When my sister asked me to babysit her kids for two weeks while she vacationed, I said I’d do it—if she paid me. She laughed, dismissing the idea: “Why would I pay you to spend time with your own family?” That stung. I love my nieces and nephews, but two weeks of full-time childcare isn’t a favor—it’s a job.
I declined. She didn’t take no for an answer.
The morning of her trip, she showed up unannounced, dropped off the kids, and left. No discussion. No agreement. Just entitlement wrapped in a smile.
So I made a decision.
Once she was gone, I packed up the kids and drove them straight to her in-laws—people she trusted, who had no idea she’d dumped them on me. I explained everything. They were shocked but agreed to take them in temporarily.
Then I turned off my phone and took my own vacation.
When she returned, furious and confused, I calmly reminded her: I never agreed. She assumed. She imposed. And she learned.
Family doesn’t mean free labor. Respect isn’t optional. And boundaries? They’re not just suggestions.
