As an occasional treat there’s nothing wrong with it. It took me years to come to that conclusion and shrug off the guilt but I always get judged because I’m heavier and people jump to conclusions about what my children eat because of my weight sadly, when they really have no idea

I think once a week is okay. Any more than that is probably not the best way to go and I would be encouraging them to cook in the kitchen and enjoy less processed food.

Always a nice treat, but pair it with a positive reinforcement for other good behaviour. We used to get it on a Sunday if we are all.pur dinner for the entire week. Mum used a rewards chart

As long as your kids are getting the nutrition they need, Maccas isn’t that bad. Not like it was years ago anyway. Maybe give them vitamins if they need.

It’s ok to eat it occasionally as long as they eat

It’s all part of a balanced diet and teaching kids about making healthy options. As long as the good outweighs the bad, your doing just fine

As long as it’s only a sometimes food and most of the other time is healthy, you’ll be fine.

The children love McDonalds,it is always nice to give them a treat!

I think that everything has to be in moderation. You’re not a bad mum for giving in every now and then. This is how I have approached bringing up my boys and although they don’t always like it, they understand.

We grew up with a junk night once a week growing up and we do something similar now with my kids. My son has no problems eating veggies but if he wants pizza, KFC or maccas one night out of 7 then we let him. I have always been thought i’m glad we had junk food every now and then because as I got older I wasn’t as interested in it because I’ve had it before and it wasn’t a forbidden thing I couldn’t have, I’m hoping that if my kids eat healthy for the most part and are allowed to have treats then it might help when they are older not over do it on take away food.

No, you are not alone. I guess I am all about flipping poor attitudes so, for me, going to McDonalds would be contingent upon good eating habits at home. So, that way it is about recognition of good choices, rather than caving from the feeling that you have been completely worn down by your child. (Which is my view is a poor behaviour choice of the child’s part that needs to be dealt with.) Obviously I don’t have all the details of what is going on in your circumstances, but my best advice is to make it a ‘treat’ for good choices at other times and to put some boundaries around how often a take out meal is acceptable as part of a health diet. Kids are never to young to understand that there are ‘every day foods’ and ‘sometimes foods’.

You are absolutly not alone nor are you being a bad mum. My first did and still does eat everything. My second is a nightmare. He only eats white food. White chips, white bread, white rice, white pasta. Nightmare. He will grow out of it as will yours. That fact that you care makes you a great mumma.

Don’t be so hard on yourself.
If it was daily, I would say that it’s probably not the best, but every now and then, who cares.
We have a ‘junk’ night once a week (usually when we are home late from after school sport) and the kids usually want McDonalds. I stopped feeling guilty about it a long time ago as I know the meals that I cook the rest of the time are healthy.
Enjoy having a night off cooking!

I personally think a happy meal is fine once a week, My Miss 15 was a super fussy eater from a young age and if it meant she would eat we caved and gave her anything she wanted. Your doing a great job mumma

Once is a while is fine you shouldn’t feel guilty about that. Us parents always feel the pressure of ‘are we doing the right thing for our kids’, so don’t stress.

Once in a while is absolutely fine! Even so, there are healthier options to opt for with Happy Meals. For example get the fruit bag instead of fries, a chicken wrap and water for the drink!

As an occasional food, why not We had an appoinment at the RCH Melbourne last week, my 6yo chose a happy meal. I got it. She eats pretty good most of the time so i dont think a special treat every now and then will hurt

If it happens once in a while, I don’t find it a big problem either. The problem is when it happens often, once a week or more. What about trying to prepare at home foods that kids enjoy? You can easy make your own chicken nuggets and bake them in the oven for example.

I think a Happy Meal on occasion is quite alright so long as the bulk of children’s meals are more nutritious. I think studies have shown that the burgers and fries are loaded with preservatives.