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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think there’s nothing wrong with a McDonald’s once in a while?

131 replies

Eyebagsandcoffee · 04/09/2018 19:10

I went on a day out today with a friend and kids and stopped at a services along the way to get some lunch. DD(4) saw the McDonald’s sign and excitedly shouted ‘ooh McDonald’s can we go there for lunch please?’

My friend was mortified and snapped at me ‘she’s 4 how does she know the McDonald’s sign? my DS (he’s 4) has never been and doesn’t even know they exist, we’re not going anywhere near it, I can’t believe you’ve fed her that crap’

She’s usually quite level headed but was outraged, are parents really like this? DD doesn’t have one every week but occasionally will, it’s usually at a services or similar. A few nuggets once in a while won’t kill them! The friend will happily give her kid chips whilst out at a farm cafe or similar.

AIBU to think she was being precious and her kids will probably binge on cheeseburgers at the earliest opportunity?

OP posts:

HolyMountain · 04/09/2018 20:42

There is nothing wrong with eating MacDonalds , occasionally.

Eating a bit of everything is find,just don’t eat the same thing all the time.

QuestionableMouse · 04/09/2018 20:45

It's just food. It's not better or worse than anything from most cafes or from Iceland (for example).

And we do a lot more in environmental terms, charity provision and community outreach than a lot of other companies.

imadumbass · 04/09/2018 20:47

There's nothing wrong with a McDonald's every day imo!

(Ok I eat there too much).

Loyaultemelie · 04/09/2018 20:47

I hate McDonald's with a passion because their veggie burger is shit (Bk all the way!) but unfortunately dds love it so a few times a year I end up telling them to eat their tea while I shovel in apple pies because it's all I can eat and commit every parenting fail there is your friend would love me.

Fatted · 04/09/2018 20:51

Personally I don't like Maccies. The chips are horrible! But my kids like it and we will eat there.

Everything in moderation is the best way to be. My kids love fruit and veg and eat lots of healthy stuff at home as well. But the odd takeaway won't kill them.

stressedoutpa · 04/09/2018 20:53

Oh god, what a bore.

You need to find some friends who won't judge your annual trip to McDonalds....

EdisonLightBulb · 04/09/2018 20:53

I can't get would up about a maccies. I probably eat one or less per year, usually in desperation.

When DC were small they probably had one a fortnight as it worked around all the sports activities they had.

Now in their twenties they never eat it, ever. Nando's is their go to when starving.

Maccies? 🤷‍♀️

PumpkinPie2016 · 04/09/2018 20:56

Nothing wrong with it at all. I take DS (4 years) very occasionally as a treat. Probably 3 or 4 times a year.

We went over the summer hols after he has done a week's intensive swimming course. He had a happy meal of cheeseburger, fries and water plus a fruit bag. Not amazing but not going to kill you either!

He's active, perfect weight for his height and his diet is otherwise great so I see no problem.

I do think of you forbid certain things then they become more attractive to them as teenagers!

rainbowsandsmiles · 04/09/2018 21:14

She actually said all that? If so, an eye roll is an order and mentally file away in the "whatever" drawer
It's junk food yes, but every now and again it won't harm.

blinkineckmum · 04/09/2018 21:16

I'm surprised people think all 4 year olds know McDonalds. I'm pretty sure mine doesn't. We've never been there and don't watch tv with adverts. I don't think we're that unusual?

Mumberjack · 04/09/2018 21:17

OP your friend doth protest too much. Bet she’s nipped into the comforting Golden Arches for a quick meal for her kid plenty

Dbrook · 04/09/2018 21:22

I don’t think I’ve eaten there sober in years, but drunk me has definitely enjoyed a guilty McDonald’s from time to time.

The last time I went was a few years ago when I was living in SW London, and on my way home from after work drinks at about 11:30pm. The place was rammed with the type of 20 and 30 something urban professionals who normally eat kale and do yoga, all looking a bit sheepish.

No one’s as perfect as they pretend to be. As long as it’s just an occasional treat for kids I think it’s fine.

SusanChurchouse · 04/09/2018 21:28

I used to hate it as I'd worked there as a teenager when it was genuinely shit. But I became a convert when I had a whiney baby who would fall asleep in the car and I had the breastfeeding hunger. Christ that drive thru was handy. Besides, my local one is lovely. The staff are fab, can't do enough for you.

WatchOutForTheCar · 04/09/2018 21:29

Oh balls, now I want a Big Mac!

DrWhy · 04/09/2018 21:30

DS is just about to turn 2 and has never been to McDonalds but that’s because DH is veggie and I’m a fussy meat eater and as a PP has said, their veggie burgers are rubbish! He has had a bit of a Burger King at a services but he’s certainly well aquatinted with chips of kids menus and at cafes! He’d live off fish fingers, chips and peas given the chance (which he isn’t!). If you enjoy eating there I can’t see the occasional visit doing a 4 year old (or a 2 year old) and harm, especially if they are like DS, on the move non-stop and burning off calories faster than they can shovel them in!

Ethylred · 04/09/2018 21:31

So objecting to garbage being passed off as food is precious?

zukiecat · 04/09/2018 21:32

DD2 and me love a McDonalds!

We maybe go two or three times in a month, their Chicken Selects with Sweet and Sour Sauce are to die for

DD prefers the Chicken Nuggets

I'm also very partial to a Quarterpounder, but always without cheese. I can't stand cooked cheese

Pebblespony · 04/09/2018 21:33

Doing it in such a way as this is definitely being precious. She could have just said she didn't fancy it. Not all the 'I'm so virtuous' crap.

Unihorn · 04/09/2018 21:34

It doesn't have to be garbage though. They sell grilled chicken wraps that people probably make for their kids at home anyway, or fish fingers, which aren't exactly the food of the devil. And they can have fruit or carrot sticks instead of fries if you're really too up your own arse to allow a child to eat a fucking chip.

cookiesandchocolate · 04/09/2018 21:34

My child had her first one the other day.
So impressed with the menu changes and options for kids.
I even went all out and had a KFC the day after (which was total shite compared to Mac Donald's) they've clearly upped their game

BitchQueen90 · 04/09/2018 21:34

@Ethylred it is when you're being rude about other people eating it.

If you don't want to eat it, fine. But if others want to then it's none of your business.

thebeesknees123 · 04/09/2018 21:35

Whether she objected or not, she could have been more diplomatic!

Pebblespony · 04/09/2018 21:35

The coffee is nice too and like a pp, the drive-thru was a godsend when DD was a small baby asleep in the car.

TeachesOfPeaches · 04/09/2018 21:35

Got a happy meal last week and it came with a Roald Dahl book instead of the usual plastic toy.

hungryhippo90 · 04/09/2018 21:37

Why did I click on this whilst on a diet?
Hmmm... thinking about nipping to the drive through about 8 minutes away!.....golden fries, scrum my Big Mac...mmmmm

No your friends a bit off, why doesn’t her child recognise the McDonald’s logo? It’s one of the most seen logos in the country... at that age my (not exceptionally smart or perecptive child knew all the normal sorts of logos)
Gone are the days that it’s all pure shit. I’m not saying it’s the best place to eat, but it’s upped it’s game and if it was so bad most towns wouldn’t have 2/3/4/5.

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