McMom

by Laurel Fuqua

I have found that Thursday night after 6:30 p.m. is a great time to take your children to McDonalds. I know, I know, you can't believe that I actually take my daughter to McDonalds for dinner and especially in the middle of the week. I admit, it is a selfish thing on my part but hey, I don't do it every week!

It all started quite by accident, but now it continues. I have become a devoted McMom and there are four very selfish reasons why.

One summer evening towards the end of the month, the only thing I could find in the refrigerator for dinner was a bowl of leftover beef stew. That would have been OK, but when I took off the lid, the sage green topping and putrid smell kept that entrée off the menu and into the garbage disposal.

I was tired and stressed and my six year old was very hungry. So, as I listened to "I'm hungry" for the umpteenth time, I turned and asked, "Honey, how would you like to go to McDonalds for dinner". I immediately became a heroine. "Oh, mama, I love you soooo much." When we walked out the door, I grabbed the morning newspaper that had yet to be opened.

We went to one of the McDonalds that had an indoor play area and while we waited for our food, we discussed some "rules". No playing until you have eaten. Come back to the table when called. We are leaving as soon as it is dark. No whining when time to leave. If the rules are broken, we will never (yes, I said the "n" word) come back again. What happened next amazed me.

She asked me if I needed help with the tray and then she led me to a table near the play area and said, "Here, Mama, this is a nice clean, quiet table." She sat down, whispered a little prayer and ate all of her Happy Meal while chatting away about her day at kindergarten.

I listened in awe. Usually at the dinner table, I ask how was your day and what did you do and I get responses like, "OK, good, I don't remember." Here we were, having a wonderful little dinner conversation over french fries, catsup and honey mustard. Little did I know that the best was yet to come.

"Can I go play now?" She handed me her shoes and off she went to romp with the four other children whose parents were "bad" enough to take them to McDonalds in the middle of the week for dinner. Yep, only four, not the usual Saturday 20 or 30. This made for a quiet, restful reading environment. I opened my paper and read every single page, even the Sports section! It didn't even matter that I discovered I was reading yesterday's paper!

The next thing I knew, there was this little tap on my shoulder and voice saying, "Mom, it's getting dark outside now. Can I play for a few more minutes though?" It was dark, so I said "no"and she said "but.." and I said "no" and then she put on her shoes. No fussing, no begging, no whining. I was in awe. It was 8 p.m. by then and she fell asleep on the drive home. I carried her into the house and put her to bed, again without any arguments.

That was a special evening for the two of us. We spent quality time together, she had playmates, I had kind of a free, childcare center for a while and got to read the paper without any interruptions! I am now a devoted McMom, and, along with the few other McMoms and McDads who have figured this out, look forward to the nights when selfish reason number one happens.

PS: Please don't tell too many people or we won't have selfish reason No. 3 any more.

Family | Career | Art of Juggling | Single Moms | Health
Dad's Voice | Bookshelf | News | Recipes | Sports Mom | Discussion Lists
Business Directory | The Boards | Wisdom of Mothers | Postcards | Resources
Search | About Us | Contact Us |Advertising on the Refuge | Home

Copyright © 2000   Working Moms Refuge.