To ask our guest not to eat the baby-food?

[IslandCanary]

DH's friend and his partner are staying for a few nights. I've met her on 2 occasions, she seems very nice, normal, friendly.

On their arrival I told them to help themselves to anything from kitchen, showed them the snacks cupboard, fruit, fridge etc. Plenty of biscuits, chocolate, crackers, cake, yogurts, cheese etc. Baby food is in bottom half of cupboard.

This morning I found 2 empty jars of Heinz baby porridge in the recycling, along with an empty pouch of purred mango. Mid-morning I noticed her eating a baby cocoa-vanilla dessert straight from the jar!

I don't know what to do! DH thinks it's hilarious and says not to mention it. I'm irritated as the jars are expensive, they are for DS and there is plenty of other food.

AIBU to think this is really weird and rude? Should I hide the jars or let her carry on?

Still the weirdest thing in this whole scenario is the OP and her DH, not simply asking her to stop eating the baby's food

I hope you've hidden them well.... Like in your bedroom wardrobe..... Odds on she's got enough front to search every nook and cranny then ask you where they are. She clearly has no concept of your feelings or boundaries. (And may have never been taught these skills.) In this case, why would you care about her feelings or causing embarrassment? You may decide to tell her baby jars are off limits but I wouldn't be surprised if she calls you unreasonable!!

I don't think she sounds passive-aggressive or anything, just completely socially clueless. She obviously had no idea there might be anything wrong with her eating it, I guess she took the "eat anything you like" invitation at its word.

Like a PP said, as a houseguest, particularly when I'd never met the hostess, I simply couldn't just stand in somebody's kitchen, take something out of the cupboards and start eating it right in front of them, even if I'd been explicitly invited. I'd have to say "do you mind if I make myself some toast?" etc. I even ask permission to get myself a glass of water in all but my close friends' houses.

I'm guessing this woman isn't British!

Make her a bottle of formula for when you're all having a cuppa. If she says she doesn't want it, say "oh I didn't realise you were a bottle refuser" and offer her your boob instead

This made me snigger uncontrollably at my desk.

quim has it absolutely spot on, but its still hilarious. And "bottle refuser" - priceless .

I'm guessing this woman isn't British!

Other nationalities aren't necessarily impolite...

Sorry - nothing to add to thread - agree with all the 'weird', 'selfish' etc comments. OP needs to stand up for her child and tell this oddly selfish woman-child wannabe to pack it in.

Also - LTB?

Has she queried where they've gone or taken the hint?

She'll probably think the baby has been binge eating or that the OP has decided to eat baby food as well.

Lweji that's not what I meant at all! I was laughing at us tying ourselves up in knots about "etiquette" and "polite hosting" to the extent that the OP and her husband are incapable of just saying "please don't eat the sodding baby food", and referencing my own previous paragraph saying that even if I had been expressly invited to help myself, I would be incapable of getting so much as a glass of water without an "ever so sorry, do you mind..." which all seems very Ridiculous British Manners to me. Was more a comment on myself than on the babyfoodeater.

See how it came across though, apologies for any offence caused.

No offense taken. :)

It's just weird. The sheer number she seems to be getting through is weird too! How many is she eating a day?

Still the weirdest thing in this whole scenario is the OP and her DH, not simply asking her to stop eating the baby's food

I'm with you, Worra.

Still the weirdest thing in this whole scenario is the OP and her DH, not simply asking her to stop eating the baby's food

I agree with this, too.

Before the conversation, it was suggested the OP might clarify that she would rather the guest didn't eat the baby food. I don't know why she didn't do that when she had the chance, instead of all the cloak and dagger stuff.

I don't know why she didn't do that when she had the chance, instead of all the cloak and dagger stuff.

Because that wouldn't have been such a good story.

Sorry but no one would reasonably go into the fridge and pick out baby food if there is other food, even if they've been told to help themselves. I certainly wouldn't. Feels a bit weird to me. YANBU. can you move it elsewhere?

Tbh if she leaves soon I am with your husband... Smile and nod and let her get on with it. It isn't a big deal really.

Because that wouldn't have been such a good story

Yes, because NOBODY else ever embellishes their stories or even makes them up to make people on here laugh... I estimate at least 50% that's on 'classics' is pure fiction.

Turkey -Parsnip casserole sounds erm, delicious - wonder if she'll eat that

I think she's on a weird diet at home too

If you can't ask her not to eat it, then just move it.

I really want to know if she's eaten any of the baby food you left in the cupboard and if she's asked you where the rest has gone?!

Has she eaten the stuff you left? Strange lady. If she's not staying long then let her crack on, I'd struggle not to laugh if I'm honest (unless you genuinely think she's suffering from a nasty eating disorder, but given that she's perfectly happy to eat them infront of you I'd guess not)

I NEED TO KNOW IF SHE KEPT EATING THE FOOD!

Make her a bottle of formula for when you're all having a cuppa. If she says she doesn't want it, say "oh I didn't realise you were a bottle refuser" and offer her your boob instead.