The Maccas dilemma - what are your thoughts?

[~Kaz~]

Disclaimer - OK, this is not a Maccas bashing thread or a go at parents who feed their kids Maccas.

DS has been invited to a 3rd birthday party at Maccas. It's in the afternoon/early evening. I do not know the child/parent the invite has come from (it was in the pocket at CC).

The background is that DP and I don't eat Maccas. I used to work there when I was a teenager and in my early 20's. I worked in the kitchen and on the front counter and I know how it's prepared, how oily it is etc. At the first store I worked you could get a free meal on your break each shift and after a couple of years I went completely off the food (this was back before the healthy options range and all the other choices they have now - there were about 7-8 meal options back then, no McCafe's etc). So, DS knows Maccas sell coffee because I've been through drivethru to buy coffee with him in the car. On our last big car trip we stopped at a Maccas to use the toilet and DS came inside, saw there was food/cafe and asked for a milkshake lol. I got him some apple slices.

I don't have anything really against Maccas as an occasional food but it just doesn't sit right for me, that DS has it this young (he is not quite 2.5yrs old). And this is going to sound very much like a "when I was a kid I had to walk 100 miles through the snow with no shoes to get to school" comment but I was seriously about 9 years old before I went to a Maccas party. I know things are very different now but is it a common thing to go there for a 3 year old party?

My concerns/thoughts are:
* if he goes, this will open his eyes to the food options and he will ask everytime we see the golden arches
* if he doesn't go, will this mean that he is not invited to other kids parties because it will get around that he doesn't/isn't allowed to eat the food?
* if he doesn't go, will that mean I get labelled a weird uptight mum for not wanting him to eat there?
* if he doesn't go, am I making it a forbidden thing (even though he wouldn't know at this stage) and therefore even more attractive? (thinking down the track here).
* Do I have the right to censor his experiences in this way? i.e. it's not harmful, IMO, as a once off meal and maybe I should be letting him make his own choice about it

Does anyone know what the typical food/meal is for a toddler party?

I am interested in your thoughts/experiences with this situation. Please be honest!! I won't be offended as I can see both sides of the situation and I understand the attractiveness of not having to have heaps of toddlers invade your house, no washing up etc I guess I just would be more comfortable if this experience were happening when he was 5 instead of 2 so I feel really torn. TIA.

[skybie]

if he doesnt go i dont think you'll be labelled, just RSVP saying thanks but u already have plans.
FWIW i think 3 is a bit young for a macca's party

[Jennifer13]

I wouldn't choose a Macca's party for my child, but on the other hand, I probably wouldn't have stopped her going along at that age.

For our background, we don't eat at Macca's, except on long car trips when we need to stop for lunch or dinner. DD has been once with her Nana too, when we were on holidays. So she thinks that "NocDonalds" (she can't even pronounce it correctly yet - and she's five!) is for holidays only. She hasn't had a birthday party invite there yet (not that the food supplied at indoor play centre parties and the like is any healthier BTW). She sees Maccas obviously whenever we eat at a shopping centre, but she always asks for sushi.

I take the attitude that I watch what she eats for everything else, but at parties she is free to eat whatever and however much she wants. She has thrown up once after a party, but that was at someone's house and probably had as much to do with the sun exposure and the fact she'd been out late the night before at another party. The lesson to her was clear and she refuses to overeat. She is the only kid I know whose lolly bag stays in the cupboard for weeks before DP and I finally get through it!

So far not worrying about parties but focusing on her diet everywhere else is working for us. DD is a fantastic healthy eater but very good at self-moderation. And food has never been a battle ground. She never feels like she's missing out, but we are satisfied she's eating well.

HTH!

[Astrid]

To be honest, Macca's food is no worse than some of the rubbish I have seen dished up at some kids parties, especially the ones at indoor playcentres. So from that aspect, I have no issue Maccas, at least you have some idea what is in the food, rather than wondering what is in that el cheopo sausage roll.

I have no problem letting my girls go, the only issue I have is with supervision as they get older. Normally at DD1's age, I would just drop off, but at Macca's or similar I stay as it is a public area. As a parent it is a pain in the bum to have to hang around these places.

Ok will try to answer these directly now.
* if he goes, this will open his eyes to the food options and he will ask everytime we see the golden arches
Quite possibly, kids just seem to pick up on brands so quickly. DD1 was barely 2 and everytime we drove past a Maccas we would hear "chippie" come from the back seat. So just be prepared.

* if he doesn't go, will this mean that he is not invited to other kids parties because it will get around that he doesn't/isn't allowed to eat the food?
Who know really, depends on how you handle it. If are are over the top, then it may scare some parents. I would be more inclined to make up a reasonable excuse about not being able to go, than say "we don't eat that food"

* if he doesn't go, will that mean I get labelled a weird uptight mum for not wanting him to eat there?
As above, depends on how you deal with it

* if he doesn't go, am I making it a forbidden thing (even though he wouldn't know at this stage) and therefore even more attractive? (thinking down the track here).
At this age, I would not say why he is not going (if that is what you decide). When he is older and can comprehend more, then discuss it with him.

* Do I have the right to censor his experiences in this way? i.e. it's not harmful, IMO, as a once off meal and maybe I should be letting him make his own choice about it
I would be inclined to let him make a choice, you never know he may hate the stuff.

Best of luck! To be honest since dealing with more parties these days, I would take the Maccas party over some that DD1 has been to lately.

[*Ang*]

To be honest since dealing with more parties these days, I would take the Maccas party over some that DD1 has been to lately.

Exactly that! A lot of play centres food is absolutely rubbish compared to Maccas. We went to a party at our local roller-rink a couple of weeks ago and I was astounded at the rubbish that was served up - even my DD who enjoys the odd bit of junk food barely touched it!

I do find a Maccas party at 3 a bit young - but how old is the other child turning? And who knows the family cirumstances behind their reasonings for having it.

Personally I would send my kid along and I wouldn't over think it. It will be what it is and the outcome (ie the new found knowledge of Macca's) will be as bad or as good as you let it to be...Does that make sense? In otherwords if you make a fuss about not eating Macca's etc then their is a good chance your child will latch onto that thought and want it even more, whereas if you go along, enjoy the party and not talk about it anymore your child will forget about it by the next day.

[BlackRose]

My 14 month old was invited to a maccas birthday party for my besties 4 year old. I brought some water and half a banana for him to eat. He loved playing on the equipment and being around the other kids he wasn't all that interested in the food. I did get him a couple of chicken nuggets and some fries but I ended up eating most of them cos he was just too busy having fun. He drank his water (No way DS would get softdrink) and ate his banana in the car on the way home! He had a wonderful time being around other kids and playing on the equipment.

Good luck mama!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk so please forgive my spelling mistakes!!

[TeniBear]

From the perspective of someone who also worked at Maccas (in recent years) and is married to a manager - nope, no problem with you saying no. I reckon 3 is a bit young for a Maccas party, to be honest - even just the recommended games, never mind the food!


Sent from my iPhone so forgive the speelung misstacks

[Erin_25]

It's really your decision, if you don't want to go then don't.....you don't expose your child to that food etc until you are ready or want to.

Just wanted to really say that they shouldn't need to know why you are not going, just say nicely you are not free. I wouldn't go into why, I'm sure it will not affect anyone else opinon of you etc.

[Heaven]

I think 3 is a bit young for a Maccas party too.

DD1 has had Maccas, on car trips etc. We get her a happy meal with nuggets, apple, and water and she eats the apple and nothing else, lol. Although I would give it to her infrequently when I have to, I don't think I'd want her going to a party there either.

Just say you're busy

[~me~]

I have found in the past with CC that alot of parents tend to invite all the kids in the room and I would quite often turn one down as my kids didn't mention or interact with the kids.
That set aside...yes 3 is probably young for a Macca's party. An afternoon evening party would be a struggle for most 3yr olds I reckon as in overtired or just not in a party mood, it would be with my kids.
It's also possible that this child has older siblings who know of Macca's and he or she has had an early introduction to Maccas due to them having had it.
My DS1 went to a Macca's party when he was 3. It didn't end up with him asking for it afterwards, I just did not 'brand' the party so he really didn't think anything of where or what he is eating.

Macca's have come along way in food. It's probably better than a party pie, little boys and chips and sweets party that may be held at home or play centre that would also end up with a lolly bag.
Most of the kids parties will be a Happy Meal that would consist of either a cheeseburger or nuggets or wrap, choice of either fries or fruit, water or juice and toy.
The cake would more than likely be a Macca's icecream cake. I don't think they have any games as such, the kids would just play in the play area.
Hope that helps. Good luck with your decision.

[*TripleJ*]

i had my birthday at maccas when i was 7 3 is wayy too young to be having a maccas birthday
my DS eats maccas but he also eats pizza and fish and chips we only have junk once a fortnight and yes everytime we go past he says maccas but we just say no and keep going yeah its a pain and it might not be something ur willing to put up with

[AnyDream]

Brace yourself. This year we've had a round of 4 y.o. parties and every single one of them (without exception) has been maccas/HJ's.

I loathe them. The food is usually nuggets/hamburger with chips and the nominated softdrink (just watch this because they do happily serve coke to kids this age). Followed by a lurid-coloured icecream cake. Missy E usually picks at the food, drinks all the fizzy drink then enjoys playing on the equipment. So I've come to accept that's what the experience is about for her. Like others said, the food served up at play centres and even at home parties can be just as bad. Yes an association forms with the brand, like it does with all the brands in our lives, it's about how you live the other 99% of your time. The weight you put on brands etc right across your whole life will determine how much your child is influenced by them.

Socially, it's not necessary to explain why you're not attending, just a polite 'sorry we can't make it this time' will do. And FWIW yes I do think you have the right to censor his experience at this age, in the same way you might choose to limit his television viewing or keep him away from other environments that you don't feel are developmentally appropriate.

[mrscricket]

In reply to your questions -

My concerns/thoughts are:
* if he goes, this will open his eyes to the food options and he will ask everytime we see the golden arches

My DS does ask for McDonalds as he has eaten there sometimes (Macca's is one of those 'good at the time, urgggh why did I eat that?' afterwards foods in our house and we will occasionally stop there on the way to my parents house which is 3 hours away). I just say no. As his mum, I make the decision on what he eats. He can ask all he likes, it doesn't mean you have to give it to him. We actually drive past one every day and 9 times out of 10, he will not ask but he sometimes see's those yellow arches and asks.

* if he doesn't go, will this mean that he is not invited to other kids parties because it will get around that he doesn't/isn't allowed to eat the food?
* if he doesn't go, will that mean I get labelled a weird uptight mum for not wanting him to eat there?

This is totally up to you and how you turn down the invitation. I would just say you are busy if you really don't want him to go, you don't have to say you don't want him eating McDonalds

* if he doesn't go, am I making it a forbidden thing (even though he wouldn't know at this stage) and therefore even more attractive? (thinking down the track here).

Not sure about this one. I guess it will be harder as he gets older, but you also make the decision to firmly say no to something. I guess it all ties in with the once off meal question

* Do I have the right to censor his experiences in this way? i.e. it's not harmful, IMO, as a once off meal and maybe I should be letting him make his own choice about it
I believe you do have the right to censor. It's a great thing to be teaching so early about what are good foods. My DS asks every single day if he can have a lolly - the answer is generally no. He knows it's not great for him and he is learning that although it tastes good, he can't have them all the time. He can however have unlimited fruit and vegetables


Does anyone know what the typical food/meal is for a toddler party? To be honest, I think that the first few years of toddler parties (Mum's group so same kids parties for the last 4 years), there was always good healthy foods and as they have gotten a little older, there has been more of the 'fun party stuff'. At the 4 year old birthdays we have just been to, there was food there that never would of been at their 2nd birhtdays etc. It was more of the party pies, sausage rolls, potato chips and fairy bread. The best thing about kids parties is I find that my son never eats much there anyway. There is so much going on and he is much more interested in playing.

If it was my son (and this is totally just my opinion) I would weigh up how friendly he was with the child and if I thought he'd have a good time. I think 3 is a bit young to be holding a birthday there but that is the parents choice I guess. If I thought my son would have a couple of hours of fun, and I could meet some of the other child care parents, I would probably go.

[onthefly]

I wouldn't. but then I'm also shocked at the sorts of things people put on at kid's b'day parties. so the food's about on par really. Exposure to teh brand would definitely be my bigggest concern.
if you don't really know them,then it's easy to make an excuse and not go if you're not comfortable with it. Turning down on invite shouldn't rule you out for all other parties - although if they're all at maccas you might have an issue

[Epacris]

Kaz, this was my thread when the issue came up for me: https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...t-wwyd-157693/

ETA: Kaz, from my thread, what I leant was: don’t go, don’t say why, just politely decline and leave it at that.

[AndiE]

To be honest, Macca's food is no worse than some of the rubbish I have seen dished up at some kids parties, especially the ones at indoor playcentres. So from that aspect, I have no issue Maccas, at least you have some idea what is in the food, rather than wondering what is in that el cheopo sausage roll.
.

My first thought too.

We have Maccas/KFC rarely - once every 4-5 months if that. And then it's only for the nuggets and some fries. My kids (3 and 20 months) just aren't too interested in it. I purposely don't buy the kiddie meals with a toy when we do go there.

Probably going to the party won't make your DS want maccas all the time ... and I guess if you go, and he does become enamoured of ol' Ronald McDonald, then it will just be up to you to not go there in future- know what I mean? By the same token, you shouldn't feel obliged to go when you don't know the parents etc. Just say you have other plans.

[Nai]

I wouldn't go and I would just make the excuse that unfortunately you can't come as you already have something else on. We also don't eat Maccas at all but my mum took the girls there last school holidays when she had them (I wasn't impressed) but apparently the girls didn't like the food and didn't eat anything except the fries so I don't think she will take them there again - FWIW she never let me go to Maccas until I was 9!

[Beatrix]

LOL ahh and I read this thread when only yesterday did I drop invites off to 10 of my DD2 friends (she is turning 5) Hungry Jacks party...

Never realised so many parents would have a issue with celebrating a child's birthday... I have seen tables and tables of lollies, chips and junk at a home party, play house party...

I watch what my kids eat around home and dont see the problem in letting them have a fun and some "bad" food every now and then. At least at hungry jacks they get chips, burger/nuggets, drink... that's it, at a home party they can sit at the table at eat limitless amounts of food if they arn't watched...

Each to their own...