To think that SiL is not actually being that helpful?

[MumJokes]

Everyone is coming to ours for an extended stay over Christmas. I will be doing ALL the cooking and all the everything else.

SiL has emailed me a helpful list of all the things she and her son do and don't like to eat.

Petit filous for breakfast.
Carrots only if cooked.
Nothing too oniony.
Skips or cheese strings or soft fruit for snacks.
Broccoli, cauliflower and peas are fine.
No to aubergine, courgette or squash.
Pesto only if home made.
occasional low sugar juice for a treat but mostly water or milk to drink.
Brioche toasted with proper butter.

It goes on and on...

Apparently she thought the list might help me out.

Aibu? Or is she being a socialy stunted arsehole?

Blimey what a faddy kid! Parent! Mine would just roll up and enjoy anything going. Even if we're picky about the odd thing, I'd not tell people. Part of them expanding their food repertoire is meeting new/different foods when at people's houses.

I have an only, am relatively fortunate in terms of both available time and finances, and am laughing like an idiot at "Pesto only if home made".

She sounds insane. Telling you that 'my child is stupidly fussy, if you could possibly manage some yoghurt, pasta and pesto for emergencies' would be a bit entitled (just bring it if you're that fussed) but basically OK. Specifying that you should MAKE PESTO when you are already catering for everyone is totally bonkers.

I reckon get in some thomas the tank engine yoghurts and ask him what he wants those or petit filou .

I'd just ignore it. She will find something suitable to eat I'm sure.

Coconutty message re watching her make the pesto is fab.

Otherwise I'd ignore the message outright.

I need to know what else is on there though.

Personally I'd email her back (and cc other family members on the guise of informing everyone attending) with a list of what you will be cooking.. like:

"Thanks for the list. I've CC'd (family) in this email so that everyone knows what will be available:

I'll be making:

• x
• y
• z

Drinks wise we'll have

• x
• y
• z"

We won't have a lot of fridge space so please let me know if you'll be bringing an additional dish. We will have storage space though if you'd like to bring snacks that don't need refrigeration that's totally fine.

Alternatively, there is a (supermarket) down the road that's open (times) so you can always pick up something if we don't have it.

Look forward to seeing you all."

ps. yeah she is BU.

I personally have interesting eating habits. I do prefer to know what will be available if it's the first time I've eaten at a particular place but there's normally SOMETHING I can eat.

Her list is just.. wow. I can't imagine sending that to someone without them enquiring. I did email a similar list once when someone asked me for "dietary requirements" but I made it shorter (love chicken and mashed potatoes and hate green beans and salad) without getting into crazy specifics. That way something was there I could eat :)

I love the idea of misunderstanding it as an offer to provide those things. I'd maybe add a request if my own so ..

That all sounds great, I really appreciate the offer. It's a big help. It gets so difficult catering for everyone. Maybe a wider selection of veg for the adults though and please could you also pick up x and y? The DC love those. See you soon and thank you again xx

Mwah ha ha

What is the issue with shop bought pesto?
I mean I have made my own but it didn't taste any better than shop bought.

I'm a bloody brilliant baker and my cakes are a million miles better than shop bought but pesto is like pastry. I can make my own but it actually won't be better than shop bought.

Would she even know if you decanted a tub of supermarket fresh pesto? I wouldn't.

Haha. She would get what she was given if she came here. Get her to bring the pesto definitely - how could you possibly live up to her lofty standards of pesto making?

How did you respond in the end OP?

So proper butter only not improper butter whatever the fuck that is.

Improper butter?

Have you ever seen 'last tango in Paris'?