People bringing glutened goods into your home

[Guest guest]

I just sent off 10 house guests who were here for 4 nights. My three boys ages 13, 11 and 6 have celiac. The guests were my husbands parents and all of his siblings and their children. The only other "children" in the group were ages 2, 20 and 22. We were celebrating my husbands parents 60th wedding anniversary - what an accomplishment!

At any rate, I was caught off guard when all of them, including the grandparents walked in with tons of cakes, homemade cookies, banana bread, pies, etc. - all of it glutened. They are well aware of our children's condition and all of the limitations. We have stayed at their homes since diagnosis and we have sent them articles and emails giving them info on the condition. We have shared with them how hard it is for the boys to be around all of the things they can't have and what an issue cross contamination is - you should see the CRUMBS on my counter, floor, etc.

Interestingly enough, I had baked alot of GF items and people scarfed them up. They didn't eat their own baking until ours was gone, which left me to do additional baking for the boys. That part was a good thing because my kids liked that others like the GF pies, etc.

I am surprised that no one at least called me to ask if it was ok. They are my in-laws and not my own family and I think that is part of it. My mom and sister have knocked themselves out to bake gluten-free when we visit or when they visit us. They would not think of bringing glutened items into our home.

As they were packing to leave last night, I did invite them to take all of the left over baked goods home. I said, "The boys can't have them and Randy and I do not eat those things in front of them." Hint hint.

I am just looking for some clear perspective that I might not have. My inlaws have treated our children dufferently all along (the other grandchildren are children of their daughters) , so I am wondering if my feelings on this are just "carry over" from previous issues not related to the celiac. It is obvious that my husband thinks what they did is fine, but that would be a whole other chapter.

I would like your input on two things. Am I wrong to be annoyed at what they did? How would you handle it the next time?

Thanks,

in GA