Our Daughter Tried to Turn Our 40th Anniversary Trip into Her Free Vacation with Babysitting Service

### **Setting Boundaries: A Lesson in Priorities**

For years, my wife and I planned a special trip for our 40th anniversary. But when our daughter, Jane, found out, she insisted on joining—with her husband and kids.

### **Guilt and Pressure**
Jane played on my wife’s emotions. “The kids adore you! Imagine how heartbroken they’d be if you left them behind.” She called constantly, wearing my wife down until we reluctantly changed our plans to a family-friendly resort.

### **The Breaking Point**
Days before departure, Jane made one more demand: “Can you handle bedtime for the kids? Nick and I want to enjoy the nightlife.” That was it—I realized this wasn’t a family trip; it was Jane’s vacation, with us as babysitters.

### **Taking Back Our Trip**
I called the airline and changed our tickets back to our original destination. The day before departure, I told my wife, “We’re going to Maine. Just the two of us.”

When I informed Jane, she was furious. “You ruined *our* vacation! You’re so selfish!” She refused to speak to us, and Nick posted a passive-aggressive remark online.

### **A Lesson in Self-Respect**
My wife felt guilty, but I didn’t. Sometimes, the best way to teach someone a lesson is by showing them that your time and boundaries matter too.