The grandiose plan for my aunt Carol’s retirement celebration was to take the whole family on a luxurious cruise to Hawaii. I thought it sounded fantastic. One thing, though: I wasn’t invited.
It turns out that my family had been using Facebook to plan everything, which I had quit using for certain privacy reasons some time ago. I had no idea that I was being excluded even as I relished the quiet.
Only when I approached my sister about purchasing Aunt Carol a gift did I find out.
“Is there anything I should get her?” I inquired.
Yes, take something from her. As if it were inconsequential, she continued, “We’ll give it to her on the cruise.”
“Hold
“Oh, we assumed you would watch our children at home.”
My rage was instantaneous and intense. In addition to excluding me, they also had the gall to put me in charge of watching the kids! I realized it was time to change the course at that point, and I had the ideal strategy to discipline them.
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With hardly a farewell, my sister tossed me a diaper bag like I was a hired nanny on the morning of the cruise. An hour later, my cousin did the same. By midday, my living room had taken on the appearance of a nursery.
The
I put the kids in my car, drove directly to my parents’ house, and dropped them off with a message that read:
“I’ve made my own arrangements ever since you guys agreed that I would be the babysitter rather than go on the family trip. The children are safe with Grandma and Grandpa, so don’t worry. Enjoy your time on the trip. I’m positive I will.
After
Hot springs, massages, facials, and peaceful evenings with books and wine let me unwind for the first time in ages. I didn’t realize I needed it all.
My phone blew up in the meanwhile.
In a text, my sister said, “Where are you?
Another cousin angrily exclaimed, “You can’t just dump the kids on Mom and Dad.”
“This is self-centred!” said another.
Grinning, I turned off the group chat and returned to my massage.
By the time the trip was over and everyone returned home smug and sunburned, I had already returned home, relaxed, glowing, and tanned.
My parents were upset with me since I had caused them a lot of trouble with the kids. The worst part, though, is that Aunt Carol called me away at her supper after the trip.
She whispered, “I heard what happened.” “Well done. You are not treated as family but more like the help. I’m glad you defended yourself.
I knew I had won at that very moment.
Because knowing that you are not their natural babysitter is sometimes the best lesson you can give your family. You have your own life, your own happiness, and the ability to leave when they lose sight of that.
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We all got together for Sunday supper, the “welcome back” meal following the large trip, at my parents’ house a week later.
Everyone boasted about the trip, including the excursions, banquets, and beaches. I simply sipped my drink in silence while grinning.
Then, in her adorable tiny voice, my niece spoke out.
“I don’t want to take another cruise, Mommy.”
The table fell silent. With trepidation, my sister laughed. “Honey, what do you mean? We enjoyed ourselves!
The toddler insisted, “No.” “I preferred spending time with Grandma and Grandpa.” They allowed us to stay up late watching movies, made breakfasts, and played with us all day. Can we do that once more in place of taking trips?
The other children immediately added, “Yeah! A cruise is not nearly as good as Grandma’s place!
“We want pancakes once more!”
“And the tales of Grandpa!”
The parents’ expressions fell. Their tan from the tropics was almost fading. Pancakes, bedtime stories, and board games at home were more important than the thousands they had spent on that “dream vacation.”
I nearly choked on my wine while trying not to giggle.
I only raised an eyebrow, but my sister gave me a look. I remarked nonchalantly, “I guess the kids had their own little paradise.”
Aunt Carol laughed so hard she almost spat up her drink. “Well, it sounds like someone—and not on a boat—had the ultimate family vacation.”
“Next time you come with us, right?” the children said as they rushed over to give me a hug as well. You were missed!
Although the adults were furious, they understood in their hearts that they couldn’t undo the lesson. Not all I was was “the babysitter.” I belonged to the family. Even their children were aware of it now.
