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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

McDonald’s isn’t a ‘treat’

265 replies

Busybeebeebee · 15/11/2019 16:26

I’ll try and keep this simples.

Both my sons go to their dad alternate weekends Friday 4pm- Sunday 3pm.
On a Friday when he picks them up, they go to McDonald’s for tea.
Saturday they tend to go somewhere like Brewers Fayre which although is marginally better still processed chicken crap with fries and a token corn on the cob.
Sunday it’s back to McDonald’s for lunch.

He genuinely sees no issue with this.

AIBU?

YABU - yes, all kids like McDonald’s and twice in a weekend is fine.

YANBU - cooking something decent for growing kids twice a fortnight isn’t difficult!

Don’t get me wrong, in an emergency I would stop and grab them something in McDonald’s but I can’t get my head around it being something to get excited about. 4 shitty nuggets, tiny portion of fries and a milkshake. They don’t even like the toys.

I hold my hands up, I’m not a food nazi or anything like that, I just genuinely am astounded.

OP posts:
MsTSwift · 15/11/2019 16:28

Yanbu. How lame lazy and unhealthy

Samcro · 15/11/2019 16:29

its not a "treat" if it happens that often.

AryaStarkWolf · 15/11/2019 16:29

I mean it's not going to kill them but he does sound like a lazy fucker, he could make a bit more of an effort considering he only has them a few days every month

Autumntoowet · 15/11/2019 16:29

It is lazy.
And twice a weekend every time they are together is going to get pretty boring too

MrsTWH · 15/11/2019 16:30

YANBU - even every Friday eve is fine, but it’s pathetic he can’t cook them something healthier on a Sunday.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 15/11/2019 16:30

Eurgh. I was going to say that it's fine every now and again but that's not every now and again... he has them for six meals, and three of them are junk processed food, two are breakfast?! That's really lazy and awful.

I don't think there's a huge amount you can do about it if he isn't willing to change it, and I work with a few men who seem to do similar, but I share your irritation.

WagtailRobin · 15/11/2019 16:30

So two weekends a month but the rest of the time with you they eat healthier food?

I don't see a problem with that at all, unless their weight is more than it should be? Two weekends a month in my opinion is a treat, it equates to 4 days out of 30/31.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 15/11/2019 16:30

He’s either lazy or wanting to be the fun parent - either way YANBU

Goodnightjude1 · 15/11/2019 16:31

Yanbu. On the odd occasion, fair enough....but I would be happy if my kids were fed Crapdonalds twice in a weekend.

Goodnightjude1 · 15/11/2019 16:32

*wouldn’t

Grasspigeons · 15/11/2019 16:33

Whats his accommodation like ? I sort of see if you arent with your children much you dont want to spend it cooking but i do think 2 McDonalds and a brewers fayer is a bit much. It means that you cant ever do the 'treat' meals as you have to compensate.

NC4this123 · 15/11/2019 16:33

I think he’s stupid, what a waste of money - but if they eat well with you I’d just let it go

HowlsMovingBungalow · 15/11/2019 16:34

So can he not cook?

Loosenisous · 15/11/2019 16:34

Piss poor parenting. No way would I accept this. YANBU

Raphael34 · 15/11/2019 16:34

It’s twice a month and I bet your kids love it. It wouldn’t bother me as long as they are fed

Amanduh · 15/11/2019 16:35

It’s lazy, but it’s chicken nuggets and a few chips. Meh.

InDubiousBattle · 15/11/2019 16:35

I wouldn't worry too much about it. It amounts to 1 meal a week and tbh fish fingers and chips isn't going to do them any harm. How old are they? My eldest is almost 6 and even though mine have it much less often the 'treat' factor is already wearing off- they like one when we're going through a big train station but wouldn't see it as a big treat.

GettingABitDesperateNow · 15/11/2019 16:35

It's shit to to twice in one weekend. It's hardly a massive effort to do pasta and sauce or shove a pizza in the oven or something. Also what would annoy me is that when you're busy or knackered or ill, you will probably push yourself to make them healthy food in the week instead of giving yourself a break and getting junk food as you know they will be having 3 junky meals at the weekend

EmmiJay · 15/11/2019 16:37

Pffft. Tell him Angus Steakhouse is a treat 🙄 (tongue in cheek) lol

Floralnomad · 15/11/2019 16:38

I don’t think it’s got anything to do with whether McDonald’s is a treat or not , it sounds like pure idleness from their father , can he not even make a sandwich ? Was he that useless when you were together .

Concestor · 15/11/2019 16:39

YANBU. I'd not want my kids eating crap for the entire weekend. It's so bad for them. He's lazy and a bad parent.

malloo · 15/11/2019 16:39

Not on. They need to eat something better than that. Loads of easy things you can buy from the supermarket that would be much healthier, he needs to put some effort in.

GooodMythicalMorning · 15/11/2019 16:39

I mean it's not great health wise, but It wouldn't be enough for me to get annoyed about but then I'd call it a treat too. I love a McDonald's. Don't have it once a week though as can't afford it.

User12879923378 · 15/11/2019 16:40

I think McDs or similar is a treat if you're eating normally for the rest of the weekend (or going to restaurants with halfway decent food) but what you have described is drifting into the arena of can't be bothered. Which is a shame.

BlueLips · 15/11/2019 16:41

As a one off YWBU, every time YADNBU.