A
female
age
51-59,
anonymous
writes:In three weeks time my 15-year-old son will become 16.I've asked him what he wants to do for his birthday, and he said he wants to eat out at every McDonald's, Burger King and Pizza Hut in the area.I've said to him he can go to one of those restaurants, not all of them, but he's become insistent we have to eat out at all of them.I've told him there's no difference between them, but he insists "WE HAVE TO GO TO ALL OF THEM!! PLEEEASE!!"He does have a big appetite, but isn't overweight.I spoke to my husband about it last night and he said I was right, our son shouldn't get everything he wants and that we'd be in debt if we did it.Our son keeps on insisting that we go to ALL the restaurants (McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Burger King) that he mentioned, but we've told him no and he refuses to accept it.His 21-year-old brother, who is in university, agrees with us. He said to him: "It's not healthy, don't eat loads of fast food, have fun but don't do it to excess!" However, he refuses to accept his brother's advice, and said "I WANT to eat out at every McDonald's, Burger King and Pizza Hut in the neighborhood!"I asked him if he wanted to do anything else on his birthday besides fast-food, but he said no. He told us "Food is my favorite thing. Gawd, isn't fast food great??" and said "On my birthday, we MUST go to all the McD's, Pizzahut and Burgerking outlets in the area and sample their great foods!"What can me and my husband do to convince him that it's not possible, and it's a bad idea?? He refuses to listen to us.We've only got 3 weeks before his birthday, how can we deal with this without getting overly stressed??
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male
reader, anonymous, writes (29 September 2007): Were it my son, who's a similar age, I'd just say ok, you can do that on your birthday. Just that one day because it's your day. No way could any 16 year old make it around all the fast food restaurants in a neighbourhood without being sick. Take him to Pizza Hut, let him have a large pizza and whatever else, then after that he might be able to manage a McDonalds... but I doubt he'll be able to get any further, however big his appetite is.
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (29 September 2007): You really got to put your foot down. Your son is showing no respect for you guys. When it was my birthday I never abused my priviledges or asked for stuff that I knew was beyond my parents means. There has got to be a balance between child-parent relationships and in this one there is no balance. It is his way or the highway. And that is not normal. Why does he think it is ok for him to act this way?? Most normal children know that they cannot get everything that they want. And it is a parents job to teach their children this fact. And to teach them to be respectful and grateful for what they do have. And be grateful for what you are willing to give them that is within your morals and within your means.
So tell him that it is impossible for you to do this and get mad at him for behaving so irrationally. Show him that his behavior is out of line. I don't think he realises this. So it is up to you to show him this.
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A
female
reader, flower girl  +, writes (29 September 2007):
 Tough love, if he wont chose just one, tell him that you will not do anything for his birthday, i know thats harsh but hey sometimes our little angels need that to make them realise.
Take care.xx.
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A
female
reader, drastic knowledge +, writes (29 September 2007):
 set ground rules for him even if it is hes birthday your still incontroll so just say no i wont take you to all of them and pay for what you want, let him know you are the parents and hes still the child no mater of what hes age is and intill he is 18 you can tell him in your best intressed what to do
eating all that fast food wont be good for him maybe a lil food from burger king and mc.d than oder a pizza
but surely not ever mc.d's and burger king and pizza hut in the area
sure he maybe upset with you but you cant always win just some times you got to do whats right for him
good luck
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