Hellobee Boards

I'd probably have just stuck to the storyline. So reply to the candy question by saying, "We didn't buy candy, the Easter Bunny brought it and left it in our Easter Baskets!" If you keep treating her like she's just being silly, you might be able to play it off as Grandma joking. Next time, you can have a quick phone convo before the video call to remind her what you're doing and ask her gently not to ruin it for the kids.

I would have hung up on her

Uh, leave a giant pile of rabbit poop on her doorstep next Easter? "Oh look, kids! The Easter Bunny has been to Grandma's!"

For the record, I am NOT advocating actually doing this, because that wouldn't be nice or sanitary, buuuuut...who talks about bunny doo-doo with toddlers in connection with Easter? I mean she doesn't have to actively play along if she doesn't want to, but she's being both deliberately provocative and crass, and neither one of those sits well with me.

I have a similar problem - we spent all week talking about how the Easter bunny was going to bring him a basket and hide eggs on Sunday, and then my parents showed up Friday with a big Easter basket. He then started asking where was the bunny and where were the eggs. I wish they had asked if it was ok to give it to him early.

I'm with @anonysquire: . I mean...WTF. She shouldn't even bring it up if she disagrees. How rude of her to directly address the source of the candy. In all honesty, I'd like to say I would do what @raspberries: suggested...I'd play dumb and keep to the storyline. When it comes to my kid though, my finger might be greasy and accidentally end the call...

@junebugsmama: If she was like really intentionally trying to be a snarky dick about it I'd just call her and be like stop being a jerk - it's Easter and they believe it's a real bunny and there's no reason to rain on their parade. It just sounded more like she didn't care enough about it to play along to me, in which case I'd just be like yo, mom, do me a solid and just try to be a little discrete and not talk about the bunny cuz they think it's for real and you're confusing them talking about what candy I got them. (Yep this should be the husband calling his mom).

@gingerbebe: @junebugsmama: I had a better reply but my phone ate it.
I think MIL was being a dickhead on purpose. Not wanting to play along means smile and nod or redirect convo. Not be inflammatory. She was trying to "prove" that the Easter bunny hadn't been there. "Oh then where's the poop?" What's the point? To make your grandkid cry? Your son and daughter-in-law made their choice, just like you made yours all those years ago. Respect it.

@hotpink: I would have abruptly ended the call and then told her on the side that if she can't play nice and respect how you and your husband choose to celebrate, you won't be calling or celebrating with her.
And worded as if you were saying to her: Imagine if someone had repeatedly said "no, the Easter bunny brought it, your mom didn't buy that!" to your son in front of you, despite your efforts. You wouldn't have liked that very much so I'm not sure why you think what you did is any different.

@T.H.O.U.: That would be a less juvenile and more acceptable alternative to my proposal.

@gingerbebe: In general, I agree that the illusion of the Easter Bunny need not be preserved through artifice by outside parties. But. G'ma here is intentionally trying to explode it while talking about how much she spent/attempting to setting up an unfavorable comparison to her son and DIL on highly materialistic grounds ("I only ever got you the good stuff.") and fecal matter to a toddler. I'm not an Easter Bunny sympathizer, and I'd have been hopping mad about those comments.

@SweetiePie: my husband and FIl love them, too! So gross!