“We’re going to go out to eat tonight,” I informed my children, just before asking the stupidest question imaginable. “Where do you want to go?”
This launched us into an endless discussion about the merits of various places, with many spots being instantly turned down simply because they were favored by the other sibling. What about this? No, they don’t want this. What about that? No, don’t feel like that either. After what felt like years of debate, we finally settled on a place, and we drove there. We were seated at our table, the menus were perused, and then the waitress asked us what we wanted to order.
“Chicken nuggets,” they said. Because of course they did. And that’s when it hit me. No matter where we went, they would have ordered chicken nuggets. Why on Earth did they care where we went to eat? They knew what they were getting! Was that whole painful process really just a referendum on the ambiance of Denny’s? Were they debating which menu had the super-duper-funnest word search? Could their brains have been going back and forth, trying to decide which place had the best crayons? Because I know they were not wondering what type of food they were in the mood for.
Burger King: Chicken Nuggets
Denny’s: Chicken Nuggets
Uno’s: Chicken Nuggets
IHOP: Chicken Nuggets
McDonald’s: Chicken McNuggets (Okay, so that one is slightly different…)
I don’t mean to suggest that my children only eat chicken nuggets at restaurants, because sometimes they get grilled cheese, but seriously, every kids’ menu is the same. Chicken Nuggets, Grilled Cheese, Hot Dog, Sliders, Mini-Pizza, and once in a while a Quesadilla. Everywhere we go, it’s identical. Seafood restaurant, Italian restaurant, Diner, Fast Food, they all have the same items. So why do the kids care where we eat out?
If you have ever asked your children where they want to eat, I am sorry to report that you have wasted your time. It literally does not matter to them. Unless they have dietary restrictions and need to go to that gluten-free restaurant, in which case your choice is probably made for you anyway, they will be getting the chicken nuggets, with or without the “Mc.”. So don’t bother asking your kids where they want to go. Take charge. Think about what you want for a change! Because you already know what your kids are getting before you even leave the house.