FTC Disclosure: As an ambassador for Central Arkansas McDonald’s, I receive compensation for posts that mention McDonald’s. However, I always share my genuine thoughts with you guys and have no plans to change that. 🙂
Can I get real with you for a minute?
I need socialization just as much as my son does. Shoot, maybe even more!
I’m a work-at-home mom (aka WAHM) and I also homeschool my 5-year-old son. Add to that the fact that I am a single mom and you can probably guess that I don’t get a ton of adult interaction.
Over the years, it has gotten better. When I first became a mom (and for the first several years), I sort of got lost in mommyhood. I didn’t really make much of an effort to spend time with my friends. However, as time went on and my son got older, I began to crave the socialization that I had been lacking.
Enter: playdates!
For those who are unfamiliar with the term, a playdate is essentially an appointment that you make with other moms to get your kids together to play. Sounds awesome, right? We all know that kids need to be around other kids their age. Playdates definitely deliver on that.
However, the bonus is that these playdates are also for us – the moms. They provide us with a chance to chat, catch up, vent, laugh, and just soak up the company of our fellow ‘big humans” (aka adults).
One of my favorite places to have playdates is McDonald’s.
Why?
Well, for one…there’s food. Playdates with food are always better. My son and I try to arrive a few minutes before the playdate so that we can order from the menu. He usually gets a kid’s meal (who can say no to a toy with your meal?). I get whatever my stomach fancies that day. Lately, it has been enjoying the Chef-Crafted sandwiches. Sometimes I even treat myself to a mid-day dessert because some days just call for ice cream and chocolate.
Secondly, they have indoor play areas. This means that you don’t have to worry about whether it is too cold, hot, windy, or wet to play. No matter what the weather is, McDonald’s play place is always an option. It also means that you don’t have to worry about safety. There is no risk of a child venturing off and being hit by a car. No worries about stray dogs. And the play place typically has things for kids of various ages to do.
Thirdly (why does that word always sound so awkward?), I also like the fact that our local McDonald’s has a room that is inside the play place, but also sort of cordoned off by a glass wall. This allows the parents to see what our kids are up to, but also still be able to chat with each other.
So the next time you are in the mood for a playdate, why not consider setting one up at McDonald’s? The kids can have fun burning some energy (fingers crossed for naps afterwards), everyone can have a snack or meal, and the moms (and dads) can spend some time chatting about things that have nothing to do with Sesame Street. Everyone wins!
P.S. If you happen to stop in between now and March 28th, check out the McPick 2 for $5. Your tummy and wallet will thank you.
