McDonalds every week?

[Butterflyflower1234]

I'm wondering AIBU to think giving children a McDonalds every week is too much?

My DP has three lovely DC and every week he takes them to McDonalds. Usually this is every Monday as he seems them for dinner but he missed it this week so he's taken them to McDonalds tonight 'as they missed out on Monday'.

The DC are coming home tonight so it now means that it's just us eating instead of us all eating together.

I have raised before that it won't harm them not to have a McDonalds every week but because they are used to it, they now expect it every week.

I think this is a classic Disney Dad move but of course I can't say too much as I'm not a parent. I just wondered what peoples opinions are?

Meh. It’s what he does with his children. Hard to get worked up a little this.

I’m fairly relaxed about food but even I think that’s too much.

If they usually eat well during the week, I don't see the problem.

They don't eat well generally. I think the nutrient in McDonalds might not be that bad but I think it's more the fact that a treat should exactly be that, a treat. Not a weekly expected thing.

I feel bad for the DC mum as I don't think she takes them out for McDonalds often due to money so it feels a bit bad for her.

I'd think it was fine once a week as a treat

Yes it’s fine!! Stress not!

We seem to end up in one at some point most weeks
I have lean, ribby DCs so I'm not worried from that angle. At least they get some salad on their wraps and burgers too. It's obviously no great health food, but there is worse out there.

Don't worry about it. Fine.

Why can’t you have a treat on a weekly basis?

I do it once a week/once every two weeks with my DS. It's something he enjoys, it's not breaking into my finances too much and he eats healthily at all other times. We make a day out of it and it's something I can usually reliably ensure he will eat, rather than doing something off piste (which I would rather) and him wasting food.

I'm relaxed about food generally, but I think that's too much. One in 7 dinners is from McDonald's? Not great tbh, but nothing I'd make a fuss about either.

It’s a burger and chips, not crack.

It’s 1 dinner meal out of 7 in a week.

How is it any worse than chips, nuggets and baked beans, or pasta pesto or toad in the hole? Just because it’s McDonald’s somehow it’s a problem p, McDonald’s have done a lot in recent years with the food nuggets 100% chicken breast, they do fruit, organic milk

Also they are his children so his call, he is the parent and can treat them as he sees fit.

If the mum can’t afford it, all the more reason for him to treat them then what’s the alternative they never have anything incase it upsets mum

I take my kids to macdonalds after their weekly athletics session... Held outside.. In the dark... Anything to keep them moving.

I do think it's too much and will be thinking of something better soon...

Once a week is probably fine if they eat balanced meals the rest of the week. Seems a bit unfair though that dad is taking up the crap food quota, so putting the pressure on mum to get them eating healthy food the rest of the time.

Once a week is fine - we used to get chips weekly post an activity.

However, not necessary to go tonight if missed Monday.

It’s no big deal. It’s only a McDonald’s. What do you think it’s going to do to them?

I’m with @P1nkHeartLovesCake

It’s just food.

Once a week? So what?

No big deal.

Depends what they’re having at McDonalds, really. Fish finger happy meal and a fruit bag isn’t the end of the world, is it? I couldn’t get worked up over a three bean wrap and a fruit shoot. If it’s quarter pounder and chips once a week with a chocolate milkshake, it’s not brilliant diet-wise, but again, one meal a week in the context of an otherwise great diet? Meh.

I could think of better things to do with treat money. £20 a week soon adds up.

I don't see McDonalds as a treat- simply as a convenience.
My DD (19 ) has an otherwise healthy diet, loads of fruit & veg,. but her schedule is packed.
Sometimes a McDonalds is the sensible option. Not a treat though.

Not a big deal imo

If he is doing it because he can’t be arsed to cook for his own kids then it’s possibly lazy parenting, but taking your kids to McDonald’s every week is not bad parenting.

DS used to have McDonald’s once a week on his way home from nursery on a Friday, as he’d be shattered and asleep by the time we got home.

So I used to go home via the drive thru which would a - work as a good bribe to avoid the tired tantrum, and b - mean he’d eaten and would sleep all night. Used to transfer him from car to bed job done.

Yes that is also probably lazy parenting and I don’t even care

McDonalds for the win!

Thanks for the replies. I think you've put my mind at ease. Thanks.