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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not take the DSC out with again to a meal in the near future?

156 replies

SulaHula · 06/09/2019 21:14

DSC are picky and always have been. We took them to an activity they both wanted to do and stopped at a drive thru diner for food on the way. They are very limited in what they will eat but we went over the menu together and this seemed safe as it was a burger and chips kind of place. DSS ordered a burger, chips and milkshake. DSD ordered a fried chicken sandwich, chips and milkshake. They only ate the chips and binned the rest having taken one bite/sip. It's such a HUGE waste of food and money. There are six of us in total and meals out aren't cheap. It kills me to watch yet another meal make its way into the bin. I've told DH I just don't want to take them out again any time soon as I'm just sick of it. He thinks IABU. I've said we should just take pack ups for them when we do days out. AIBU?

OP posts:
KurriKurri · 06/09/2019 21:32

How old are they ? I wouldn't not take them out again but I would just get them chips. If you are going out for the day I would take pack ups as you say - we always did that anyway because eating out is so expensive if you are a bigger family. And take their own drinks that they like in bottles.
It's frustrating when they waste food - but if they are quite young I think you have to find a balance between letting them try new things and not letting them waste huge amounts - young children's eyes are often bigger than their stomachs.

(Different if they are teenagers or over about 10 - I'd expect older ones to have some idea of what they like and how hungry they are)

Sparrowlegs248 · 06/09/2019 21:34

Take packed lunches and DEFINITELY take drinks. If you do stop to eat, get them chips.

WorraLiberty · 06/09/2019 21:35

Could you not have fed them before leaving home?

Either way, a packed lunch/dinner is a good idea.

violashift · 06/09/2019 21:38

My Dd is the same. I can't not buy her food though. It's just one of those things. It happens.
Sometimes I do just get her a bowl of chips if we eat out.

HerRoyalNotness · 06/09/2019 21:46

I’m with you. What kind of kid doesn’t like a burger! Pack ups for the foreseeable and if they complain tell them why.

dollydaydream114 · 06/09/2019 21:50

YANBU. Either take them a packed lunch or just buy them a bowl of chips if they're that fussy. It's not worth the stress.

My nieces and nephews were ultra-fussy when they were little (actually, the two middle ones still are) and after my parents had watched umpteen totally innocuous meals get binned on days out, they just shrugged and let them order chips or ice creams every time. It's not remotely healthy but it's worth it on an occasional day out just to bypass the stress and tension of all that whiny 'It's not exactly the same texture as the chicken nuggets we have at home' business and watching them pick sesame seeds off a burger bun.

summersherewishiwasnt · 06/09/2019 21:51

Packed lunch every time. Don’t even ask.

Notcontent · 06/09/2019 21:53

How old are the children? What do they usually eat? Contrary to popular opinion, some children just don’ like burgers or milkshakes....

DDIJ · 06/09/2019 21:54

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

roses2 · 06/09/2019 21:57

Take packed lunch next time but why bin the food? Can't you save it for yourself to eat later?

WorraLiberty · 06/09/2019 22:04

Don't take them out again.

Surely the OP can take them out again but minus the takeaway?

No point in missing activities.

Original poster
SulaHula · 06/09/2019 22:08

Children are 16 and 13. They like burgers etc that's why we picked this place. But it wasn't the "right burger and the milkshake tasted weird apparently. The fight comes with DH who doesn't do any of the meal planning and would never make a pack up. He'd rather buy the food and have them bin it. I'd rather not spend weekends making pack ups. DSS will only eat hot food so pack ups are a nightmare anyway. But I'd rather he bins the pack-up.

OP posts:
DoctorAllcome · 06/09/2019 22:08

Drive through diner? The food was probably crap and the only safe thing to eat the chips/fries. I think you are being unreasonable to buy crap fast food and then whine when they wouldn’t eat disgusting fast food. Maybe actually buy them nice food for a change?

CCquavers · 06/09/2019 22:08

Definitely stop eating out. Take packed lunch every time. Tbh I wouldn’t waste my money buying chips out. Sounds like they’re not big eaters so a stash of cereal bars and rice crackers would probably do just fine.

EmeraldShamrock · 06/09/2019 22:11

Yanbu. Let them bring a packed lunch the next time while you and DH enjoy a burger.

Freddiefox · 06/09/2019 22:13

Thing is all children have bits and parts of their personalitly that can be frustrating.
Dsc are
Picky eaters maybe yours are loud or whingy, they are all just learning. Just let them get on with it and support were you can

MartiniDry · 06/09/2019 22:13

16 and 13? 😮 I thought you were going to say something like six and three, which I might of had a little sympathy with.

At 16 and 13 there more than old enough to appreciate that people spend money on them which doesn't grow on trees and more than old enough to have some manners. I'll give them an ultimatum, either you eat what you have ordered next time or in future we take a packed lunch and if you don't like it, tough.

MartiniDry · 06/09/2019 22:14
  • might HAVE, not might of!
ohcarriemathison · 06/09/2019 22:17

My son can be really fussy.
Sometimes we just get him Chios when our as he is so particular about brands etc
He wouldn't eat a burger. He's fussy about sausages but always loves chips !

likeafishneedsabike · 06/09/2019 22:17

16 and 13!!!!!!!
Well, that makes it simple. If they don’t like the food out and about, they can make their own sarnies.

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 06/09/2019 22:19

Thing is all children have bits and parts of their personalitly that can be frustrating.
Dsc are
Picky eaters maybe yours are loud or whingy, they are all just learning. Just let them get on with it and support were you can

^this!!

Eat before you go out/when you get home.

Or just get them chips

HollyGoLoudly1 · 06/09/2019 22:23

We rarely take DSD out for food unless it's unavoidable for the same reasons. She's picky, not a very big eater at the best of times and wastes so much of her meal. She's just as happy, in fact probably more so, eating at home. We almost always do picnics if we're out for the day, saves money and waste.

WhyBirdStop · 06/09/2019 22:26

At that age they are being rude. They must know what they like and don't and should order appropriately. As they are nearing adulthood they should recognise not everything you are given will be exactly to your taste but if it's food you generally like and is edible, and you're hungry you eat it. If you're not hungry you politely decline or order a drink/a small side that you will like, chips in their case. Are they like this with their mother OP?

BumbleBeee69 · 06/09/2019 22:29

at 16 and 13 it's taking the ripping PISS. Hmm

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 06/09/2019 22:30

No, they’re not being rude. If its a place they’ve never been before, they have no idea if the burger is the same as ones they’ve had elsewhere, this is their evening meal, they’re hungry, they think a burger is a safe bet, they try it, it’s not nice, so they eat their chips. It’s not rude to try something and find you don’t like it. No-one should feel they have to eat anything they don’t like. It’s incredibly bad manners to expect someone to eat something they don’t like just because you’ve provided/ paid for it.

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