that they are ready for snacking all weekend. I’m just scrolling to find something to cry about so that I can use fresh tears

Or, maybe you could spend more time practicing being kind rather than a judgemental arse because someone has a different idea to you on something like food.

This sounds a great healthy approach and will instil normal healthy attitudes to food imo.