To want to faint in McDonalds?

[TheLowestFlyer]

DH has slowly introduced a regime of positive reinforcement that, for a wide range of reasons, means I have to take the DC to McDonalds once a month for a sit down meal. This produces a physical response in me that makes me want to, first, gag and then faint. I assume it must be the vaporised oil in the air, the terrible food odours and weird and discoloured plastic decor (and the hyperactive and frankly unappealing toddlers screaming around whenever we go?). Whatever it is, it triggers a really intense response from me and I basically dread these scheduled outings and have to choke back vomiting for the whole meal.

Unfortunately the DC have become really emotionally invested in these going to MacDonalds (to what I think is a really unhealthy level) and DH's schedule means that I am unquestionably the only one who can take then. How do I extricate myself from going to McDonalds? Has anyone else weaned their DC from depending fast food? They genuinely love it, especially the earth-killing toys they abandon minutes after leaving

I think that if the positive reinforcement is going so well that you might consider increasing the treat from McDonald's to another treat.
All the eat in provision at fast food places is much of a muchness re easy clean surfaces and lots of kids.
Is there anything else open who CJ might be similarly priced but less onerous than McDs? For example 'as you guys have been so extra good this week instead of just going to McDs to eat your nuggets we'll get takeaway and go for a picnic and play on the swings/get tickets for a miniature train/hire a rowing boat for 20 mins etc.' So the letter of the agreed reinforcement is adhered to but you've removed the bits you are struggling with.
Where in the world are you OP?

"No, I won't be doing that."

Take them somewhere else? Learn to say no to them? Is your partner controlling in other ways?

Stench?? Its burgers and chips FFS. We may have ordered a few McDonald's this Easter hols via justeat. Creme egg McFlurrys are the best.

To be honest I know where you're coming from and I'm no drama queen. Certain branches are ok but some that aren't as clean really make me cringe and I can't wait to get out of there. I don't have a problem with the food it's the layer of grease on the floor and the dropped bits of food and sauce that I just cannot stand. KFC is worse (or it is round where I live).

If I were you I'd tell your husband he needs to be the one to take them. Or, if it's only once a month and the kids absolutely loved it I would suck it up for their sake.

Just say no and find an alternative place to visit. I understand that a 'treat' or a meal out can be a reward for good or even just acceptable behaviour, but it should not be something that harms their health potentially.

Your massive overreaction aside, this is a treat your husband has devised so he should be the one taking them. I would have taken this stance from the beginning and stayed home (on the condition he brought me back at least a chocolate milkshake).

Have you ever been to a Greggs? Please don’t, you might have a severe reaction.

You'll have to find a schedule that works - one, where he takes them instead, if it affects you this much.

I understand reactions to thing that people may call dramatic or overblown but the issue isn't your reaction. It's that you feel you don't have a choice and YOU DO. Tell him about your reaction and TELL him to take them.

If he already knows about it and still insists you take them, then you have a DH problem, as mumsnet would say.

Try Burger King? They may use a different kind of vaporised oil?

You're in australia? Most of us are in the Uk. You'd have more luck posting in an Aussie chat room/ forum.

@DustOnTheWind

How do you feel about The Sistine Chapel?

🤣🤣🤣

If it was DHs project on positive reinforcement, then he needs to be the implementor of said reinforcement - as it was not your idea and is having very negative impacts on you!

DH has slowly introduced a regime of positive reinforcement
A what ?

Why do you need to be desensitised to Mac Donald’s? Do you have sensory problems? Even if you did I’d question this method and your DH’s role....

Tell your DH to fuck off and take the dc to MacDonalds himself if he thinks it’s so important. You take them for a milkshake/cake/ice cream somewhere pleasant.

If it’s the light and noise op are you prone to migraines? I get nauseous when I have a migraine, mine can be triggered by bright fluorescent lights and loud noises . If I were you I’d go in and order to take out. I doubt the kids will care where they’re eating it.

OP, do you mean "regimen", not "regime"? People do mistake the two when there're talking about routines.

They're*

@Wankerchief

Ive got so many questions

1:why?

😂😂😂

I hear that immersion / desensitization therapy can be good OP.

Kill him.

I've never taken my children to MacDonalds - it is not compulsory. They are grown up now and one loves fast food and the other doesn't so I don't think it makes any difference what you do - so do what you enjoy.

Say no.
If he wants this to happen, he takes them himself.

You don't actually have to obey him.

How do you feel about The Sistine Chapel?

😂 this was my first thought too!

In all seriousness though, can your DH really not take 2 hours out of his month to take the DCs to McDonalds?

DH has slowly introduced a regime of positive reinforcement that, for a wide range of reasons, means I have to take the DC to McDonalds once a month for a sit down meal.
Can you explain a bit more about the reasons, about why DH is doing this but you’re the one affected, who or what is being positively reinforced, etc etc?