My SIL Invited My Kids to Her Big House With a Pool for the Holidays – When I Showed Up Unannounced, I Went Pale
My sister-in-law invited my kids for a week at her luxurious mansion, promising fun with a pool, games, and treats. I dropped off my 10-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son, expecting a dream vacation. But after days of silence and a chilling text from my daughter saying, “Mom, come save us,” I rushed over unannounced.
What I found was shocking. My kids were scrubbing pool tiles and hauling garbage while my niece lounged by the pool. A clipboard listed their “daily chores” for pool access and 30 minutes of cartoons, including cleaning bedrooms, bathrooms, and preparing for my niece’s guests. My sister-in-law claimed they “offered” to help, but my daughter whispered they were threatened with sleeping in the garage and losing their money.
Furious, I took my kids and their phones, which were locked in a safe, and left. The next day, I sent an invoice for $600 for their “labor.” She paid within an hour. I used the money for a two-day amusement park trip, where my kids enjoyed rides and treats without chores. They learned their mom will always protect them, and some adults can’t be trusted. My sister-in-law’s calls and apologies went unanswered—she turned their vacation into exploitation.
