Not to be miserable forced to sit two hours in McDonalds near a motorway?

[Maninadirndl]

I'm a nature child born and bred. My garden is a paradise on a hot day, an oasis of cool shady apple and plum trees, herbs and a small veg garden for my organic attempt at life. I grow my own veg, watch River Cottage and Gardeners World almost religiously and own a wood burning Austrian tile stove.

So the invite last week to spend two hours whilst my daughter went to a friend's birthday party was quite a culture shock. From planting up geraniums in their boxes for the summer in the morning to the concrete and metal of McDonalds just off a major European Autobahn was quite a culture shock. My daughter sat in this stuffy red London bus for the party whilst I clackety-clacked with some German mothers who were very nice and friendly but a world away from mine. I found it hell. The children climbed up awful plastic climbing thingies to the soundtrack of roaring cars and lorries with the blare of MTV out of nearby speakers.

The idea of a treat was chips and cola and a bag of goodies filled with sweet rubbish from a major corporation filled one who has been trying so hard to feed his kids on organic natural home grown food where possible, with revulsion.

Upon telling others how much I hated the experience no one really understood my point of view. Is there anyone who also hates these so called "great places for the kids"?

YANBU
It's not my idea of a party but my DC enjoy that kind of thing once in a while, so I don't stand in their way.

Is this a windup? ''Wood burning Austrian tile stove''

It reads like an article from Red magazine.

It was a child's party "treat". Yes they are not the best places in this world, but we do go occasionally although have never been to a party at one.

You need to chill a little.

Okay for an occasional treat. It's hardly an everyday occurence for most is it.

You don't need to like it. It's their party, not yours.

wasn't there a local garden centre or something you could wander round whilst child was at the party?

(what do i do with tomato plants? do i just leave them to grow,or do i need to "pinch off" new shoots etc?....got no clue)

See I don't understand this either/or mindset.

You don't actually have to choose you know. I am mildly obsessed with the good life, cook carefully, grow what I can, buy organic etc. But sometimes I head down to the pub with friends and pour down a couple of pints and eat chips with stacks of salt.

DS eats an excellent diet with involves mostly organic vegetables/meats/wholegrains and we swing by Maccas for parties/on motorways/playgrounds etc. Sometimes I even let him grab a treat from the shop!

OR is a bad word AND is much nicer.

i'm sure the german mothers were simply thrilled that someone who watches river cottage and gardeners world religiously deigned to clickety clack with them, it must have been the highlight of their day.
yanbu for not enjoying a mcdonalds on the autobahn.
yabu for writing an enormous amount of superflous tripe rather than just saying "aibu for thinking a kids party in mcdonalds is my idea of hell"

Agree with the OP . I hate those tacky, sugary, greasy children's parties in vile surroundings with a vengeance.

It's not about you, love. Come done to earth and realise it's for your CHILD, not you. As most things will be for the next so many years. Best to get used to it now, eh?

I thought you'd make an appearance Anna.

'Upon telling others how much I hated the experience no one really understood my point of view. '

YABU. I hate it too and am very pleased that now they are older I never have to set foot in the place again. However it wasn't about you so it really doesn't matter.

I agree with Morloth. I like organic gardening but I also like Domino's pizza.

you write in a very journalistic style.

YABU , kids love plastic , sugary, greasy tat.

and if htey eat organic and live the good life, and sit by the wood burning stove 99% of the time, then some chips and cola is not going to kill them or undo all the good you are doing

living a good wholesome life does not however, give you the right to look down on people who don't

smuggery is never appealing

Don't you think it's rude to go to a party and sit there telling the other guests how much you hate it?

But did your dd enjoy it? That's all that matters. And a new experience for you. So a positive trip all round I'd say

Agree with Kathy, very rude.

And how come you've got a tv if you're all natural etc. - tv is very evil!

I dislike hanging around for two hours for childrens' parties of any description.

I love a good McDonald's QP with C though. And their coffee is great.

"kids love plastic , sugary, greasy tat."

Lots of children hate that stuff. It isn't in their genes to like rubbish.

I'm baffled at number of you who are believing this!

That knob Hugh Fearnely Whittingtwat ripped up a huge hedgerow to get the cameras into River Cottage dear - so if you worship him you are a twat.

As for the rest of the superfluous pretentious drivel you have included in your post - it just makes me think how much I would love to tie you to a table in McDonalds and have 4 year olds pelt you with burgers and nuggets.

FGS - they are kids and choice and experience of things other than your little world are not bad things - that way they can make informed balanced choices when they grow up not become Augustus Gloop sized kids pigging out on everything mummy dearest has disallowed them.

Meh Picante, I am a bit bored today.

I bet the OP is that one that narrowly survived the tornado in Kensal Rise. You know the one with "Clive (millionare ex surgeon who now bakes artisan bread for homeless people in a bijou Somali hut in his garden)".

yanbu
then most kids parties are torture