How would you feel about someone giving your 15 month old child a Happy Meal from McDonald's? I'm trying to decide if I'm being rational or not.
I purposely left out some of the background because I wanted a reaction to the McDonald's part without the rest of the story. Here's what happened:
Grandma and Aunt (husband's side) came to babysit for us over the weekend. I left a meal for our son, and I try to be very responsible in making sure he has fruits, veggies, and nutritionally valuable food when he eats. Has he eaten a few french fries, some pizza, a little ice cream? Of course.
So anyway, back to the story...When I showed them the dinner, the Aunt basically said "well, we think he should have a Happy Meal" to which I replied "I really don't want you to do that; please feed him the meal we've left for him." Of course, they ignored our instructions and took him to McDonalds anyway. I was livid - not so much about the McDonalds (although I don't think it is appropriate for my child to have a Happy Meal at that age, maybe when he's a little older), but because the Aunt blatantly ignored our "suggestions" as she likes to call them. And she wonders why we have never asked her to babysit before...Fortunately my husband stepped up and calmly but firmly handled the situation since it was his side of the family. Now the Aunt is mad at us for being unreasonable and the Grandma was placed in a difficult position. I thought as the parents, it was "our rules" and that's that. Apparently not.
I'm glad to hear that I'm not crazy because I don't want my child to eat the junk that McDonald's serves! We try our best to avoid processed foods, refined sugars, and include healthy choices in most of our meals and his family is well aware of this.
Not a problem as long as there are no allergies and the child has no problems eating solid food!
S.
Mom of 4
I agree that it's fine as long as it's not say every week. Happy Meals should be reserved for a special treat just like sweets and candy.
kids develop brand recognition by age 2. mcdonald's markets to kids and is non nutritive. i do wellness talks and have a meal from over a year ago with no mold on it. my daughter has had some bad food but i don't let her have mcdonald's bec. of the marketing factor. i also didn't let her have it at school recently and sent the lunch she normally gets. she never complained. hold firm with family about your child's eating. explain the health reasons and there are plenty of other ways to spoil a child..activities vs food rewards!
I think that you not introducing the fast food thing at this age is a good thing. But it is only one time that it happened. Let it go! It would have been considerate of the person to ask, but if the person didn't know your stand on it then they thought they were offering your child a treat and it would be fun. Live and learn from now on you'll know to inform anyone who plans to feed your child that you do not want them to go to McDonald's or other fast food.
I didn't read the other responses yet, but my first thought it "What??!!" Who gave it to your child? I would be outraged! How I handled it would depend on who it was & what their intentions were. I'd probably keep the outrage inside & try to use some tact & explain that I don't feed my 15mo. old fast food!
I was very happy that when my daughter was around that age, she didn't even know what McDonald's was. I'm not saying that she doesn't now, she's 5 1/2. She only gets Burger King once in a while as a treat, something "special". I don't think it's unreasonable to not want your baby to have a happy meal. It's a big factor in why there are so many overweight kids in this country. It's too easy and people are lazy.
I would be bothered by it, but the only thing to do at this point is voice your concern. If it is a caregiver, just let them know for future reference, but don't hold a grudge for the first time. They didn't know your feelings I assume. I kind of get where you are coming from only because when my kids were in daycare, I picked up my son, who was under a year at the time and found his bottle with Hawaiian Punch in it. He is three now and that is very likely the only Hawaiian Punch he's ever had. But all I could do is tell them I preferred him not having it. Hope this helps. =0)
MR-
I agree 110% with you. Not just because I usually do, anyway - but because I feel the same way. Lol.
We, too, try (I stress TRY) to feed healthy, balanced meals to our older son (and now starting with our little guy). Jacob didn't even know what McDonalds was until he was about two maybe. Yes, we've been there - especially this long, cold winter when we could go to the play land and let him run around for awhile.
My Mom gets him McDonalds when she babysits him as a "grandma treat". She knows we don't do it often and always asks if I mind if she takes him there.
I would have been equally upset if I were in your shoes and I commend your hubby for stepping up.
Hope all is well.
T.
Unless you expressed your desire for the child to not have fast food, then I would say let this one go but next time mention that you do not want your child to have these types of foods. And because of this provide suggestions as to where to go and also some lunch money - as non fast food is more expensive. If the person still does not abide by your wishes, then bring this up to him/her. You child having a happy meal isn't the worst thing for him. If it's new, he/she might have a little tummy ache for it but he/she should be fine.
I wouldn't like it. I try to avoid places like McDonald's since the food has little nutritional value and is filled with chemicals and preservatives. If it's someone that is going to watch the child or take her out again, I would say something about avoiding it in the future.
I agree, if it was a 1 time it would be ok, unless specified otherwise.
I personally would not have a problem with it, as long as it is not done on a daily basis.
If someone did this without asking first then I would be VERY upset. Also, NO SODA would be huge! As long as milk was to drink and hamburger (or cheeseburger) and the fruit option, No fries, it would be okay if I were ask first (on a very limited basis).
So glad to hear that your husband stands with you and that you have a clear vision of what you want to provide to your child. You were clear in the care that you expected for your child and your parental guidelines were disregarded. That was disrespectful. bottom line. Does not matter what it was, they disregarded you as a parent and disrespected the time and effort you took (and take daily) to provide superior nutrition for your child. Now, that being said, I love McDonalds but the reasons are endless as to why not to eat there. Aside from the deep fryer, have you read the literature about the potatos they use for the fries? And the meat is of poor quality, white flour for the buns...lots of bad stuff. But some people (especially older folk) just aren't educated about nutrition. Maybe your husband could use this as an opportunity to remind them that as the parents, you want the best for your child, as should all of the relatives, that in the year 2008 we know so many more things about McDonalds than in the 80's and let them know that there will be plenty of times in the future when your son will be constantly bombarded with lots of bad stuff
I'd be fine with it. As long as they are able to eat table food with out any problems, I think it's fine.
I'm not quite getting the rational or not part of your question.
Is the person a stranger on the street??
Then I'd probably just thank them and say no.
Otherwise, personally, I think it's not a big deal - certainly not something for a child to have everyday - but I can't think of any child I know that hasn't nibbled on a McNugget and fries. However, expecting a 15 month old to eat a hamburger Happy Meal, probably not - at least in my experience.
J.
if it wasn't like an everyday occurrence, i'd be ok with it....unless i specifically asked them not to give the child fast food. i don't give my girls fast food, except for the very rare occasion when we're out and about. but i wouldn't be made unless it was against something i specifically stated.
More info would certainly help us give an opinion :)
My children's nanny and our relatives that have watched my kids know that we do not take them to McDs or other fast food places. I am in no way judging anyone that does, and my kids do like burgers and fries, just not from fast food restaurants so we have been clear about what the kids can eat and which restaurants they can be taken. (They are now 4 and 5 yrs old)
If one of them did this after my clear preferences were stated, I would have a problem with it. If they did not know my opinion, then I would inform them so it would not happen again. Hope this helps!
As long as your child has eaten solid food without problems, no biggie. My family still believes that going to a fast- food restaurant is a treat and novelty so, with that in mind, I wouldn't think anything of it. We just don't eat fast-food much, at all.
I would not have aproblem with it unless I had already told the person that we do not want our child to have McDonalds. As a family daycare provider I do give the children McDonalds as a treat once and awhile. I give the children chicken nuggets, apple slices, a side salad, milk and we share a small fries. As a treat once and awhile I find nothing wrong with this. I feel it is more about teaching the children what is a "treat" and treats are to be eaten in moderation, not 100% avoided.
All I can say is gross! But then again I am a vegetarian. Anyway, my kids on occasion will have Wendy's kids meals, but I don't think I gave it to them until they were around two. As long as the the food is cut small I think it would be okay. I hope they got the under three toy or didn't give them the toy at all, that would be a bigger concern than the food. Now, I'm guessing this person did not ask if it would be okay to give your child a Happy Meal. That can be a problem. If this is a first time offense, I would let it go, but let the person know you don't like your child eating McDonald's. You are the mom and you get to make the rules for your child. Now if this person did it again knowing how you feel, then I would be upset.
I wouldn't appreciate someone doing that without asking me, but sometimes people need CLEAR instructions of what to do and not to do. If this is someone who knew you wouldn't like it and did it anyway, I'd just tell them you don't appreciate it, and then don't leave your child with that person again because they obviously don't respect you. If this person honestly didn't know any better, just simply explain to them that you don't allow your child to eat that kind of food, and be SPECIFIC with that person as to what your child can and cannot eat.
I have to admit, I've shared a few french fries with my 14-month old (and he wasn't crazy about them). I probably would have given him some of my burger too but he doesn't like beef at all. I guess I would say don't overreact. If you didn't specify in advance to this person what your child should and should not be fed, then chalk it up to experience for next time. It's not like a 15-month old is all of a sudden addicted to Happy Meals and will demand to eat them all the time.
I would be a bit upset. I don't want my baby eating all that trans fat and preservatives etc. I would nicely ask whomever it was to please not do it again. You're the parent and they should respect your decision.
