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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think letting your kids eat McDonald's with you at least 4 times a week is disgusting?

333 replies

FourEyedFreak13 · 07/08/2020 21:12

Just that basically. I've recently noticed since lockdown has been lifted a neighbour heading out almost every night (sometimes afternoon) with their kids and coming back a short time later with McDonald's. It's been at least 4 times this week that I've. Noticed, I only noticed cause our dog is always sitting on the back of the sofa looking out the window and barks when the neighbours leave/come back. The kids are in and around the age of 7/8 (or there abouts) they did this pre-lockdown too, though.

I will add I am under no circumstances a Saint or healthy eater, I do eat takeaways, McDonald's etc. And feel bad judging but I feel like this is an awful way to feed your young kids especially at 9pm at night. So yeah AIBU? Happy to be called a judgmental bitch here.

OP posts:
Cryalot2 · 07/08/2020 23:19

Who knows exactly why they eat there.
As an adult with dietary problems , I know I can get a meal there ..The food will be local.and we have the opportunity to donate the change to Roland McDonalds housing .
Who knows , but they are getting a hot meal which is better than going hungry, which many kids do .

Komacho · 07/08/2020 23:21

@MadameMeursault

And if they’ve got SN and it’s all they will eat - well they must have been given it at some point in the past to get a taste for it mustn’t they?

🙄🙄🙄

mylittlesandwich · 07/08/2020 23:22

Oh I'd love a McDonald's now, DS is too young for one so I occasionally pick one up and have a late dinner when he's in bed.

Original poster
FourEyedFreak13 · 07/08/2020 23:22

@madamemeursault I'm guessing parents of SEN/Fussy eaters/whatever else has been suggested/mentioned on here, have tried their kids with McDonald's as a last resort to try and make them eat?

The amount of salt in it can't be good though.

OP posts:
BetterEatCheese · 07/08/2020 23:24

@FourEyedFreak13 a nice laugh? At judging someones choices about how to feed their kids?

Every week there are 3 meals a day times 7, so 21 meals. 4 are McDonald's. It's really not that bad. Also lockdown has really screwed with routines in my house so dinner later isn't a rarity any more.

LibrariesGiveUsPower · 07/08/2020 23:27

Of course McDonald’s 4 times a week is unhealthy, but so is your preoccupation with their daily routine.

Annabanana1234 · 07/08/2020 23:27

I’m not sure disgusting is the word I’d use but neglectful is one I would. I’ve no issue with the occasional treat but the lack of nutrition and high fat and salt levels would worry me.

ktp100 · 07/08/2020 23:27

OP, everyone knows it's not healthy to let your kids eat McDonalds food 4 times a week. No dietician or nutritionist in the World would OK that and I doubt many parents would feel awfully proud of themselves for it BUT if you don't know them well enough to know their circumstances it's probably best to mind your beak!

Unless you know better, they could be going through something really shit & finding a little bit of comfort from it and it won't hurt short-term.

If that's just what they do normally though it is pretty shit.

SemperIdem · 07/08/2020 23:30

I’d judge the shit out of that.

StormyInTheNorth · 07/08/2020 23:31

I just came on to say, I adore McDonalds. I fucking love it. I have disordered eating, due to ASC, it has been found, not an ED. 2 Hamburgers and small fries is my absolute favourite meal and I'm 36. I can't help it. I've tried healthier food and I have trained myself to eat it, but all I really want is hamburgers and small fries, or crisps or kitkats.

Sorry, OP. I reckon you may not know the full story. Your thread however, makes me feel like I should hide the bags inside another bag if I get McDonalds when DD is with me. We don't get it often because I try to limit her. If it was just me with the 50% off. Yep. I'd live there.

Missthechips · 07/08/2020 23:32

Yum...McDonalds...Grin

YABU for being such a nosey neighbour though YANBU for pointing out that that much McDonalds is probably not good for you, especially kids. I love junk food and I'm a classified fatty and this makes me even more aware to not feed my DC crap that I love

theBelgranoSisters · 07/08/2020 23:42

Love my maccas-cant see the problem?-far worse things going on in peoples lives than a maccas for tea. Not everyone wants or has to eat healthy at every meal.Mind your own business and stop twitching them curtains.

MonkeyToesOfDoom · 07/08/2020 23:43

@Annabanana1234

I’m not sure disgusting is the word I’d use but neglectful is one I would. I’ve no issue with the occasional treat but the lack of nutrition and high fat and salt levels would worry me.
No. Using the word 'Neglectful' minimises truly.neglectful parents. There's kids out there that have no food, kids that have to go through school bins to find something to eat. That's neglectful.
crimsonclover · 07/08/2020 23:46

Many parents have been through the hardest 4 month parenting they'll ever have. Give them a break. The kids are being fed. If you see them trying to eat food out of your bin - then it's your job to get involved.

jackdawdawn · 07/08/2020 23:50

@crimsonclover, this is true and I must admit to guilt over the number of takeaways we have had since March. Plus I have also gone through menopause over the past six months, unmedicated. I would like to claim exceptional hardship in my defence! 😊

Original poster
FourEyedFreak13 · 07/08/2020 23:51

I'd just like to point out for the 100th time but maybe in better terms. My house and all houses on the street are on the street. You can see everything that happens outside your door without any effort or movement from the sofa. If it is SEN etc. Then I apologise for being so judge-y however most of you are just as judge-y about me (and my dog) now without really knowing anything except my original post.

And I'm only going off what I've heard and that is that this week is not the only week that theyve been eating McDonald's so much, from what I've heard it is a pretty consistent thing pre-covid

OP posts:
SemperIdem · 07/08/2020 23:51

Monkey

What you describe is extreme neglect. That doesn’t mean no other type exists.

Desertislanddreamer · 07/08/2020 23:53

I think you need to mind your own business.

LaurieFairyCake · 07/08/2020 23:59

9pm - they're going out for an ice cream

It's hot 🤷‍♀️, kids eat ice cream. I know I ate one every day on holiday as a child.

EmiIyStAubert · 08/08/2020 00:01

"Of course McDonald’s 4 times a week is unhealthy, but so is your preoccupation with their daily routine."

Agree with this. Strange thread.

Thurmanmurman · 08/08/2020 00:03

Worry about your own kids beaky.

Survivingchipandkippee · 08/08/2020 00:07

So not only are you judging your taking about it to other neighbours on the street.

MumsyMumIAmNot · 08/08/2020 00:09

It is disgusting you are right. Poor kids being fed such crap. Your neighbour wont be getting any 'best mum' awards.

Bringonspring · 08/08/2020 00:13

McDonald’s is the food of gods

Sweettea1 · 08/08/2020 00:20

Could be worse I suppose could not be getting fed at all