Meet the Family session

We met my family today (minus MOTH) over lunch, coffee break, dinner & coffee break.
We didn't do much except sit around, eating and drinking. Actually I don't recollect if we had some proper exchanges of information.

Everytime my mom meets her grandchildren, she would give them a really huge bag of sweets and chocolates each. Children being children will then get "seduced" by the goodies. If they spend the whole day out together, they will be munching non-stop. If I'm not around, my parents will allow my kid to continue. You know why? Out of fear that the child will scream her lungs out in public. I rather she scream her lungs out in public than to suffer months and months of medication daily.

My 3.5 year old had too much to eat today (I am referring to the non-nutrition stuff). She started coughing again. I was a bit stirred up. For a long time now, I had wanted to suggest that my mom stops giving out goodies bags like Santarina. I finally did so today. I told her that it's fine to give her grandchildren goodies but in a smaller portion as the children cannot control their urges. She then argued that they must've their sweets as they're always expecting her to give them out. I reminded her that it's nice of her to hand out sweets but as the parents, we are paying the price. What's the price? Constant visits to the doctors and hospital. Plus expensive monthly medical bills. They, as grandparents do nothing, contribute to nothing towards caring, nurturing or loving this child.

At the end of today, ie around 9pm, the 3.5 year old decided to threw her tantrum as a farewell. She wailed, cried, screamed. I knew she acted this way as she's tired. She didn't have a nap the entire day. In fact, she wasn't entertained by the whole day trip at Orchard Road spent mostly sitting at the cafe.

I told my family to leave her alone in her room. As usual, they refused to heed my advice. They tried to sweet talk her... and her wailing got even louder. It was so extreme. They asked me to give in to her requests. I flatly refused. If my child wants my attention, she gets it but through the right way. She will not get my attention by wailing for it. I want her and I need her to understand "basic respect and politeness". Actually my parents have no right to preach to me. Should I had behaved in this manner when I was a child, my father would give me one tight slap immediately. He won't even care to give me a hug.

I told them to leave her alone. My temper raised when her Auntie May went up the stairs to give her attention. This time I raised my voice and asked her to get her butt back down. May had no choice not to leave her alone.

Excuse me, I'm the child's mother. Though I give her credit for caring for my child while I'm out at work, it doesn't mean that she can override my commands or decisions.