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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To give my 18 month old Macdonalds?

543 replies

Benji4ever · 20/08/2022 11:42

Twice a month I take my two DS swimming all afternoon. On way home we get a drive through Macdonalds

The 3 year old has a happy meal. The 18 month old has a few of the chips. That's it.

I saw a mum give me one of those looks as I took some chips from the happy meal and gave them to the little one.

Is this awful? Its only twice a month and only a few chips. Also the 18 month old drink diluted squash regularly.

Aibu to think in the grand scheme of things its not that bad?

OP posts:
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5
LilacPoppy · 20/08/2022 11:45

Why squash and not water? That's more odd than a few fries.

TheOnlyBeeInYourBonnet · 20/08/2022 11:46

I agree, sugary (or sugary tasting) drinks is worse than fries.

NuffSaidSam · 20/08/2022 11:47

It's fine.

I would go for water over squash as a regular thing if possible though.

jeaux90 · 20/08/2022 11:48

It's fine. I'd be careful about the sugar but the odd happy meal is ok.

foxy86 · 20/08/2022 11:48

A few fries isn’t going to hurt and ppl have given their 18 month old worse than that before I’m sure. I remember 6 month olds being fed milky bar chocolate to pacify them. So long as your kid is being fed what does it matter.

Cinnabomb · 20/08/2022 11:49

Mine has had the odd Mac Donald’s since she was about that age, mainly in travel days she eats it in the car when we wouldn’t be able to give her a normal dinner. No issue if it’s occasional, not really
much worse than supermarket brand chicken nuggets which most people wouldn’t bat an eyelid at.

disagree with the juice tho as it will get to the stage where they will likely refuse water

BryceQuinlanTheFirst · 20/08/2022 11:49

Some people will think this is appalling others will think it's fine. You always face judgement as a parent whatever you do. We pick our battles. My son is autistic and I get the worst looks constantly. You have to just brush them off.

What age would you give the 18m old their own macdonalds?

woq · 20/08/2022 11:49

Imo it's very young to be giving them something that barely qualifies as food.

LampLighter414 · 20/08/2022 11:50

Yes I wouldn’t personally. All those trans fats can’t be good for a baby’s tiny vascular system.

Home made, organic only for us

awwbiscuits · 20/08/2022 11:50

Honestly can't get mad about any of it. You do you.

NewThisSummer · 20/08/2022 11:50

It's fine.

dementedpixie · 20/08/2022 11:50

At 18 months old they could handle a chicken nugget too!

I dont think a few chips is an issue at all

PuddingBear · 20/08/2022 11:51

It’s McDonalds. And that isn’t the issue - the squash is.

MolliciousIntent · 20/08/2022 11:52

Tbh I wouldn't be impressed with your 3yr old having a happy meal. Chips I couldn't get worked up about, but meat from McDonald's is so incredibly processed and full of salt and other shit, I absolutely would not give that to a child.

RE the diluted squash, I think that's a bad call for a kid so young - all they need is water and milk - it will just give them a taste for sweet stuff and that will cause lots of problems down the line.

NewThisSummer · 20/08/2022 11:52

LampLighter414 · 20/08/2022 11:50

Yes I wouldn’t personally. All those trans fats can’t be good for a baby’s tiny vascular system.

Home made, organic only for us

Are you serious?

WonderingWanda · 20/08/2022 11:53

50/50 so far, I'm surprised. I think fine occasionally if the diet is good the rest of the time.

Not everyone can has the time or money for entirely homemade organic food all the time and honestly there are so many environmental pollutants in our world that I think the odd MacDonalds is the least of your worries.

SaltySeaWitch · 20/08/2022 11:53

It’s not going to kill them. We are a very active, athletic family and have the occasional Macdonalds. And, heaven forbid, my preschoolers drink diluted squash.

Yerroblemom1923 · 20/08/2022 11:53

Too young to start them on a fast food addiction imo. My dd didn't have a McDonalds until she was over 5 as she was invited to a birthday party. We also didn't let her have fizzy drinks and to this day she's not mad on them.
The lure of McDonalds will get to them eventually so there's no need to introduce them to a crappy diet prematurely. Just pack a butty and some snacks eg banana, hummus and cucumber sticks etc cheaper too.

bakehimawaytoys · 20/08/2022 11:55

It's the salt that would put me off - their kidneys aren't developed enough to handle salty Maccers fries. I would definitely give a nugget or two though!

AllPlayedOut · 20/08/2022 11:55

meat from McDonald's is so incredibly processed and full of salt and other shit, I absolutely would not give that to a child.

It's not "health food" but what's so incredibly processed about their U.K burgers?

From their website: Our beef burgers are made from whole cuts of British and Irish beef, with just a pinch of salt and pepper added after cooking.

Kindofcrunchy · 20/08/2022 11:55

LampLighter414 · 20/08/2022 11:50

Yes I wouldn’t personally. All those trans fats can’t be good for a baby’s tiny vascular system.

Home made, organic only for us

Ahh, we can only aspire to be like @LLampLighter414 .

If it's not a regular thing a few chips won't do any harm. I'd probably let my toddler eat a happy meal but since he refuses to eat anything but apples and peanut butter atm, I can but dream.

Terriblethirtytwos · 20/08/2022 11:57

Personally, I wouldn’t give McDonald’s to the 18m old or the three year old. Or the squash. But I wouldn’t think you’re a terrible parent for doing so. And even if I did (or anyone else), it’s just a different way of doing things and neither is right or wrong.

Angelicapickles1 · 20/08/2022 11:58

Yep its fine its not like it was their first weaning food. Only thing is I would make sure he drank water with it as they can be saltier than other fries

PortalooSunset · 20/08/2022 11:59

Every day yes, occasionally no.
Ditch the squash though.

Hidingawaytoday · 20/08/2022 11:59

We stopped at a MacDonalds for lunch during a long journey a few weeks ago and I gave a few fries and a chicken nuggets to my then 10 month old. The vast majority of the time she eats food I've made so 🤷‍♀️