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Since she was embarrassed, maybe she is having a really bad week? At least her child isn't being starved!

@googly-eyes: Agree.

It's actual kind of disheartening to read some of the gleefully bitchy comments here, to be honest. For the record, I am one of those all organic/make everything homemade type of moms. That said, I realize how privileged and lucky I am to have the time, the support of my husband who helps me balance our schedule and the financial means to make the choices that I do.

We don't know this woman's situation and I think a little compassion goes a long way.

@Mrsbells: Perhaps we have a different definition of bitchy, and it wasn't my intention to single anyone out. My feeling is that even if this isn't "real life", the idea of people sitting around and heaping judgment on this woman who we don't know doesn't sit well with me.

I understand this is a place to vent, discuss, etc. with anonymity, but the fact is that we could stand to be a little more understanding about people's unique circumstances. People on HB are often bemoaning "lack of education" when it comes to parents doing something they disagree with (whether it's feeding, proper car seat usage, whatever) and I get that. But I think if I were a woman who maybe fed my kid McDonald's on occasion, I would feel bad about myself reading all of this and I wouldn't stick around to learn some of the awesome things that HB has to offer. And that would be a shame.

I honestly would not have judged. I would not even think twice about it.

I honestly don't think its a big deal. all in moderation, folks. yes it had to be reheated (and yuck reheated fast food sucks) but its not like she bought it and let it sit in her car over night, im sure she stored it in the fridge. and shes probably having a rough week and needed a break, I don't call that lazy or bad parenting, I call it real life.... to put it into perspective, its a couple of lousy meals, its not going to hurt anyone.

I totally agree with @meredithNYC: on the importance of not judging, and how a little compassion goes a long way.

@meredithNYC: Agreed.

@Freckles: @Mrsbells: Ah, thanks for clarifying because that wasn't really the impression that I got, but either way I still think its a little harsh to judge without knowing the circumstances. Though I do know it can be hard to turn those feelings off!

I'd judge, day old Mickey Ds is gross.

Honestly I wouldn't judge. We are in the throws of a cross country move and I'm doing all the oacking alone since my husband has surgery board exams today. I dont have time to cook nice meals at the moment. T has gotten some less than perfecg lunches this week and I would hope no one judges me for that.

I think the judgement smacks of immaturity, to be honest. It is like junior high school girls picking each other apart.

maybe her fridge is broken & she had to throw out all her food, maybe the kid is on a hunger strike & that's all they'll eat, maybe there's stuff going on in her life that is all consuming and lunch was the last thing on her mind. i have worked in schools where there were students with no food in their homes- we would save packaged foods from class parties and give it to them for snack time or on field trips when there wasn't free lunch served in the caf because otherwise no one gave them food, not even reheated fast food. i'm sure if she was feeling bad about it, there was a reason it happened & it was an unusual occurrence. she doesn't owe anyone a justification for her kid's lunch. her need to defend it says more about the people she's defending it to than it does about her ability to feed her child. i totally agree with @meredithNYC: on this one.

Ditto what @ms.janedoe: and agree w/@meredithNYC: And at least she didn't starve the kid and come empty-handed.

I came from a very career-oriented mom, who almost NEVER made me a packed lunch. I was often sent off with a check for lunch tickets and a frozen and nuked breakfast. Yuck. I turned out fine, but hate that kind of stuff. But I'm sure there will be days (or terrible weeks), where you just can't help picking something fast and easy. Not everyone mom can always be a wonder mom.

@T.H.O.U.: Have you seen Food, Inc.? A fast food meal was cheaper than fresh fruit the kid wanted. So sad, but often true.

@Mrsbells: To be fair, I didn't call anyone a bitch. I just referred to the behavior as bitchy, which is different. Still, if you are hurt by my comment, I apologize.

@shopaholic: yup. Sometimes McDonald's is cheaper than buying fresh food and fruit for your child. A happy meal is like $3 and where I live, just one apple costs about $1.50. A child's lunch with different kinds of fruits, veggies and little sandwiches or snacks and juice can be more expensive than that. Not everyone has the luxury of providing nutritious lunches for their kids all the time. I wouldn't judge in this situation.

@highwire: seriously, get the kid some FRESH french fries jeesh

I wouldn't judge because I just don't care what her kid eats; I just wouldn't feed my kid that. Especially reheated. If I didn't have time, I might have picked up a small sub and some yogurt from Subway with a milk. But, that's me and my kid and my situation.