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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not see the need for a kids menu?

108 replies

cheeseandmarmitesandwich · 17/08/2011 18:44

Just been told yet again the 'kids menu' at a wedding we're going to in a few weeks will be nuggets and chips Confused. I just don't get it, that will be the 3rd wedding this year where DD is served a plate of fried crap that she won't eat while the parents get a roast dinner. Last time she just scoffed all my roast potatoes! What's wrong with just a kids portion of the normal meal, it's hardly going to be more expensive.

Same goes with pubs etc- why do they assume kids only eat crap?

I am by no means a food purist with the DC, they get plenty of crap treats, even, god forbid, the odd fruit shoot. But I just don't see why they can't eat the same as us, they do at home!

OP posts:
Tortington · 17/08/2011 18:45

CHURCH

catgirl1976 · 17/08/2011 18:50

YANBU I don't understand it either.

MrsMcgee · 17/08/2011 18:50

We did half portions of the adult portion at our wedding and it was more expensive. I'm not sure that's why people don't choose it, though I have no idea why they don't.

I'm with you, dd eats "normal food" at home so why not when we're out?!
Must be a demand for it though or they wouldn't be such common place.

MrsMcgee · 17/08/2011 18:51

Sorry of the adult meal

Lilaclion · 17/08/2011 18:55

YANBU, when at a restaurant my girls often prefer to pick something from the starter menu instead of the crap on offer in the kids menu! I wish they would just serve small sized meals from the main menu.

sittinginthesun · 17/08/2011 18:59

YANBU. I often just buy an adult's portion and divide it. When my Brother got married, he asked if nuggets and chips was ok, and I said NO!!! Half portions of the adult meal, please, otherwise I end up with the nuggets, whilst they get my roast. In the end, the caterers did a gorgeous chicken drumstick, crushed potatoes and veg.

gaaagh · 17/08/2011 19:00

I have never understood the idea of a different menu for children, rather than half portions.

And the shite they put on the menus - I'm in 100% agreement with you.

Adult menus are so varied it would have to be a very very fussy child to not find anything on there they'd like to eat. Same goes for certain diet needs (veggie, gluton free, whatever) - an adult menu has more variation than a children's menu, so I just don't see the need for them.

What possible reason is there, really? Honestly - I can't think of one. Can anyone enlighten me?

(Beyond "that's what they like" I mean - I'm not interested in that - I'm more interested in why our society thinks it's acceptable to offer a much narrower, generally more unhealthy option for children to choose from.)

wonkylegs · 17/08/2011 19:02

When we were skiing DS wouldn't eat anything off the kids menu but as we we're in France there was a fab cheese board selection which he got with a side of bread and grapes he loved it .... Especially as he could also nick some of mummy's chips

gaaagh · 17/08/2011 19:03

"my girls often prefer to pick something from the starter menu instead of the crap on offer in the kids menu"

that's our method too, we don't even offer the "children's" menus to DS and DDs in a lot of places. I would if it was interesting and varied, but it generally isn't (just the usual burgers, chips, beans, that sort of thing - even, surprisingly, at some of the more expensive national brand restaurants we've been to in the last few years, which I've been shocked at - esp in the time where children's healthy eating is getting more media attention - won't name names).

Tee2072 · 17/08/2011 19:05

This is why I like Pizza Express and TGI Fridays. Real food for kids.

worraliberty · 17/08/2011 19:06

The pubs and restaurants around here just do mini portions of the adults meals but offer nuggets/burgers/sausages and chips too.

mckenzie · 17/08/2011 19:06

I'm with you cheeseandmarmitesandwich. But I think like MrsMcGee says, there must be a demand for it. We were at a family wedding last month where there was a fabulous buffet (fresh salmon, meats being carved, fabulous salads etc) and the mum of one 14 year old family member asked for chicken nuggets and chips for her son Sad

create · 17/08/2011 19:07

We were stuck in traffic on the M1 once and stopped off at a lovely pub near Worborn Abbey safari park. I can't remember the name, which is a shame, because it deserves a mention.

They had a children's menu, but were at pains to point out that DC could also chose anything on the main menu and have a half portion, for half price. That's the way to do it! Smile

The "full" cost was very reasonable too, so the DC's meals were downright cheap

gaagh, The only reason I can think of is that they can offer apparent good value, by giving children a pile of very cheap (to the restaurant) food

Tw1nkle · 17/08/2011 19:08

i totally agree!!!
I get really annoyed when we eat out - why does EVERYWHERE think it's ok to serve my child rubbish!?!?
I haven't found anywhere yet that has a healthy menu for kiddies.
Very dissappointing.

create · 17/08/2011 19:11

That said, our "Health & Fitness club" recently changed their children's menu from nuggets/fish fingers/burgers to noodles/pasta/jacket potatoes and restaurant taking dropped nearly 25%. I guess these chains do know what sells.

MissBetsyTrotwood · 17/08/2011 19:13

I agree in principle but maybe for a wedding or some other event they just go for a meal that's a dead cert for the majority of kids. In the same way that when I host my kids' friends we always go for something like fish fingers for tea.

That's a good idea, create.

Blu · 17/08/2011 19:13

I agree, but listen for the chorus of 'ds / dd won't eat boef en daube, gravadlax or smoked venison terrine' if only a small portion of the wedding menu is offered - and the hosts will be hassled to provide 'something for the children'.

sittinginthesun · 17/08/2011 19:14

Mind you, the worst place i have been is France. For a country with amazing food, their childrens' menus are rubbish. Brittany Ferries have a single meal which is ham (no bread), a packet of crisps, and a toy!

Blu · 17/08/2011 19:15

Create: yup!

My neice is 14 and still eats off the children's menu in a restaurant because all she ever wants is pasta with a tomato type sauce.

perplexedpirate · 17/08/2011 19:20

Totally agree. It annoys me as we're veggie and the choice is frequently egg, chips, or egg and chips. Blah.

We have to get an extra plate so DS shares ours. Not good though, is it?
BTW, we did the half-portions thing at our wedding and were asked by several guests for the "childrens' menu". They were told that was it, one meat, one fish and one veggie choice. Apparently because it wasn't a load of old deep fried offal it couldn't be for kids. Hmm

pointydog · 17/08/2011 19:27

I thought brittany ferries was good. They offer small portions of the adult main meals for a smaller price.

The ham and crisps was probably a poor attempt to appease the british customers Wink

PizzaEmpress · 17/08/2011 19:27

YANBU.

Why would children rather eat fried crap and why would a parent want them to eat that?

I'd hate to think of my DC eating crap and chips when DH and I are having a nice meal.

Lisatheonewhoeatsdrytoast · 17/08/2011 19:31

YANBU, i had 5 kids at my wedding, 2 of which were on the cusp of child/teen and i had a kids menu plus the option of a reduced portion of whichever main they chose, and it only cost me £2 per child more if they chose this, 2 did, 3 liked the kids meals :)

K999 · 17/08/2011 19:32

Not a lover of kids menus but Pizza Express do a great one. Well priced, 3 courses and both my DDs love it!

sittinginthesun · 17/08/2011 19:32

Pointy - the big ferries are fine, it's the the high speed boats with smaller restaurants. That did occur to me as well, although everywhere in Brittany seems to have ham and chips as the main staple for children (not that it matters to me, as i just split an adult meal between them anyway).

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