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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU or is this unusual?

134 replies

Mushroomflumps · 28/10/2010 18:54

I'm not judging any one else's parenting - I am not saying my parenting style is right and others are wrong.

I took out some children for lunch, said 'Who wants to go to McDonalds?', expecting a 'Yay' for a treat, and got from one of the children 'What's Mcdonalds?'

I wouldn't of been surprised if any child ever said to me 'I'm not allowed Mcdonalds', or 'Never been to McDonalds'.

But not 'what's mcdonalds?'

AIBU to think this is unusual, or is this common, and just not for my common kids Grin

OP posts:
colditz · 28/10/2010 18:57

It is unusual. Not a bad thing, but unusual.

Did this child's mother KNOW you were taking them to MacDonalds [cringe]

BubbaAndBump · 28/10/2010 18:59

I think my DDs would have said that - but they're only 3 1/2 and 2

tbh I was giving a friend's DD a lift the other day and was surprised she knew what McDs was when we drove past one

Original poster
Mushroomflumps · 28/10/2010 19:00

No I had asked if there was anywhere I couldn't take them/give them anything to eat and she said no.

But I did tell her after the event, and apologised.

OP posts:
atmywitssend · 28/10/2010 19:02

DS is nearly 3 and he wouldn't know what it was. We don't go there - so he hasn't. Not judgey, just how it is.

Lotster · 28/10/2010 19:03

Good job you're aren't judging anyone for not taking their children to McD's! Would be pretty thin ice Grin

My oldest (4) would have said the same until we were marooned in one the other day. (He enjoyed it, natch)

pozzled · 28/10/2010 19:05

How old were the children?

I would certainly say it's unusual in school-age children but again, not a bad thing.

Original poster
Mushroomflumps · 28/10/2010 19:06

Around 9/10 years old.

OP posts:
PortoFangO · 28/10/2010 19:07

I had dd's friends back after dance class the other Sunday. Dd announced all excited that we would stop of at Burger Quick (Belgian Maccy D's) on way home. It is a special treat in our house. The other 2 mumbled that they didn't like it, so we came back and had pasta instead....

I was quite surprised I must admit. I thought it was the free plastic tat and the playroom that appealed rather than the food...Grin

exexpat · 28/10/2010 19:07

My DCs know what McDs is but certainly wouldn't see it as a treat - I've only dragged them in a few times when there has been absolutely nowhere else to eat, and it hasn't been a happy experience - we're veggie, their veggieburgers (when they have them) are crap, and the rest of it isn't much good either...

BubbaAndBump · 28/10/2010 19:07

I'm fairly sure by 9 or 10 mine will know what MaccyDs is (ooh, I fancy one now!) :o

cat64 · 28/10/2010 19:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

BubbaAndBump · 28/10/2010 19:08

Ooh, or a Quick! used to live in Belgium, so that would suit me too - I'm not fussy! :o Blush

PortoFangO · 28/10/2010 19:39

It's shite compared to McD's though. I do LOVE a quarter pounder with cheese. And the breakfasts. Haven't had one for years.....

HMTheQueen · 28/10/2010 19:59

I tried to temp DS (2.4) with Macdonalds to stop him from crying (bad mother emoticon Blush)... he got very excited about seeing cows, ducks, pigs...

at which point I realised he thought I was taking him to Old MacDonald's farm... Confused

HMTheQueen · 28/10/2010 20:00

tempt

traceybath · 28/10/2010 20:01

My 6 year old DS doesn't know what McD's is because we just never go there.

Not a judgement on others it just not somewhere I eat so therefore don't take my children there.

My BIL thinks my dc's are deprived because of this Wink

Original poster
Mushroomflumps · 28/10/2010 20:02

Exepat - but the chips and onion rings, and banana milkshake!!!

Ok so it was more of a treat for me than the kids Grin

OP posts:
PandaNot · 28/10/2010 20:06

My 3 year old has never been but still shouts out "McDonald's!!" as we drive past. Even if the child had never been I would expect them to know what it was.

hairytriangle · 28/10/2010 20:07

I fail to see how mcdonalds is a treat. It makes me feel Ill. The childs reaction is unusual but good on the parents!

bintofbohemia · 28/10/2010 20:08

Mine (2 & 4) don't know what it is either. (Am also veggie and don't go there on principle, apart from once in Mumbai when we were dying for a bit of air con!) Not judgey about those who do go there (sure mine will when they get older of only to rebel) but it's a longstanding thing with me and I can't see it ever changing.

gomummygo · 28/10/2010 20:12

DS would have no idea what it was either.

Timeforanap · 28/10/2010 20:13

I'd expect them to know what it is. We used to be very anti and avoid McD.'s (hard, as some of the food is v yummy), but have relaxed a bit now - some of their policies on deforestation etc do seem to have improved. ANYWAY, even when we were anti the golden arches are so beguiling DD ALWAYS asked what they were for when we drove past.

Firawla · 28/10/2010 20:14

im surprised @ 9-10 they don't know but maybe they just never eat there and no-one has mentioned it to them as their friends and family dont eat there?
but reminds me of once my mil tried to tempt ds into eating his food by going "oh look its a macdonalds" and was surprised when he did not have a clue what she was talking about - he was not even 2 lol

NotanOtter · 28/10/2010 20:15

my 7 year old would not know - my older ones would but my younger ones never been (polishes halo!) Wink

ragged · 28/10/2010 20:25

Would not have surprised me that a 9-10yo did not know, a 12-13yo not knowing would have surprised me. DS would have not known before the age of 6 or 7.