To get an 8.5 yr old a happy meal?

[QuickSloeGo]

Obviously irrelevant if you don’t eat McDonald’s...

Twice recently I’ve had friends kids out and about and for ease I’ve resorted to McDonald’s. Not the days main meal.

I still buy my 8 yr old a happy meal, even I rarely buy an adult full meal unless I’m starving or I’ve eaten little else. For lunch I’ll happily get a wrap.

Both times his friends have been incredulous at the happy meal, I’ve bought them full meals and their parents have confirmed they always have a full meal. One laughed and said she lets him make it large.

I will always follow rules for other people’s kids, but am I out of step with 8 yr old boy portions? It seems plenty to me for lunch. He doesn’t complain, his 6 yr old sister doesn’t finish them. They are slim but a healthy slim and full of energy. I’m a very normal about 22ish bmi so mid range healthy and I don’t diet.

Dd1 chose a happy meal past 12 long after her little sister started asking for a full meal! As long as McDonald's isn't a frequent trip I would not worry anyway - the portions are actually smaller than most restaurants and the quality is ok. I like their grilled chicken wraps.

DS3 is also 8.5 and graduated from happy meals last summer. He only eats chicken nuggets though, often leaves half the fries and drink. He wouldn't be able to finish an adult sized burger meal even if he liked them. He's one of the tallest (although) youngest in his class and slim rather than skinny.

Other DC moved on at around 10 but they're all burger lovers.

Can’t remember ds1, but ds2 was about 11/12 when he started having a large meal- and he was as tall as me by then!

I don't think DS1 would've been satisfied with a Happy Meal at 8.5yo. He is very greedy but fortunately for him he's over 6ft and plays county level sport 2/3x a week. 7yo DS2 doesn't finish a Happy Meal, I don't see that changing any time soon

They are always whippet thin Aridane, and at least 6 foot 3. Nobody ever has a short chubster.

Year 7 i found was the trigger for an adult meal, although i often see hoards of teenage girls in maccies picking at a happy meal and a Diet Coke.

When ours were that age they always had a regular adult dinner in normal resraurants. I hate how the childrens options are just junkie stuff.
My dd worked in macd and they were trained to always offer a size up. Amazing how many took it when offered

DS 7 is tall and athletic, and considers a McDonalds the ultimate treat. He can't finish a Happy Meal though. His little brother, on the other hand, who is 2, can demolish one. I can't see the little one lasting til he's 8, but the big one might still be eating them at 30. Heaven knows what he runs on.

Sorry @DoJo it was a combination of half reading while cooking it, expecting it on aibu and hearing similar. I read into it. Apologies

They are always whippet thin Aridane, and at least 6 foot 3. Nobody ever has a short chubster

DS2 was a plump toddler, then thin pre/early school age, was chubby for a while about age 10/11, slimmed out again, was a fat 14 year old and is now a slim 17 year old.....and is 6'3... :o

I eat happy meals and I’m 27.

@LyingWitchInTheWardrobe the most fabulous Pelmeni (trying to spell in English). Basically sausage meat dumpling covered in butter and black pepper. Comfort food mmmmm

Ohhh... recipe please!

Tbf mine is noticeably slightly built, it’s partly why I asked. Just about average height but small boned and very lean. Healthy, but probably a good 5+ kg off averag. So it was in part serious. He’s not underweight, but he’s usually the leanest in any crowd and not that tall (like er... his parents I guess)

My super skinny 4 and 2 year olds finish off a happy meal, can't see them eating happy meals beyond 6ish. All kids are different

@LyingWitchInTheWardrobe this is close vikalinka.com/meat-dumplings-pelmeni/

To be made in bulk and not alone, you freeze them easily. I use an egg cup to cut. Freeze on cardboard or trays then bag

My 9 year old son hasn’t had a happy meal for a couple of years...but he does have a good appetite and tends to enjoy more “adult” food I.e. spicy, sushi, curries etc...

My 6 & 4 year olds will have a happy meal..

Mine (6 and 4) would probably do a box of 20 between them [don't worry I would never let that happen] but they wouldn't touch the chips or anything else.

When we go to Mac D, I get them 6 nuggets each... that's it. Must look like the most joyless meal ever but it's what they want

It depends on the child I think, just give them the choice - my youngest usually likes a plain cheeseburger now and the older one likes 6 nuggets and carrots, probably not much different to a happy meal. We usually give the kids' friends the choice when they come out on these treats (rare) and some do and some don't choose Happy Meals.

• Both of mine are average height and slim build.

Ah bit its Mcdonalds @Aridane if we were talking about a tea that consisted of unsual but very health things the tall ,active very skinny kids would be eating it by the bucketload as its Mcdonalds the same children struggle to finish it

Why would anyone feed their children the muck from McDonalds? Full of all sorts of rubbish - same with KFC.

QuickSloeGin, thank you so much! Off to check that out right now.

Come on Traymilk, you must know that people are different, some like Mcd, some don't, hardly a cause for such derision.

As a treat MilkTray? I dont see anyone suggesting they only feed their kids Mcdonalds or KFC, you may think its rubbish but many kids love it