Would you take your kid to a McDonald's b-day party?

[mushmouse]

Apr 11, 2013 18:21:28 GMT -5 @godawgs said:

The reason we're doing it there is because the kid wants it and not because it's cheap, but I truly don't think we could have it anywhere else except home and have it be cheaper.  And at home I'd actually end up spending way more because I'd decorate, buy alcohol and all kinds of other crap.  The McD's party is $50 for 8 kids and $5 each additional kid.  The frozen yogurt place by us is $12.50 per kid.  The activity room at the YMCA is $175 plus the cost of food we bring in.  A little arts place I looked at is $250 plus the cost of food.  Even park pavilion rental is $100, and I can't imagine I'd spend any less than $50 on food, and probably would spend $100 on food and decorations even for a park pavilion.  Maybe something like just going to a pizza restaurant would be cheaper since I'd just be paying for like a slice of pizza for each kid, but that would be boring as hell for the kids since there wouldn't be a private room or playground for them to run around and have fun.

Yay!

[bronxgirl]

My 40th birthday is coming up soon. Maybe I'll have the party at McDonald's.

[Deleted]

Apr 11, 2013 19:00:42 GMT -5 mushmouse said:

Apr 11, 2013 18:21:28 GMT -5 @godawgs said:

The reason we're doing it there is because the kid wants it and not because it's cheap, but I truly don't think we could have it anywhere else except home and have it be cheaper.  And at home I'd actually end up spending way more because I'd decorate, buy alcohol and all kinds of other crap.  The McD's party is $50 for 8 kids and $5 each additional kid.  The frozen yogurt place by us is $12.50 per kid.  The activity room at the YMCA is $175 plus the cost of food we bring in.  A little arts place I looked at is $250 plus the cost of food.  Even park pavilion rental is $100, and I can't imagine I'd spend any less than $50 on food, and probably would spend $100 on food and decorations even for a park pavilion.  Maybe something like just going to a pizza restaurant would be cheaper since I'd just be paying for like a slice of pizza for each kid, but that would be boring as hell for the kids since there wouldn't be a private room or playground for them to run around and have fun.

Yay!

Yeah, the price swayed me and even DH.  I was prepared to spend more, but if it's what the kid really wants AND it's the cheapest option, then what the hell.  McDonald's it is!  My kid will have a blast and maybe I'll get a massage or something with the money that I ended up not spending on a party. 

[Deleted]

Apr 11, 2013 19:03:40 GMT -5 bronxgirl said:

My 40th birthday is coming up soon. Maybe I'll have the party at McDonald's.

My Mom's friends threw her a 40th bday party there!

This is how I know their bday cake is delicious. There were leftovers.

The photos are hilarious.

[bab]

Apr 11, 2013 18:30:15 GMT -5 @godawgs said:

Apr 11, 2013 18:19:33 GMT -5 bab said:

I can't read the nine pages.

Do the McD's party judgers not eat at McDonalds at all? Is that what you are judging? Fast food? If not, why wouldn't you take your child to a party there?

I used to work at McD's when I was in high school and kids had a great time at the parties. We didn't even have a play place at my location either!

I've taken my children to parties at McD's and never considered judging the parents for hosting something there.

Help me understand!

I'v also had parties for my girls (TWICE) at Chuck e Cheese. What's the big deal? Yeah, yeah, it's so gross. You know what? Kids are fucking gross! At some point, you have to get over it!

I admit that McD's food is pretty gross, although I do love their shakes and ice cream.  I used to say I'd never take my kid to McDonald's, BUT there is one with a playground right outside of our neighborhood and it's just 1/10 of a mile from our house.  Everything else is further away.  My son loves their playground, so about once a month I'll take him over there, get him a happy meal, and let him play on the playground to his hearts content. Sometimes we don't get a meal and just get ice cream or smoothies.  He thinks it's one of the most fun things ever, so despite the fact that I think the food isn't good, I take him there to see him have fun.

The animal cruelty thing, well, I don't know all the details of that, but it's also something I am not really passionate about.  For food we eat at home, I do choose to have my own hens for eggs and buy free range meat from local farmers, but I don't feel so strongly about the issue that I limit places we eat out based on where they purchase their meat.

Do all the cruelty free people own vegan clothing? As in, no $$$$ designer shoes and bags? If not, should I be judging?

LMAO

[mamasaurus]

Apr 11, 2013 12:04:39 GMT -5 kcr1972 said:

If your kid is going to school spouting off that mc d's is gross and that people that eat there are gross your kid is going to get his ass kicked daily.

You can allow the child to go to the party and politely eat a piece of cake for ffs. I understand being veg but thinking you are better than that is total bs.

I swear some of these moms are so full of shit.

You're being deliberately obtuse (the golden word!) here. You know the cake is not the problem. Nobody said they were "better than" eating a piece of cake.

I've also yet to see a single study showing a link between bullying and vegetarianism. Please! You have the ace bullshit detector, so enlighten us!

[bab]

Apr 11, 2013 19:03:40 GMT -5 bronxgirl said:

My 40th birthday is coming up soon. Maybe I'll have the party at McDonald's.

Their b-day cake is the shit!!!

[bronxgirl]

Apr 11, 2013 19:33:18 GMT -5 bab said:

Apr 11, 2013 19:03:40 GMT -5 bronxgirl said:

My 40th birthday is coming up soon. Maybe I'll have the party at McDonald's.

Their b-day cake is the shit!!!

I had my 7th birthday party at McDonalds. Actually, the particular McD's franchise location where I had my party is now an upscale Thai restaurant so maybe people do celebrate 40th b-days there.

[margotmacomber]

Apr 11, 2013 19:30:55 GMT -5 mamasaurus said:

Apr 11, 2013 12:04:39 GMT -5 kcr1972 said:

If your kid is going to school spouting off that mc d's is gross and that people that eat there are gross your kid is going to get his ass kicked daily.

You can allow the child to go to the party and politely eat a piece of cake for ffs. I understand being veg but thinking you are better than that is total bs.

I swear some of these moms are so full of shit.

You're being deliberately obtuse (the golden word!) here. You know the cake is not the problem. Nobody said they were "better than" eating a piece of cake.

I've also yet to see a single study showing a link between bullying and vegetarianism. Please! You have the ace bullshit detector, so enlighten us!

I'm pretty sure she's not implying that anyone said they were above eating cake, but rather they should just go eat cake and stfu.  And I'm also pretty sure she isn't being 100% deadpan serious about the bullying either.  I think she might be speaking in a somewhat hyperbolic manner.

YW

[Deleted]

Apr 11, 2013 19:29:58 GMT -5 @tambcat said:

McD's ice cream? Safe? Do you know what those cows' lives are like?

Unless the folks who wouldn't go for animal cruelty reasons are strict vegans, then they are eating all kinds of stuff that is a product of animals who were subject to cruel treatment - bbq flavor chips have chicken fat, gelatin (made from bones of slaughtered animals) is in tons of stuff (some packaged peanuts, many candies (starburst, junior mints), margarine, gummy bears, jello, yoplait yogurt), many boxed cake mix has beef fat - the list just goes on and on. 

I have a few friends I grew up with who are strict vegans, and truly
review labels on all the cosmetics and foods they purchase.  If I
invited one of them to the party (which I wouldn't because we are no
longer that close), I would respect if they chose to not attend. However, I definitely give the side eye to someone who says they would skip or strongly judge a McD's birthday party for these reasons, and yet they are ingesting gelatin and other products that contain animal products.  Or wearing leather shoes and carrying leather handbags. 
 

[mamasaurus]

Apr 11, 2013 19:51:15 GMT -5 @godawgs said:

Apr 11, 2013 19:29:58 GMT -5 @tambcat said:

McD's ice cream? Safe? Do you know what those cows' lives are like?

Unless the folks who wouldn't go for animal cruelty reasons are strict vegans, then they are eating all kinds of stuff that is a product of animals who were subject to cruel treatment - bbq flavor chips have chicken fat, gelatin (made from bones of slaughtered animals) is in tons of stuff (some packaged peanuts, many candies (starburst, junior mints), margarine, gummy bears, jello, yoplait yogurt), many boxed cake mix has beef fat - the list just goes on and on. 

I have a few friends I grew up with who are strict vegans, and truly
review labels on all the cosmetics and foods they purchase.  If I
invited one of them to the party (which I wouldn't because we are no
longer that close), I would respect if they chose to not attend. However, I definitely give the side eye to someone who says they would skip or strongly judge a McD's birthday party for these reasons, and yet they are ingesting gelatin and other products that contain animal products.  Or wearing leather shoes and carrying leather handbags. 
 

To you and the OP wondering about this, I can't speak for everyone, but scotty and I are rigorous label checkers. Most vegetarians I have met are as well. My belts, shoes, etc are not real leather.

ETA: I need to know where sonrisa gets her burgers!

[Deleted]

Apr 11, 2013 20:18:15 GMT -5 nicbreeful said:

Also, @godawgs, do what makes your kid happy. Fuck all the rest. At the end of the day, that's what really matters.

I showed him the pictures of the dinosaur stuff I pinned on pinterest and he got all wide eyed and excited and started roaring like a dinosaur.  McDonald's AND dinosaurs together is probably the coolest thing he could ever imagine.    He's going to have a blast.  I'm excited now.

[bab]

Apr 11, 2013 20:22:26 GMT -5 @godawgs said:

Apr 11, 2013 20:18:15 GMT -5 nicbreeful said:

Also, @godawgs, do what makes your kid happy. Fuck all the rest. At the end of the day, that's what really matters.

I showed him the pictures of the dinosaur stuff I pinned on pinterest and he got all wide eyed and excited and started roaring like a dinosaur.  McDonald's AND dinosaurs together is probably the coolest thing he could ever imagine.    He's going to have a blast.  I'm excited now.

Sounds like an awesome party!  Forget about the haters!!!

[nursewife]

This thread is.... Interesting. Lol at checking the ice cream.

[msmerymac]

Apr 11, 2013 15:22:54 GMT -5 SusanBAnthony said:

Apr 11, 2013 14:20:18 GMT -5 fuckyourcouch said:

i'm imagining it like a TSA checkpoint. there is a wand.

I meant check the ingredients online.  I assumed the fries were ok until this thread, and surely they couldn't find a way to put beef flavoring in the ice cream, right?

I feel like the shakes might have gelatin. I know the yogurt does. The ice cream might be safe, though. The shakes aren't made out of real ice cream anyone. 


My conclusion: A McDonald's party is probably a bad idea if you live in a liberal hippy utopia and half your guest list is vegetarian. Otherwise, whatever. My parents had my party there when I was 3 and all I remember is chocolate cake.