Comments on: The McDilemma http://www.phdinparenting.com/2010/04/13/the-mcdilemma/ ...exploring the art and science of parenting Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:24:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Fuel for Human Bodies: Our Complex Relationship with Food | PhD in Parenting http://www.phdinparenting.com/2010/04/13/the-mcdilemma/#comment-142708 Fuel for Human Bodies: Our Complex Relationship with Food | PhD in Parenting Thu, 07 Jul 2011 21:36:54 +0000 http://www.phdinparenting.com/?p=4176#comment-142708 [...] we were moving to Berlin last year, some of you may remember that I was concerned when I learned there would be a McDonald’s about one block from our apartment. In the end, it wasn’t an issue at all. The kids asked a few times if we could go there, I [...] [...] we were moving to Berlin last year, some of you may remember that I was concerned when I learned there would be a McDonald’s about one block from our apartment. In the end, it wasn’t an issue at all. The kids asked a few times if we could go there, I [...]

]]> By: Questions for the #noNestle Boycotters: My Response | PhD in Parenting http://www.phdinparenting.com/2010/04/13/the-mcdilemma/#comment-87450 Questions for the #noNestle Boycotters: My Response | PhD in Parenting Tue, 26 Oct 2010 02:56:25 +0000 http://www.phdinparenting.com/?p=4176#comment-87450 [...] that doesn’t mean that I am running out to buy Abbott Labs products (the maker of Similac), McDonalds and KFC, Coke and Pepsi, and other unealthy or unethical products. In fact, the more I learn about [...] [...] that doesn’t mean that I am running out to buy Abbott Labs products (the maker of Similac), McDonalds and KFC, Coke and Pepsi, and other unealthy or unethical products. In fact, the more I learn about [...]

]]> By: phdinparenting http://www.phdinparenting.com/2010/04/13/the-mcdilemma/#comment-56994 phdinparenting Mon, 03 May 2010 14:48:26 +0000 http://www.phdinparenting.com/?p=4176#comment-56994 I thought I'd update everyone on the situation. The McDonalds is there. It has a huge playground. My kids have asked to go to play and to eat. The first time they asked, I said "no, we don't go to McDonald's, it's junk". They asked a few more times and I just repeated it. Since then, they haven't been begging. So the begging (about that at least!) is resolved and at a later point I can teach them more about the ethical and other reasons we choose not to go there (too much for their brains at this age). We have, however, found a great alternative for those times when we do want to have some fast food. There is a local very authentic and delicious burger spot called "<a href="http://www.qype.fr/place/14918-Burgermeister-Berlin/photos/494966" rel="nofollow">Burgermeister</a>". It isn't a chain or anything - just a locally owned and operated shop a block away from here. Their prices are better than McDonald's, it tastes better, their ingredients are better, and I feel better about eating there. It isn't a spot I would take the kids every day for nutritional reasons, but on occasion it is the burger joint of choice. I thought I’d update everyone on the situation. The McDonalds is there. It has a huge playground. My kids have asked to go to play and to eat. The first time they asked, I said “no, we don’t go to McDonald’s, it’s junk”. They asked a few more times and I just repeated it. Since then, they haven’t been begging. So the begging (about that at least!) is resolved and at a later point I can teach them more about the ethical and other reasons we choose not to go there (too much for their brains at this age).

We have, however, found a great alternative for those times when we do want to have some fast food. There is a local very authentic and delicious burger spot called “Burgermeister“. It isn’t a chain or anything – just a locally owned and operated shop a block away from here. Their prices are better than McDonald’s, it tastes better, their ingredients are better, and I feel better about eating there. It isn’t a spot I would take the kids every day for nutritional reasons, but on occasion it is the burger joint of choice.

]]> By: Luschka http://www.phdinparenting.com/2010/04/13/the-mcdilemma/#comment-56853 Luschka Sun, 02 May 2010 23:41:07 +0000 http://www.phdinparenting.com/?p=4176#comment-56853 I have to say, in my early twenties, I LIVED off McD's. I loved it. And I was skinny. I moved to the UK, change of scene, change of life and hardly ever had any. Then one day I tried some again and I realised how gross it actually is! I don't actually recal the last time I had McD's now. Perhaps they actually just wont like it if they do try it? But to be honest, I agree with the others. You are the parent, you work for the money (or your husband does) and you say no, so no. I guess, however, that if that doesn't work, I'd make it an option - we can go to mcD or to the zoo. We can go to McD or the park. Then they have the choice. Good luck! Would be interesting to hear how it turns out! I have to say, in my early twenties, I LIVED off McD’s. I loved it. And I was skinny. I moved to the UK, change of scene, change of life and hardly ever had any. Then one day I tried some again and I realised how gross it actually is! I don’t actually recal the last time I had McD’s now. Perhaps they actually just wont like it if they do try it? But to be honest, I agree with the others. You are the parent, you work for the money (or your husband does) and you say no, so no. I guess, however, that if that doesn’t work, I’d make it an option – we can go to mcD or to the zoo. We can go to McD or the park. Then they have the choice. Good luck! Would be interesting to hear how it turns out!

]]> By: megan http://www.phdinparenting.com/2010/04/13/the-mcdilemma/#comment-55500 megan Mon, 26 Apr 2010 21:42:49 +0000 http://www.phdinparenting.com/?p=4176#comment-55500 Just don't go!! I won't even call what McD serves food, it is not. It is highly processed GMO toxins that you would be putting in you body. Yuk! My three years can read food labels and understands why we don't eat those kinds of foods b/c they are bad for our bodies. Kids are really smart, don't underestimate their capacity to understand. Don't call it a "treat", treats in our house are fresh organic strawberries, organic in season asparagus, etc. In the US we set our kids up to fail miserably when it comes to food choices and taking charge of our health. I don't like what McD stands for on all other levels, the McDonald Brothers have brought this country to its knees and has destroyed our food system. What Food, Inc and believe me, you will never want to eat another fast food burger again. Just don’t go!! I won’t even call what McD serves food, it is not. It is highly processed GMO toxins that you would be putting in you body. Yuk! My three years can read food labels and understands why we don’t eat those kinds of foods b/c they are bad for our bodies. Kids are really smart, don’t underestimate their capacity to understand. Don’t call it a “treat”, treats in our house are fresh organic strawberries, organic in season asparagus, etc. In the US we set our kids up to fail miserably when it comes to food choices and taking charge of our health. I don’t like what McD stands for on all other levels, the McDonald Brothers have brought this country to its knees and has destroyed our food system. What Food, Inc and believe me, you will never want to eat another fast food burger again.

]]> By: DWest http://www.phdinparenting.com/2010/04/13/the-mcdilemma/#comment-54612 DWest Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:20:23 +0000 http://www.phdinparenting.com/?p=4176#comment-54612 If you don't want it in your life, don't even open the door to it. They can pitch a fit until they are blue in the face, but it gets no change in mommy. No is no. This comes from my experience with my first born, a precocious 5 year old and a classic strong willed child. If you don’t want it in your life, don’t even open the door to it. They can pitch a fit until they are blue in the face, but it gets no change in mommy. No is no.
This comes from my experience with my first born, a precocious 5 year old and a classic strong willed child.

]]> By: Paula http://www.phdinparenting.com/2010/04/13/the-mcdilemma/#comment-54344 Paula Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:00:43 +0000 http://www.phdinparenting.com/?p=4176#comment-54344 I love this!!! I love this!!!

]]> By: Erica http://www.phdinparenting.com/2010/04/13/the-mcdilemma/#comment-53664 Erica Sat, 17 Apr 2010 15:47:59 +0000 http://www.phdinparenting.com/?p=4176#comment-53664 I just tell my daughters that I don´t like the food there and that I´m not going to spend my money there, and then I give them other options of places they like and that I also like. We most of the time choose a non-fast food restaurant but there have been times that they ask for a fast food restaurant and again we give them options, but McD is never an option. I just tell my daughters that I don´t like the food there and that I´m not going to spend my money there, and then I give them other options of places they like and that I also like. We most of the time choose a non-fast food restaurant but there have been times that they ask for a fast food restaurant and again we give them options, but McD is never an option.

]]> By: sara http://www.phdinparenting.com/2010/04/13/the-mcdilemma/#comment-53478 sara Sat, 17 Apr 2010 01:58:44 +0000 http://www.phdinparenting.com/?p=4176#comment-53478 Forgive me if this has been said before. I have not read all the replies. I would definitely not forbid it. Not too far in the future, they will be adults and they will be making their own choices. Forbidding it now may cause them to overreact and binge in the future. If they wanted to go, I'd go occasionally. All things in moderation, right? Explain why you don't like going there, go occasionally. I see no reason not to make it a special treat. Chocolate cake is not often served in our house, but it can be a special treat. McD can be the same. We got to McD 4-5 times a year. Sometimes when traveling. It's part of life, but only in moderation. Forgive me if this has been said before. I have not read all the replies.

I would definitely not forbid it. Not too far in the future, they will be adults and they will be making their own choices. Forbidding it now may cause them to overreact and binge in the future.

If they wanted to go, I’d go occasionally. All things in moderation, right? Explain why you don’t like going there, go occasionally. I see no reason not to make it a special treat. Chocolate cake is not often served in our house, but it can be a special treat. McD can be the same.

We got to McD 4-5 times a year. Sometimes when traveling. It’s part of life, but only in moderation.

]]> By: Wendy Armbruster Bell http://www.phdinparenting.com/2010/04/13/the-mcdilemma/#comment-53419 Wendy Armbruster Bell Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:49:14 +0000 http://www.phdinparenting.com/?p=4176#comment-53419 My husband and my girls (aged 3 and 5) are vegetarian. My husband has spoken to them about vegetarianism and specifically McDonalds' from a very early age. If we pass by a McDonalds', my 3YO yells out, "There's McDonalds'!", the same way my 5YO used to at her age. I ask her if she wants to go there. "No!", is her response. I ask her, "Why not?", and her response is, "Because it isn't healthy." It is never too early to explain the "whys" to them. They have never wavered on this EVER. My husband and my girls (aged 3 and 5) are vegetarian. My husband has spoken to them about vegetarianism and specifically McDonalds’ from a very early age. If we pass by a McDonalds’, my 3YO yells out, “There’s McDonalds’!”, the same way my 5YO used to at her age. I ask her if she wants to go there. “No!”, is her response. I ask her, “Why not?”, and her response is, “Because it isn’t healthy.” It is never too early to explain the “whys” to them. They have never wavered on this EVER.

]]>