Food for 20 month old guest... am I too controlling over my kitchen?

[boobashka]

My little nephew is coming for Christmas along with his parents (my DB and sis in law) and other family members. There will be 14 of us - like last year. This time last year when he was 8 months old, his parents took up valuable space in the packed fridge with all the ingredients for his meals which they made fresh for him 3 times a day. Quite honestly it was a bit of a pain over the 4 days they were staying with us. It was things like an open pack of chicken breasts balanced on bags of carrots and brocoli. I do admit to being a bit anal about my fridge but with the best will in the world, there ain't much space in there over the Christmas period with a houseful of guests!
I'm trying to not be controlling here. If they want to make meals for the little 'un again, I will try to be chilled out about it. But I was thinking of sending a text to say that I'm not adding salt or stock to any of the soups and sauces I'm making and freezing for Xmas - as a bit of a hint to say - you won't be needing to make anything for DN will you?! What do you think oh wise mumsnetters....?🤔

Probably shouldn’t say this then:

The palaver DB and DsiL were going to was quite a sight to behold! 😵Hopefully the pfb eagerness will have worn off a bit by now!!

They were probably anxious, maybe he’s fussy and they didn’t want to impose on you. We often took food for DS up until the age of 2 as it felt like less of an imposition than expecting a meal to be ready for him at 12pm or 5pm or subjecting everyone to the tantrum of a hungry toddler if he was fussy about what was served.

Yes @VivaVivaa Obviously I am internally judgey (who isn't? ) - I just don't want them to know

Could you have a cool box as a backup for if they turn up with 3 kilos of organic carrots? And just say - oh sorry there isn't room in the fridge with all the Christmas food but all this veg will be fine in the cool box 😬

Wouldn't assume they more relaxed now...my relatives are still like this with 5 year old

It sounds like they've put themselves under a lot of pressure with weaning but I also know that not every child takes to weaning as well as others so they maybe felt they had to do that in order to encourage ds to eat well.

I'd ask if there's anything they want you to get in but ds is 1 and I'd still be wary about things like the amount of salt he consumes. He eats exactly what we eat but we use low sodium stock cubes to manage that. You could maybe offer that as an option and then he should for the most part be able to eat with you unless there's any allergies or intolerances. Feeding a small child at someone else's house is quite stressful to be fair to them never mind a weaning baby.

I have a child that age and I think you should just ask if their child will be eating the same food as everyone else and if they have any requests. I don't get the salt thing, not sure if that's common or specific to them. Mine eats the same food everyone else does. Mine does drink a lot of whole milk which does take up space. I would just ask outright. You are being particularly precious though.

I would also ask about if he will sit up at the table or need a high chair (and if they will bring that) and what time he eats and naps. Its so much easier to steer things in a helpful direction if you know ahead of time