Going to McDonalds does NOT make me a bad mom!

I'm hearing so many parents today who say "my child will never eat that" or "we don't allow that kind of crap". Now I'm very careful with what my family eats especially since I'm a diabetic.  Our meals are balanced and there are lots of fruits and veggies.
So when Ben says "McDonalds tonight?" I don't have a problem with it.   Admittedly ours has a playspace and it's great for Garrett to run around and play (especially during the colder months in New England).
While visiting Western MA for Thanksgiving we got together with my friend  Ali and her husband and daughter.  We decided to meet at McDonalds since it has a play area. 

Putting shoes in the cubby

Garrett and Ro got lots of time to play and hand lots of fun while us parents got to chat.

"But you let him eat that stuff?"  Yes, yes I do.  We get him either nuggets or a burger and apple dippers.  He'll invariably reach for fruit before anything else. He'll even eat bits of my salad.  Garrett is a good eater, he's not picky and will eat just about anything set in front of him.  I'd be more worried if he never got a treat, never got to eat anything different. Maybe it's not a mommy perfect meal but he doesn't eat it all the time and certainly knows that McDonalds is a special treat.

So don't worry mom it's ok to go to McDonalds once in a while.  It's all about balance.