to not want dd to go on a school day trip that involves 2 trips to McDonalds

[robinpud]

1 for breakfast and 1 for dinner in the evening?

I think you should suggest the Little chef myself

How exciting Ghosty- I've always thought Melbourne looks like a fab city. If it was my boys I would go with where I thought they would be most comfortable socially rather than academically, fwiw. I think all things being equal that's more important. They are not super-bright though so I don't think i'd have to contend with a massive boredom factor unless they had a poor teacher.

It's poor planning by the school.
But I think that it is unreasonable to not want her to go just for that reason.
I also think it might be awkward for her if you sent her with alternative food if everyone else is eating at McDonald's.
I wouldn't be thrilled, but I'd let the issue go, TBH.

Ghosty.. do not be browbeaten .. would definitely want him in 2nd grade.. at least.
Cat me and I will fill you in on my EARly findings.. am in contact with a lot of other people just here for a year with kids so we talk a lot about schools.
Will be visiting Melbourne over Easter..
We so so so so loved NZ.. want to live in Wanaka..

If it was one of my boys I would let him go, because he would be gutted if I didn't, and it's not his fault the teacher organising the trip is a slovenly lard-guzzling tosswank. I would send him with a couple of pieces of fruit and a bottle of water though, and instructions NOT to eat burgers/nuggets because they are crawling with filth and laden with axle grease.

I would write a blistering letter to the school and demand 1) an explanation, and 2) a promise of more suitable arrangements next time.

Robinpud ... am out of date with my subs to MN so can't CAT ...
Email me on ghostyandmeg(at)xtra(dot)co(dot)nz ... would love to hear more

Scummy ... thanks for lovely message We have done EXACTLY what you describe ... DH found a nice suburb that is perfect for us as a family (similar type to where we live now) rather than the posh, salubrious suburbs where it is all about schools and achievement. Still nice school where the house is but not too far up it's own backside IYSWIM? Still, DH had a job telling them that DS really needs to stay in his correct year group (young for the year or not) ...

Greeny for President ...
Brilliant Post ... I so wish I could write posts like that
"it's not his fault the teacher organising the trip is a slovenly lard-guzzling tosswank" PMSL

Thanks for that Greeny.. I am writing it down as we speak..

Can you not feed her first for breakfast and then drop her off for the rest of the day?

I'd be unhappy having McD's in my child's diet - it is so completely unhealthy and full of preservatives.

Either that or let it be a one off - encourage the mass eating of preservatives and sugar and sit back with the gleeful knowledge that the school will be dealing with a class full of hyperactive kids all day!

hehehehe!

I think it's a bit rubbish tbh (this speaking as an everything in moderation mum who does occasionally allow McD visits). I would let dd go but would write a letter to the Head expressing my disappointment. One visit to McD on a school trip is okay..ish but two is OTT.

I'm an "all thing in moderation" mum too. In fact I've just given ds2 a bowl of iron filings for elevensies, washed down with a mug of rabbit sick. A little of what you fancy does you good

They dont have to have muffins and burgers at breakfast.
McD's do porridge now and fruit bags and for her evening meal she could have the carrot batons instead of chips.

I'm presuming that you get that kind of menu at McDs there?

Greeny you are incorrigible!

Your boys already fancy iron filings and rabbit sick, greeny? What advanced palates! Mine have still not graduated onto these delicacies.

At our school the children would probably be taken on a detour to Holland and Barrett to stock up on sunflower seeds. Our Headteacher would rather boil her own head than frequent McD's on a school trip.

On balance, I kind of like it that way

Me too, hmc. I don't think McDs occasionally is the end of the world (though it is somehow intrinsically a rather depressing place, I find) but I can't see that it should have any place in schools/educational trips.

I don't think this will kill her, as a 'once in a lifetime' experience. Eating at McDs twice in one day might even put her offwanting to go to McDs again for a while.

Before I had DS, when I spent a lot of work time on the road, it wasn't unknown for me to have breakfast and dinner(evening) at McD, as I found the food generally more palatable and filling than the crap they sold at UK motorway service station "restaurants". I'm still here (and not fat either).

I would perhaps mention to the school that it seems a surprising choice tho'.
I wouldn't make an issue of it with my child either, that would just fuel the fire.

I used to work at McD's and ate it daily for about 18 mths. I am still alive...

A polite suggetion to the teacher that it's really not ideal to bring children to McDs and certainly not twice would be appropriate imo. But personally, I would feel a bit silly making a huge song and dance about it.

Having experienced the fine dining experience Roadhouse -style on a Greyhound bus between Perth and Broome, I was longing for a MacDonalds.

I think I would be annoyed though. Is there any reason that packed brekky/ lunches cannot be taken along?

WHY TWO MCD'S IN A DAY-FAIR ENOUGH ONE BUT TWO? SURELY THERES ONLY ENOUGH LIPS AND ARSE BURGERS A KID CAN TAKE IN ONE DAY?

COULDN'T THEY TAKE A PACKED LUNCH,THEN GO TO MCD'S FOR DINNER?OR THEY COULD ALWAYS STOP OFF TO GREGGS FOR A SAUSAGE ROLL..............(!)

yes

Is the UK so different from Ireland? At least in Neighbours the coffee shop seems to welcome schoolchildren! Where would be a good place to stop for lunch and the toilet? (Nice clean toilet) And if they are starting at 6.30 am, they must need a stop after a couple of hours. It is hard enough to herd kids in museum shops, imagine having to sort out restaurant food for them. McD has the advantage of limited menu, easy pricing etc.

Yes you are.

If this was a trip in the UK I have to say that I'd be speechless (and I'm not particulayly uptight about McDs or food). Given the fuss that is made over what can and cannot be in a packed lunch I would really be amazed if a school inflicted 2 helpings of McDs in a day.

Is this is wind up?