AIBU to refuse to let relatives take my children’s Easter eggs to donate to a food bank?

[ConnectionsAndWordle]

We had relatives visiting yesterday who saw our children’s Easter eggs and throughout the day kept commenting that they have too many. I said they’ll eat them eventually so not to worry. They do have a lot, but they are all aged 15+ so perfectly capable of deciding what they want to eat. One child opened one during the day and offered it around. They’ve been sharing them with friends and will eat them so they won’t go to waste.

As my relatives were leaving, they said they would take some of the eggs and donate them to a food bank and started putting some in a bag. I told her to stop as kids would eat them. They continued choosing which ones to take so I again told them no.

One of my children came downstairs to tell them to leave them alone as well and asked them to put them back. Relative told my child (teen) that she should think of others and not be so selfish. I told her not to call my child selfish for not wanting to give away eggs that are theirs.

Relatives husband said I was being unreasonable and selfish, like my child. My husband then came home which stopped the conversation. They left soon after, without the eggs, but clearly weren’t happy.

They have sent me a text this morning to say they were disappointed in what I said and for siding with my child and that they would like an apology as they were ‘told off’ and were ‘made to feel embarrassed.’

Would you even bother to respond? It’s completely pathetic but I don’t feel like I have anything to apologise for.

No one has mentioned the point of view of the person who gave the Easter egg to the children. I am a grandmother and I budget carefully throughout the year so that I have money for the pleasure of thoughtfully choosing birthday and Christmas gifts for my grandchildren. At Easter it is my pleasure to individually select a chocolate egg specially appropriate to each child and to make this gift to them. I would be absolutely outraged if somebody felt able to remove this saved for and lovingly chosen gift to give to a food bank. How dare they be so interfering?

Unbelievably rude!!!!

Ignore their text but they wouldn't be coming to my home again.
Or you could text back, "you are no longer welcome, solved it for you"
They sound absolutely batshit.
How dare they.

You do realise this is not normal behaviour?

Exactly what I was thinking that they wanted them for theirselfs cheeky bastards!

I think they take the prize for Cheeky Fuckers of the week!

this just doesn’t sound real.

I do not appreciate it when people who are guests in my house attempt to steal from my children.

I'm glad you and your child stood up to the bullies, at least, and that they went away empty-handed! No way would I apologise, and nor should your child. I'd be surprised if either of them is actually embarrassed, as they must have rhino skin to try to shame a grandchild for having a few extra Easter eggs, but if they are embarrassed, then good. They made themselves look ridiculous and like exceptionally unloving grandparents.

I would respond asking for an apology for them trying to steal from your children.

I’d have told them to fuck off and mind their own business. How dare they try to steal your kids treats? Whether they think it’s excessive or not isn’t the point, it’s the fact that they have no business taking things without asking and making judgements on what your kids eat or not. Were they controlling and stingy with you growing up or do you think it’s a case of having nothing better to worry about?

Agree. Tell them to piss off and don't come back. Hideous behaviour.

Having an opinion is one thing but actually taking them and then backing up being twarted with snotty opinions?

What on earth was your childhood like @ConnectionsAndWordle

That's insane. I have no one in my family who would try such nonsense. You need to set the tone by not rising to this and making it clear that only your rules and decisions count in your home.

I'm still wondering what their intentions were, once at the food bank, had they been allowed to escape with the stolen goods.

Would they have been all smiles and jollity: "Here's a lovely treat for the kids!"; or would they have said "We have this toxic junk food that we need to get rid of - can we dump it off on you?"

If the former, then they are freely acknowledging their agreement that there's no problem at all with enjoying chocolate in moderation over a period of time - as the rightful owners of the eggs had already been demonstrating - so they had absolutely no justification to steal them in the first place.

If the latter, they clearly see poor people and their health as unimportant 'non-people' - which is a truly nasty thing to believe.

Either way, they are horrible, hypocritical thieves.

Next time your parents come round hide any “bad” food in a box in a wardrobe or suitcase until they’ve gone.

Your post reminded me l still had Easter egg left so l enjoyed a little treat!
Interested to see that everyone was sure it was the inlaws ..always the baddies!!!

Nobody should have to hide food from visitors. Just don't invite them or if they do come check their bags on the way out

Yet another case on MN of utterly toxic grandparents having inexplicable access to grandchildren.

Have a rethink OP.
Trying to steal your childrens property?
Berating them and you?

Utterly toxic.

Yes, you wouldn't dream of inviting people into your home if you knew that they were likely to help themselves to any money left on the side, or to slip your phone into their bag or pocket.

ANY known thieves would not be welcome in my house.