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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to take 3yo dd to McDonalds?

200 replies

bushymcbush · 17/09/2011 22:03

We were out, in a hurry and with few options available. It was the first time she has ever eaten McDonalds. She wasn't even all that impressed, eating less than half her burger and just one of her fries!

But dh is acting as though I've fed her class A drugs.

I might understand his pov if he was some kind of health freak, but you should see the shut he puts into his own body on a daily basis. Including McDonalds and KFC.

AIBU? Do you give your dc the occasional McDonalds?

OP posts:
MissyMoo321 · 18/09/2011 14:54

Wow! Didn't realise how snobby some people were about McDs!

I work in Mcdonalds and believe me OP your child is not the youngest to eat there.
You can ask to not salt the fries and the carrot and fruit bags are a healthy option, chicken nuggets are pure breast meat but they are fried.

MollyTheMole · 18/09/2011 14:59

YANBU

I get me and Ds one about 3 times a month and we bloody love our little treat Grin. He eats fairly healthily the rest of the time so IMO 3 'junk' meals out of 93 aint that bad.

hiccymapops · 18/09/2011 15:01

I'm despicable and feckless!!!!! I have been known to shout at dc's on occasion too (not usually in macdonalds )

SOCIAL SERVICES !!!

BeaOnSea · 18/09/2011 15:08

I can't believe some of the ridiculous statements on this thread!

I don't particularly like the food in McD's myself but I didn't have a problem with my DC going occasionally when they were younger. If nothing else, to attend friend's birthday parties that were held there.

They're both strapping six footers now, are very, very, healthy and actually don't choose to go into McD's. So it's ridiculous to try and make out that it's a slippery slope if someone dares to take their children for the occasional happy meal.

Pinot · 18/09/2011 15:08

Won't someone think of the children!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TheBride · 18/09/2011 15:12

Beaonsea.

That's what you think, but secretly they're mainlining Big Mac sauce Grin

BeaOnSea · 18/09/2011 15:13
Grin
Crosshair · 18/09/2011 15:20

I really want a big mac now. :(

mumeeee · 18/09/2011 15:31

YANBU going to Macdonalds occasionally is fine for a 3 year old. The beef burgers are actually pure beef these days and very like the burgers you would serve at home.

ivykaty44 · 18/09/2011 15:56

paragraph taken from the link

A person's food preferences, like his or her personality, are formed during the first few years of life, through a process of socialization. Babies innately prefer sweet tastes and reject bitter ones; toddlers can learn to enjoy hot and spicy food, bland health food, or fast food, depending on what the people around them eat. The human sense of smell is still not fully understood. It is greatly affected by psychological factors and expectations. The mind focuses intently on some of the aromas that surround us and filters out the overwhelming majority. People can grow accustomed to bad smells or good smells; they stop noticing what once seemed overpowering. Aroma and memory are somehow inextricably linked. A smell can suddenly evoke a long-forgotten moment. The flavors of childhood foods seem to leave an indelible mark, and adults often return to them, without always knowing why. These "comfort foods" become a source of pleasure and reassurance -- a fact that fast-food chains use to their advantage. Childhood memories of Happy Meals, which come with french fries, can translate into frequent adult visits to McDonald's. On average, Americans now eat about four servings of french fries every week.

ivykaty44 · 18/09/2011 16:02

If the beef was good quality - it wouldn't need to be ground, and could be left as steak. Yes it is 100% beef but there are various cuts of beef and it is what is left over that no one else wants to buy. Macdonalds takes this grinds it up to mush and then serve it and call it 100% as it is 100% from a cow

Crosshair · 18/09/2011 16:14

''Macdonalds takes this grinds it up to mush and then serve it and call it 100% as it is 100% from a cow''

Dont most places do this? :)

exoticfruits · 18/09/2011 16:16

don't buy the balanced diet eat macdonalds and eat a healthy diets its ok, why not just eat good food?

I can tell that you only have a small DC or very young DCs. The reason that you let them have MacDonalds is because if you don't they will desire it-forbidden fruits are always better! You will not be able to escape it unless you are rigidly controlling. DCs will get taken there for birthday parties, or similar e.g. cinema, fast food. Even if they go bowling, a sports centre, iceskating, swimming parties they will end up with fast food.
Mine are like BeaOnSea's -strapping over 6 footers-very healthy, climb mountains, run marathons etc and they don't go into MacDonalds-or very rarely.

You can read all you like about babies and toddlers and tastes-it doesn't work!! The only thing that you do produce is DCs who are wonderful at telling lies. I have seen the ones with food police parents-they look them in the eye with 'yes mummy of course I love a carrot for a snack' and you know fine well they are stuffing crisps etc when she can't see them.
I prefer moderation in all things.

ivykaty44 · 18/09/2011 16:22

exotic - seems you can't tell at all then Grin I don't call 19 very young or small...

exoticfruits · 18/09/2011 16:38

How do you know what he consumes when you are not there then ivykate?-he probably had a childhood stuffing crisps!

I think it utter rubbish about tastes. I loathed brussel sprouts when young-I used to hold my nose to eat one. I love them and eat them like sweets! I adored meringue -it sets my teeth on edge now.

ledkr · 18/09/2011 16:47

My 7 month old just sat in Mcds and had some bread and chips whilst dd ate her meal between swimming and dancing as i had no time to come home again.She hasnt been in there for years btw but i did wonder how many mners were in there judging me and whether a thread would be running about me when i got home Grin
Disclaimer-the baby had a healhy meal when we got home

harrietlichman · 18/09/2011 16:47

Everytiime I read AIBU threads. the song 'People are strange' runs through my head on a loop.

YANBU. Your dp is.

BeaOnSea · 18/09/2011 16:52

ivykaty44 your link is very interesting and there is some truth in it. We associate aromas with certain points in time, places or people - that's why the perfume industry is so vast.

However, unless you (general) are such a parent that your DC only has happy times in McD's, it should not be a problem. Do we not associate the smell of candy floss to a fair, popcorn to the cinema, sweaty shoes to ten pin bowling?

And, as far as I know, DS1 managed to work for a few months at Tesco without raiding the rusks Grin

hiss42 · 18/09/2011 16:57

Yes children still in high chairs in mcdonalds in a disgrace! It's gross, all I can picture is babies with fistfulls of chips mushed up everywhere with grease all over their hands.

Have just had a discussion with DP and he can't believe everyones attitudes. Even he said (A MAN!) "Why couldn't of that woman just gone into the supermarket and got her something? Or a spud-u-like?".

Well we're not perfect but we certainly wouldn't take a 3 year old to McDonalds! I'm not saying she shouldnt' eat it, but three is very young to be digesting that crap.

People keep going on about moderation is so damn annoying. It's definatley better to never have it than to have it occasionally!

Triggles · 18/09/2011 16:59

ivykaty - pardon me, but I couldn't help but notice this:

"On average, Americans now eat about four servings of french fries every week."

Are you in some way blaming the Americans for junk food in the UK? Hmm I can only assume that you have not been near a chip shop lately or in a pub, where everything is fried and served with chips. Good old British food.

And I can't say that I consider your source to be impeccable anyway. I could do a bit of online searching and find stuff to contradict your quotes. But what's the point, really? I honestly don't give a rat's ass whether or not you like McD's. The other nonsense you're spouting? well whatever makes you happy, I suppose. I'm just looking around intently for Mr Rourke and Tattoo. Welcome to Fantasy Island. Grin

exoticfruits · 18/09/2011 17:02

I am not surprised that people have food issues! You do need to relax. My grandfather lived to 103 -with everything in moderation. None of my family are fat-they are all fit and healthy. I run most days. Rigid views on MacDonalds do far more harm than good.

Sirzy · 18/09/2011 17:03

Errm something from the supermarket would need taking home and cooking so no good when needed straight away!

ivykaty44 · 18/09/2011 17:06

exoticfruits you assume a lot, but to say my offspring will be stuffing their faces with crisps because I don't take them to Macdonalds is rather strange.

I don't ban foods and never said I didn't allow crisps or chocolate. You decided as I don't take my dd's to Macdonalds and I can't see the point in eating crap when you can have good food, that I police what my dc eat.

I doubt either of my dd's are stuffing their faces with crap, but it is their choice what they spend their money on. Rather strange though that they love my cooking and eat well at the table

for the record I don't have sons and never have had sons - never assume or put words where they aren't there.

ivykaty44 · 18/09/2011 17:07

exocits - do you agree with drugs in moderation to?

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 18/09/2011 17:09

last time I checked junk food wasn't illegal Hmm

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