Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Christmas at in laws and lack of allergy awareness

254 replies

Runnermumof2 · 24/12/2025 13:59

AIBU. We spend alternating years at family for Christmas. This year it is with In-laws. My youngest has severe allergies and carries Epipens. They haven't made any adjustments for his allergies and so far nearly everything hasn't been suitable for him or me to eat (I'm breastfeeding which they know) we've lived on bagels the last two days and I bought some chicken and rice yesterday as emergency back up which we've used up already . I'm kicking myself that I didn't stock up on more meals items (I've brought plenty of baby snacks that are suitable) We've already had one incident with crisps and are dealing with the face and neck arches at the minute. Then they were annoyed last night when I moved said crisps and peanuts onto a higher table away from his reach . There was a few under breath comments of 'i can't sit over there the tortillas are over here now'
I'm so nervous about Christmas day now. It doesn't help that when my MIL brought up the peanut allergy my partner told her it was totally fine and we "want him to have some exposure so his allergies don't get worse" which is true, but not particularly at Christmas in the middle of nowhere and quite some distance from a hospital.
Christmas dinner prep is underway today and I've been putting things aside, like plain pasta as everything seems to be getting cream and cheese and milks added to them and I'm worried I'll accidentally expose him . I don't really know what to do. They all know about his allergies and can physically see the effects of the accidental crisps incident, but don't seem to be bothered.
I feel like I'm letting my kids down :(
I also don't want to come across as 'difficult' constantly asking about what the food ingredients are and have been trying to sneak read the packets of anything that's bought in.
AIBU thinking that they would have been more considerate?

OP posts:
deeahgwitch · 28/12/2025 10:40

Phoenixfire1988 · 27/12/2025 22:10

Your husband is an absolute cockwomble he's happy to watch his child in pain so he doesn't upset his parents ? I'd be packing my bags and fucking off if you dont advocate and protect your children who else will ? Allergys can and do kill will it take your child to go into anaphylaxis before they take it seriously?!

Edited

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

LucyC1992 · 29/12/2025 14:25

oh my goodness sending you so much strength. you are absolutely not being unreasonable with epipens involved you cannot risk exposure so please ignore that advice

KRG500 · 29/12/2025 23:39

OP I feel for you so much reading these messages. Allergy mum here of over 10 years. My in-laws totally misunderstood the seriousness for an intolerance. It was only when my poor daughter started wheezing in her high chair after cross contamination did they get it. They did apologise, but 10years later my MiL served up cake containing egg and nuts this Christmas, pthen proceeded to use her hands and then touch everything else. I had to stop myself hyperventilating and just quietly served my kids some plain fruit. Even her son has an almond allergy and she hadn’t remembered …. People just don’t get it unfortunately and don’t ever feel bad for advocating for your children. It empowers them, though it is scary when you don’t want to rock the boat.

BusyMum47 · 29/12/2025 23:56

ArtTheClownIsNotAMime · 24/12/2025 14:02

Your husband is standing by and watching this happen?

I would tell them you're clearly not welcome as there's nothing for you to eat, go home, and think about whether this man is good enough.

This! ⬆️

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread