Amidst the rising panic and tears, the narrator’s heart pounds with guilt and urgency, desperately trying to protect and explain. The warmth of family togetherness is overshadowed by fear, as the fragile trust between loved ones is tested in the most unforeseen way.
This is an ongoing situation, and I am currently writing this as my niece is having a full-on meltdown. Today was my day off and I decided to whip up a batch of pot cookies (cookies that have weed extract in them) so I can snack on them for the weekend.
After they finish baking, I left them out on a cooling tray so they can set. Just as I finished cleaning up the kitchen, I hear the doorbell and went to answer, and surprise surprise, it’s my sister with an 8-year-old niece and husband.
It’s been a while since I’ve last seen them, so it was a happy surprise. I let them in, and the smell of cookies still in the air, the niece goes bolting towards the kitchen.
I instantly go chasing her, and as I round the corner into the kitchen, the niece had just grabbed a cookie and was about to eat it. Quick on my feet, I swooped in and grabbed the cookie out of her hand, saying that these were adult cookies.
This caused the niece to start freaking out. My sister followed in, and I explained to her that these cookies had pot in them and assured her I was able to take the cookie away from the niece before she had eaten any.
She instantly blows up at me, saying I shouldn’t have pot cookies out when there are kids in the house. I explained how I had just finished baking them and they were setting, and the fact that I didn’t expect any children to be around (I am a single man, no kids).
She asked if I had anything that wasn’t “laced,” and unfortunately, I didn’t. By this point, the niece has locked herself in the bathroom and is crying.
My sister gave me a big lecture about having drugs in reach of kids, while I stand on the premise of, there wouldn’t be an issue *if I had even known they were planning on dropping by today.* She called me a huge irresponsible asshole, and I responded, “Well, maybe if you taught your daughter to not just grab shit, we wouldn’t be in this mess!”
She left to try to get the niece out of the bathroom, and I’m sat here typing this. Am I really the asshole here? I can understand not having drugs out in the open with kids around, and I never would—*if I had known there were going to be kids around.* Also, before I get any flak, I’m in Canada, and weed is legal here.
Conclusion
The original poster (OP) feels defensive because the conflict arose from an unexpected visit, arguing that his actions were reasonable given his assumption of being alone. His sister, however, holds the firm position that storing any psychoactive substance within reach of a child is fundamentally irresponsible, regardless of prior knowledge.
Is the OP entirely at fault for leaving edibles accessible when his niece unexpectedly visited, or does the sister share responsibility for not communicating her visit and for the child’s immediate grab for the unattended food?
Here’s how people reacted:
In fact, when bringing in an entire tray of cookies to a classroom of 8 year olds they sat down and waited.
I dont know any kids that are just allowed to eat all the cookies whenever the hell they want without asking.
Your sister needs to teach her daughter to ask before grabbing things, and realize that she likely would have taken exactly one bite and spit it out. Pot is a really hard flavor to cover, and kids don’t tend to enjoy it. And that her daughter is probably more upset at the sudden reaction by the adults than the lack of a cookie, and will be fine in about five minutes.
Also, “laced”? Is she serious? 🤣
Also, does you niece not have any manners? She just walked into your house and grabbed a cookie without asking? Shes gotta learn you’ve gotta ask first anyway
And then, away from your niece, you’d explane the situation to sister and brother in law. I think they’d get it
What if you hadn’t been home?
What if you’d been in the middle of ‘something’? Would you then have to be talked down about having ‘adult fun’….in your own house….when you didn’t expect anyone to come over?
Man she should be so lucky it was just pot cookies.
NTA. As strange as that is for me to say in this case. Sounds like your sister is mad that she did some bad parenting and taking it out on you.
You shouldnt just go straight to the kitchen and start eating from there if you are a visitor. Thats kinda rude.
And it is your place. You can do whatever you want. Your sister should have let you know she was coming by OR stopped your niece before she went running after the cookies
I live in a legal state. The law says you must keep any form of cannabis products either on your person or securely stashed away.
Edit: keep complaining about my decision, I love blocking assholes so they can’t disagree with me ever again.
Correct.
\> i responded “well maybe if you taught your daughter to not just grab shit, we wouldn’t be in this mess!”
Correct.
NTA.
You’ve done nothing wrong, at all.