I (35F, no children) look after my 5yo niece once a week. I collect her from school (I bring a snack as she always thinks she's hungry but only eats a couple of bites; parents also offer a snack when they collect her), we chill out at mine for 1/2 an hour, I take her to gym class and then back to mine.
Her parents (brother and SiL) join us when they finish work. I cook dinner for all of us (usually a big pot meal like pasta or curry and veg). At the end of the meal, I like a piece of fruit, sometimes with yoghurt. Occasionally (maybe once every 6 weeks) there's something more exciting left over from Sunday guests.
Recently, brother has been asking me not to have/offer any fruit, because "niece won't drink her milk at bedtime." A couple of weeks ago niece overheard this and said "I want fruit not milk," but was told no.
Last week, she saw the fruit bowl on the side and said "please can I have fruit not milk?" And was told no. Since then, she's asking for fruit after dinner at home every night, and refusing her milk at bedtime. Brother and SiL are mad at me because it's become a battle of wills every day getting her to have her milk.
I don't have kids. I certainly didn't intend to cause any problems. Does niece need milk at bedtime at this age? Have I inadvertently done something wrong? If I have, any tips on how to correct it?
YABU - niece needs milk and you caused a problem
YANBU - it's OK to offer fruit instead