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AIBU?

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Original poster

To tell PIL NO SWEETS

117 replies

arainytrip · 10/03/2026 17:16

I know … they are grandparents so it’s supposed to be their forte but surely it isn’t unreasonable to ask that the children (5 and 2) don’t have sweets like Haribo, Skittles etc? This weekend they came with those popper style things where you load it with sweets and fire them into your mouth (not sure what they are called sorry) which feels like a choke hazard for the two year old. But MIL just hands them straight to the children. My two year old has a very poor appetite as it is so just a few sweets and she won’t eat dinner.

I realise as they get older you can’t police everything but surely a few chocolates or raisins would be better?

OP posts:
Sunshineandoranges · 10/03/2026 17:35

Tiny chocolate bars are ok

IsItAllMenopause · 10/03/2026 17:35

Stick to your guns OP! There's absolutely no need for sweets for small children. There are lots of lovely foods they can enjoy.

Boomer55 · 10/03/2026 17:35

I’d pick the hill to die on, and this isn’t it.

Anon501178 · 10/03/2026 17:31

YABU- diet wise if it's just an occasional treat and no adverse health reactions

YANBU- if the sweets are a choking hazard.People are too blase about that- lollipops and small round hard or sticky sweets can be a real danger for under 5s.

Ultimately though, it's your kids your rules, and the grandparents do need to respect that.

MeganM3 · 10/03/2026 17:27

Yeah I agree with you. It sets a bad example for them if you generally don’t give out stuff like that.
I would ask your partner to let his parents know that the children shouldn’t be given any sweets while they’re with them. Birthday cake, ice creams, fresh fruit… ok.. but there’s literally no good reason to be giving out haribo and whatnot to two year olds.

sellingrocks · 10/03/2026 17:26

I wouldn’t let my 5 year olds have those whether - particularly the skittles and not regularly

my ex has a habit of by crap cheap sweets and it drives me nuts

AsparagusSeason · 10/03/2026 17:26

You have to be forceful. Our children never had sweets. The odd bit of chocolate, yes. Sweets, not once. Thankfully, the grandparents had no issue with this.

Pepperedpickles · 10/03/2026 17:25

Choking hazard stuff, yes say no. But sweets in general just let it go. Seriously.

Original poster
arainytrip · 10/03/2026 17:25

I don’t mind things like buttons and Freddos and the like, it’s just the sweets. I really don’t like them. I’ve tried not to say anything but this weekend in they come with huge bags of sweets and it is a bit annoying when you know that’s one healthy meal the two year old won’t be eating.

OP posts:
Nofeckingway · 10/03/2026 17:22

I wouldn't want my kids eating those really shite sweets either . Can you buy some that you approve of and ask them to only buy those and limit. I would have suggested Cadbury's buttons but dunno if they are better quality

Ohfuckrucksack · 10/03/2026 17:22

I think it will work best if you put the fewest limitations on grandparents.

So - choking hazard - worth a fight (Lollipops particularly)

Non choking sweets - not so much.

Gustavo1 · 10/03/2026 17:22

Gustavo1 · 10/03/2026 17:21

Could you say that the kids love the little treats but ask that they alternate sweets with bubbles or stickers for their teeth? You could always pretend the dentist has said they both need to cut down 😬

You could also keep some buttons or treats more suited to the youngest and quietly trade them to avoid any choking hazard x

For the sake of their teeth. Obviously not tooth stickers 🥴

Gustavo1 · 10/03/2026 17:21

Could you say that the kids love the little treats but ask that they alternate sweets with bubbles or stickers for their teeth? You could always pretend the dentist has said they both need to cut down 😬

You could also keep some buttons or treats more suited to the youngest and quietly trade them to avoid any choking hazard x

Maray1967 · 10/03/2026 17:21

Yhere is no way mine would have been allowed those at that age. Chocolate buttons yes, haribo etc no.

Pigletin · 10/03/2026 17:20

OP, unclench a bit

Original poster
arainytrip · 10/03/2026 17:19

Even if she chokes? Confused

OP posts:
Shoxfordian · 10/03/2026 17:18

Yabu, it doesn't hurt for them to have occasional sweets