Not flaming you, but what party food would be OK with you? I mean, where do you draw the line? As once in awhile foods, all of the kinds of stuff served at kids parties are pretty much equal in terms of not being good for you. A Happy Meal, pizza, cake, ice cream, cupcakes, hot dogs, etc. all seem about the same to me. Do kids nowadays only go to parties that serve greek yogurt? I just don't get it, I guess.
Raw Quinoa salad, Kale chips and Aloe juice boxes fo everyone!
Does no one care about the fucking animals in here? We are a board full of women who only wear cruelty free mascara (which runs all over my face but I do it anyway even though OMG I miss LancĂ´me great lash) and people are actually supporting taking children to a place that tortures animals. No. If you don't want to pay for Gymboree bake some cupcakes and play pin the tail on Old McDonald and hand out bags from Target. I had plenty of parties like that as a child and would NEVER judge that. But McDonald's? Yeah.
OMFG.
Dude. There are shady practices at almost every business and, sorry, but unless you are a vegan and your kid is too, it is going to be next to impossible to boycott every establishment that is inhumane to animals. Are you really going to make your kid skip every birthday party that may be questionable? Most kids parties serve pizza - good luck making sure that the cheese is organic and even better luck finding out where all the pepperoni comes from before you RSVP.
Not to even mention the fact that no, not everyone cares.
There is a difference between boycotting every establishment that is inhumane to animals and having an issue with one of the biggest and worst perpetrators of it worldwide.
I won't make my kid skip parties of very close friends and family members who have parties at McDonald's, but we won't throw any parties there, would probably skip an acquaintance-level party there, and I might try to bring her separate food. We're vegetarian, not vegan, but I really don't think most kids get into the slimy iceberg lettuce salads they have.
FWIW, I am not a hard core food crusader or anything. She's had sweet potato fries a couple times already. We get fast food (Smashburger, local chains) at least once a week. I feel like you need to draw a line somewhere, though, and for us, extruded, bleached, and re-shaped pieces of de-beaked, battery-caged chicken is on the other side of it. There are plenty of people who are good parents who disagree with me, but this is where I draw the line.
jesus christ. there is literally nothing for me to eat at mcdonalds except a yogurt parfait because they use beef fat to fry their fries and i'm a vegetarian, in part, for cruelty reasons, and not only would i slap a smile on my face and go, i'd smile wistfully at the nostalgia.
They stopped. Sometime in the 2000s. A girl I worked with at the shop last year overheard me telling someone else the same vegetarian reasoning and she corrected me because she had been a shift manager there for several years and they used vegetable oil the entire time she worked for them. So I looked it up, and sure enough no more beef fat.
Of course that only gives you the addition of fries and morning hash browns.
Not flaming you, but what party food would be OK with you? I mean, where do you draw the line? As once in awhile foods, all of the kinds of stuff served at kids parties are pretty much equal in terms of not being good for you. A Happy Meal, pizza, cake, ice cream, cupcakes, hot dogs, etc. all seem about the same to me. Do kids nowadays only go to parties that serve greek yogurt? I just don't get it, I guess.
Raw Quinoa salad, Kale chips and Aloe juice boxes fo everyone!
Honestly, no. I mean, if it was a BFF, I guess, but McD's isn't super popular around here.
I won't publicly judge others' fast food consumption, but I'm not eating that crap and I won't feed it to my kid.
Not flaming you, but what party food would be OK with you? I mean, where do you draw the line? As once in awhile foods, all of the kinds of stuff served at kids parties are pretty much equal in terms of not being good for you. A Happy Meal, pizza, cake, ice cream, cupcakes, hot dogs, etc. all seem about the same to me. Do kids nowadays only go to parties that serve greek yogurt? I just don't get it, I guess.
Look, I admit to being a food snob. And I'll also add that there are a million indoor play space options in Seattle. Our community centers are great.
It's not about cheeseburgers and cake. While those things are known as "sometimes foods" in our house, we definitely eat them. But we either make them ourselves or go to a local burger joint.
i judge McDs for way more than their nasty food. I'll just ditto Elle, for why.
i get that it's cheap and easy, and I guess I'm lucky that I have lots of other cheap and easy options.
Not flaming you, but what party food would be OK with you? I mean, where do you draw the line? As once in awhile foods, all of the kinds of stuff served at kids parties are pretty much equal in terms of not being good for you. A Happy Meal, pizza, cake, ice cream, cupcakes, hot dogs, etc. all seem about the same to me. Do kids nowadays only go to parties that serve greek yogurt? I just don't get it, I guess.
Raw Quinoa salad, Kale chips and Aloe juice boxes fo everyone!
I have to say, I've never given my kid juice. I'm really not that uptight; we just don't have juice in our house. I'd rather use my sugar-consumption capacity on chocolate.
Dude. There are shady practices at almost every business and, sorry, but unless you are a vegan and your kid is too, it is going to be next to impossible to boycott every establishment that is inhumane to animals. Are you really going to make your kid skip every birthday party that may be questionable? Most kids parties serve pizza - good luck making sure that the cheese is organic and even better luck finding out where all the pepperoni comes from before you RSVP.
Not to even mention the fact that no, not everyone cares.
She has a big heart, let her be. Jeeze! If she wants to serve specific things at parties because she cares a lot that is her business. As much as people don't like judging, don't judge the animal peeps so hard. Let it be.... let it be.... let it be *gets out squeezebox*
I get it for parties you are throwing. Do what you want. I just am having trouble with the idea of not letting my kid go to someone else's party. You'd think the OP mentioned that the party was at their house while they were out of town but had just stocked the liquor cabinet.
jesus christ. there is literally nothing for me to eat at mcdonalds except a yogurt parfait because they use beef fat to fry their fries and i'm a vegetarian, in part, for cruelty reasons, and not only would i slap a smile on my face and go, i'd smile wistfully at the nostalgia.
They stopped. Sometime in the 2000s. A girl I worked with at the shop last year overheard me telling someone else the same vegetarian reasoning and she corrected me because she had been a shift manager there for several years and they used vegetable oil the entire time she worked for them. So I looked it up, and sure enough no more beef fat.
Of course that only gives you the addition of fries and morning hash browns.
wait, i just checked. it says "natural beef flavor."
anyway, i'd still go hug ronald. did you know that willard scott was the very first ronald mcdonald? he invented it for a DC area franchise. the more you know (insert shooting star).
They stopped. Sometime in the 2000s. A girl I worked with at the shop last year overheard me telling someone else the same vegetarian reasoning and she corrected me because she had been a shift manager there for several years and they used vegetable oil the entire time she worked for them. So I looked it up, and sure enough no more beef fat.
Of course that only gives you the addition of fries and morning hash browns.
wait, i just checked. it says "natural beef flavor."
anyway, i'd still go hug ronald. did you know that willard scott was the very first ronald mcdonald? he invented it for a DC area franchise. the more you know (insert shooting star).
I think you're both partially right. The fries are cooked in vegetable oil rather than beef fat, but there is beef flavoring added to them so they are not vegetarian.
wait, i just checked. it says "natural beef flavor."
anyway, i'd still go hug ronald. did you know that willard scott was the very first ronald mcdonald? he invented it for a DC area franchise. the more you know (insert shooting star).
I keep going back and forth on this. You guys aren't really helping with your answers being all over the place.
I like the idea of McDonalds because, like @bettyhomewrecker33 said, the simpleness of it is refreshing. I don't have to get my house clean, I won't be obsessing over pinterest for a month and trying to tackle a bunch of crafty shit that just stresses me out, etc. Everyone just shows up, eats a happy meal, and then runs around and has fun on the playground.
I really only care about the possibility of people not showing up. Sure, I don't want to be judged, but I'm also not great friends with any of the daycare moms and my life would not be over if they judged. I do want my son's friends to show up, though.
I just called a McD's near us that has a really nice playland, and the price may have won me over. $50 for 8 kids, $5 each additional kid. A public park pavilion rental with no food is more expensive than that (I checked). Plus, with an indoor playground, we wouldn't have to worry about weather. And I know DS would have a blast. $50 includes a happy meal and ice cream cone for each kid, a cake (but we could and would bring our own), balloons, games, and of course they would play on the playground.
wait, i just checked. it says "natural beef flavor."
anyway, i'd still go hug ronald. did you know that willard scott was the very first ronald mcdonald? he invented it for a DC area franchise. the more you know (insert shooting star).
Maybe it varies by region?
I have had them exactly once in the last 20+ years, so I don't know why I care so much about this.
i think the outcome of the lawsuit was that they had to disclose, not that they had to stop. so maybe you're right. they only stopped where they felt like it. the american menu says "natural beef flavor."
I am 100% comfortable with my contribution to the animals. While we are not vegans we do not consume food from animals that are treated unethically. McDonald's is absolutely one of the worst offenders, and I really do not understand the reasoning behind holding a birthday party for children there. WTF is wrong with a party in the park? It's cheaper than McDonald's and raises none of the ethical issues.
And BTW, Cville, I think you can eat the fries. I understand if you are being strict because of the kitchen but I am pretty sure they are OK.
wait, i just checked. it says "natural beef flavor."
anyway, i'd still go hug ronald. did you know that willard scott was the very first ronald mcdonald? he invented it for a DC area franchise. the more you know (insert shooting star).
Maybe it varies by region?
I have had them exactly once in the last 20+ years, so I don't know why I care so much about this.
It does. In the UK and Canada (and probably at least several other countries), they are vegetarian. In the US, they are not.
I keep going back and forth on this. You guys aren't really helping with your answers being all over the place.
I like the idea of McDonalds because, like @bettyhomewrecker33 said, the simpleness of it is refreshing. I don't have to get my house clean, I won't be obsessing over pinterest for a month and trying to tackle a bunch of crafty shit that just stresses me out, etc. Everyone just shows up, eats a happy meal, and then runs around and has fun on the playground.
I really only care about the possibility of people not showing up. Sure, I don't want to be judged, but I'm also not great friends with any of the daycare moms and my life would not be over if they judged. I do want my son's friends to show up, though.
I just called a McD's near us that has a really nice playland, and the price may have won me over. $50 for 8 kids, $5 each additional kid. A public park pavilion rental with no food is more expensive than that (I checked). Plus, with an indoor playground, we wouldn't have to worry about weather. And I know DS would have a blast. $50 includes a happy meal and ice cream cone for each kid, a cake (but we could and would bring our own), balloons, games, and of course they would play on the playground.
Regardless of the judging or whatever -- honestly, if it's what your son wants, do it. Little kids should be allowed to make decisions about birthday parties without mommy politics playing into it. And honestly anyone who judges the wishes of a little kid and/or decides not to show up because they don't approve of the kid's choice of venue can fuck off anyway.
I keep going back and forth on this. You guys aren't really helping with your answers being all over the place.
I like the idea of McDonalds because, like @bettyhomewrecker33 said, the simpleness of it is refreshing. I don't have to get my house clean, I won't be obsessing over pinterest for a month and trying to tackle a bunch of crafty shit that just stresses me out, etc. Everyone just shows up, eats a happy meal, and then runs around and has fun on the playground.
I really only care about the possibility of people not showing up. Sure, I don't want to be judged, but I'm also not great friends with any of the daycare moms and my life would not be over if they judged. I do want my son's friends to show up, though.
I just called a McD's near us that has a really nice playland, and the price may have won me over. $50 for 8 kids, $5 each additional kid. A public park pavilion rental with no food is more expensive than that (I checked). Plus, with an indoor playground, we wouldn't have to worry about weather. And I know DS would have a blast. $50 includes a happy meal and ice cream cone for each kid, a cake (but we could and would bring our own), balloons, games, and of course they would play on the playground.
Regardless of the judging or whatever -- honestly, if it's what your son wants, do it. Little kids should be allowed to make decisions about birthday parties without mommy politics playing into it. And honestly anyone who judges the wishes of a little kid and/or decides not to show up because they don't approve of the kid's choice of venue can fuck off anyway.
Come on now. If we left it up to my nephew, his third birthday party would be spent running around naked at the grocery store. My daughter would rather eat a shoe than a birthday cake. I think we can all agree that not letting a child have whatever they want for their birthday, no holds barred, is okay. You are a parent. You are supposed to judge their actions and teach them right from wrong. Having an issue with what your kid wants is fine so long as you aren't being a dick to them about it ("No, Jimmy! You are insensitive for wanting a clown at your party! What about all the kids in communist China who can't have clowns! Go to your room and think about your privileged status!" etc).
I will stand by that and say it can extend to party venues before any fucking off commences.
We would go and hell no we wouldn't judge. My kids love the fuck out of McDonalds. Do you run with a group whose delicate sensibilities would be bruised from setting foot in that place? Do your friends' kids break out in hives at the mention of non-organic food? No? Then you'll be fine. I was letting these reponses get to me, then I realized that my friends arent's snooty and they don't lie to their kids about pest infestations. We're all pretty normal and we realzie that things are okay in moderation. We like to let our kids have a good time, and if it means letting them eat crap food on occassion and battle a few germs in the process, who the fuck cares. Ugh. This topic really bugs the shit out of me.
I keep going back and forth on this. You guys aren't really helping with your answers being all over the place.
I like the idea of McDonalds because, like @bettyhomewrecker33 said, the simpleness of it is refreshing. I don't have to get my house clean, I won't be obsessing over pinterest for a month and trying to tackle a bunch of crafty shit that just stresses me out, etc. Everyone just shows up, eats a happy meal, and then runs around and has fun on the playground.
I really only care about the possibility of people not showing up. Sure, I don't want to be judged, but I'm also not great friends with any of the daycare moms and my life would not be over if they judged. I do want my son's friends to show up, though.
I just called a McD's near us that has a really nice playland, and the price may have won me over. $50 for 8 kids, $5 each additional kid. A public park pavilion rental with no food is more expensive than that (I checked). Plus, with an indoor playground, we wouldn't have to worry about weather. And I know DS would have a blast. $50 includes a happy meal and ice cream cone for each kid, a cake (but we could and would bring our own), balloons, games, and of course they would play on the playground.
Regardless of the judging or whatever -- honestly, if it's what your son wants, do it. Little kids should be allowed to make decisions about birthday parties without mommy politics playing into it. And honestly anyone who judges the wishes of a little kid and/or decides not to show up because they don't approve of the kid's choice of venue can fuck off anyway.
This plus $50 for 8 kids. Done and freaking done. I would be throwing myself a party afterwards for saving so much cash. Somewhere in the back of their minds, past the judging, the dc moms are wishing they had the balls to say eff it and throw a McDs bday party too.
I bet if you host this party at McDonalds, some mom will show up with a Tupperware container filled with organic fruit and veggies.
See, I think that's more than fine. I can respect that, because the mom isn't being a big drama queen by boycotting a child's birthday party because her dietary wishes for herself and her child are different than another's. The thing is the kids still get to play and interact.
I bet if you host this party at McDonalds, some mom will show up with a Tupperware container filled with organic fruit and veggies.
Actually, I would get the Morningstar or Boca "chicken" nuggets so she wouldn't feel as much like she was missing out on something the other kids were getting. I don't understand why everyone who doesn't want to give their kids chicken Mcnuggets is suddenly villainized as a totally extreme parent.
Plus, so what if she did? How is judging her fruit so much better than her judging the chicken Mcnuggets?
I bet if you host this party at McDonalds, some mom will show up with a Tupperware container filled with organic fruit and veggies.
See, I think that's more than fine. I can respect that, because the mom isn't being a big drama queen by boycotting a child's birthday party because her dietary wishes for herself and her child are different than another's. The thing is the kids still get to play and interact.
Kumbaya, motherfuckers.
Totally agree. I wouldn't be offended at all and just care that people show up and sing happy birthday to my kid.
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.
Not at all, you just seem a little ornerier than normal. No one is angry here, just talking.
Well, now I'm so confused as to what it was *I* was doing....
Seriously, it seemed odd to mildly chastise someone for "judging" elle, when elle came in here guns ablazin' about kids' birthday parties.
Well, just to be fair, I was the one who was mildly chastised, and honestly, I don't care at all and don't really feel judged. I understand that Elle and others feel more passionately than I do about animal rights. And it's fine. That's not to say that I even eat at McDonalds, heck, I don't even have a kid. I just truly cannot imagine telling a 3 year old that we can't go to his friend's b-day party because of McDonald's stance on animal cruelty. That's bordering on a whole other sort of cruelty, IMO. And passing judgment and acting holier than thou over another parent's choice to throw the party is also ridiculous.
How would you feel if no one showed up to your kid's party because you are serving kale salad from Whole Foods for lunch and someone doesn't shop at Whole Foods because they are outspoken against the ACA and providing health insurance for all employees?
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.
WTF? My kid is not going to get her ass kicked for saying fast food is gross. DD hates pizza or anything with cheese on it. Do I agree with her? No. But dude I am going to make sure she steps up to what she thinks is gross at every occasion. She is entitled to her opinion. I hope she is brave enough to stand up for herself.
I am not totally against fast food. I grew up eating the shit. I think I probably even had McDonald's birthday party. I just think there are so many better options to offer in this area that DD probably won't ever want that.
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.
Really? If kids are this violent, I am going to remove my ute. This scares me.
No. Not literally. But why would someone teach their kid its ok to be judgemental and cruel to other kids because of something stupid as a bday party and not expect to get an ass chewing. Bday parties can be a tough thing on the pecking order for kids as it is.
To me its better to teach your child to be a gracious guest and accept foods they eat. I wouldn't allow my kid to respond "ew gross" at an offer of liver at dinner in someones home so why would I allow them to respond that way at an invitation to a kids party.
I am not totally against fast food. I grew up eating the shit. I think I probably even had McDonald's birthday party. I just think there are so many better options to offer in this area that DD probably won't ever want that.
How old is your DD? Because you might be surprised. I've given DS lots of other options - the frozen yogurt place, the public sprayground, our back yard with a dinosaur theme, a little arts center where they would do a craft and then have music time. Nope, he wants McDonalds.
If it were my child, and it were a close friend, I suppose I would take her to the party but explain to her how we feel about eating meat from McDonald's (which I assume our child would already know) and ask that the hostess please make my child's happy meal vegeterian. Forunately, I am very pro-sugar so I wouldn't care about the cake. If it were a casual friend I would not send my child. But there is a line. I wouldn't care if it were my child's best friend, I wouldn't send my child to a circus party.
Didn't we have a conversation similar to this about boy scout's at some point? I think this falls in the same spectrum.
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.
WTF? My kid is not going to get her ass kicked for saying fast food is gross. DD hates pizza or anything with cheese on it. Do I agree with her? No. But dude I am going to make sure she steps up to what she thinks is gross at every occasion. She is entitled to her opinion. I hope she is brave enough to stand up for herself.
I am not totally against fast food. I grew up eating the shit. I think I probably even had McDonald's birthday party. I just think there are so many better options to offer in this area that DD probably won't ever want that.
If she politley stnds her ground on her opinion then that is great but saying "ew anyone that eats there is soooo gross" is a totally different story