Should I?

My personal advice in this matter would be to keep the floor hygienically clean and do not pin point your in laws mistakes as they might feel bad to hear about it, this is because the in laws are elderly and normally no elderly person feels it good to be corrected in front of the younger ones or by the younger ones for that matter, so for the time being you can keep the floor around where ever your child is clean and they themselves will realise their folly in time or if someone else of their same age tells them that they are wrong they will try to correct themselves...smiles...thanx

By all means tell them. Don't be mean about it, but they have to know. Tell them that with the swine flu, you cannot be too careful and it is soooo important to protect their precious grandson. Joke about your housekeeping skills not being the best and the floor being dirty. Tell your mother-in-law "This floor is not like yours. You can't eat off of this floor." Tell them about the pesticides they use on fruit. Be as picky as you please. They will tease you and maybe joke about it. But make them respect your wishes. If they try to give him something from the floor, take it from the baby and throw it away. Make a production of it. Jokingly. Lovingly. But firmly. Been there. Done that.

I have an idea you could try and maybe it will work? Drop a piece of fruit on the floor in front of them (make it look like an accident), and then when you pick it up either throw it out and make a comment about germs on the floor, or, pick it up and take it over to the sink and wash it first before giving it back to him. Mention again about germs. Maybe if they see you doing this, they'll get the hint and you won't have to tell them anything else. Otherwise, you'll have to say something or just take it from them and wash it off yourself before giving it back to him. Just talk about the germs so they get it in their heads.

Hi Karen, You should try to let your paprent in law know your opion in a polite manner otherwise they will never know what you try to explain. If you did not tell them, I am sure that one day the contradict will expose with the long time sufferings. On the other hand, you should talk to your son to imply that the food on the floor is not sanitary and it might be growing worm insdie the stomach to scare him. If you do so, I am sure your parents will take much care of it and it will not harm your relation as well.

If I was you, I would sit them and tell them about it. But, I would do it in a nice and mannerly way. I would tell them that it is not healthy for you son and it could make him very sick. Also, I would also tell them not to do it no more but remember in a nice and mannerly way.

Yes, tell them, but do it in a nice way, so they are not offended by what you say. It is your right to speak up about it, it is your son, after all.

Its all depend on how long ur in-laws are going to stay with you..If they have come for short period then u shd avoid and telling them and bare these for short time.. But if they are going to stay with you for ever or long term.. you shd definately work on this..tips.. 1. can explain them very calmly and firmly.. 2. can tell this to ur hubby who can make them understand 3. can do certain work by urself i.e feed ur baby by uself by avoiding them doing it for ur baby which is i know very difficult.. 4. explain them the advantges and disadvantages of doing certain things which is good or bad.. I hope it will help you I too ahev faced the similar issues and had a fight with my inlaws...bt i advice you to not to fight with them as i know the result very well... Have a nice time..

Hi karenkarenkk, yes, I would definitely try to correct their behaviour, because the health of your kid is at stake here. Your parents-in-law are probably not aware of what they are doing, and it might help if you talk to them about it. There is a difference between critizising somebody, a fact that might hurt your relationship with them, and trying to diplomatically change somebody's behaviour without causing damage to your relationship with them. First of all, when you do so, talk mainly about yourself. Describe briefly, but precisely, their behaviour ('when you pick up the food from the floor....')and then stop talking about them. Instead talk about yourself, the way it makes you feel, your concerns for your son´s health. Describe your emotions as clearly as possible. As a last step, talk about possible consequences if they don´t change that behaviour. Tell them about possible health issues, the way your son would suffer. Hope that helps, good luck to you.

I think you really should say something to them. You have to be careful and make sure you choose your words in a way that won't be insulting to them. I would just tell them that you are afraid of him getting sick and so you don't feed him food once it has dropped on the floor and most concerning I think would be washing his fruits. I mean, most of our fruits are in bins at the store and other people pick them up and put them back. Who knows what sorts of germs could be on the fruits and vegetables.

I think that you should tell them, if not for yourself, at least for your son's sake. Just explain it to them. After all, he's your son and you and your husband should raise him the best way you know how, not your in-laws. I'm not trying to say that they shouldn't help, or that you shouldn't allow them to help. All I'm saying is that you should try to let them understand your point of view.

Hello Karen, Well my dear,you can tell your inlaws how important is hygiene,and how harmful are bacterias too. Like the food from the floor,you can tell them that,your floor is so dusty and not clean,and the fruits from the market were sprayed with pesticides unlike from the provinces where fruits ripen naturally from the tree.That it why,it should be washed carefully to remove traces of poison from pesticides. You can explain to them in a nice and proper way to avoid hurting their feelings.I knew it is really hard,but,i also believed you can make it,without hurting their feelings too. Cheers my friend and have a nice weekend ahead.

Hi karen,It is quite difficult to comment about your situation because as we allknow,olds are very sensitive.The best way is to tell them frankly, heartily with love so that it cant hurt them.We know grandparents loves their grand children so much. Just explain to them and I'm sure they will understand you.Thanks GoodLuck.

It's good to know that you have a good relationship with your in laws more often in laws tend to be called monster in laws since a lot of in laws do get not along. In your case, I think you have to tell you husband first and let him do the talking to his parents. If you tell them yourself chances are they'll feel hurt and your relationship with them may turn sour. Sometimes old people are sensitive and you have to be careful on how to inform them on things that they do that you do not like. Your husband is in the best position to tell your in laws on how to take care of their grand child. Cheers!

if i wud hav been in ur place i wud have requested them not to do so. it's the life of ur son.. u can tolerate if they do the same to you but finally u hav to luk after ur son.. God forbid if something happens to him everyone will point their fingers at you not at ur in-laws. and unhygienic foods affects kids very fast.. may b i m wrong..but i wudn have tolerated this attitude...

Or I wish you good luck bar.