A late uncle began bringing small local candies for many cousins, creating a cherished family tradition. The writer continued the practice while traveling and now brings regional sweets for nieces and nephews. A sister-in-law, Anabel, enforces strict health-food rules and objects that the gifts exclude her children, which she says causes fights. The writer suggested alternatives like gum or stuffed animals, which Anabel rejected. Family members largely sided with the writer, and the disagreement strained relations with the writer's brother, who felt unsupported.
Our late uncle was a pilot, and he had a tradition where he would pick up little local candies and bring them back for all the cousins. There were 15 of us, so it was always just small treats. But it's a cherished memory. I started a career that lets me travel, so I have picked up the tradition of bringing small regional sweets whenever I see my nieces and nephews.
But my sister-in-law, "Anabel," is a health food freak where there is no sugar, no dyes, and nothing fun. She feeds her family rabbit food, and her kids rebel against it often. I am usually hands-off with how my brother handles his wife and kids until now. Anabel told me to stop giving the other children sweets because it was "excluding" her kids and causing fights because her kids want what their cousins have.
Anabel was very put off by this, and reacted even worse when the rest of our family sided with me over her. Anabel thinks she can dictate what everyone's diet is and constantly complains about what my mother and sisters make for dinner, but still uses us for free child care. My brother is upset I didn't back him up and his wife over something so "small."
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