Our Daughter Expected Us to Watch Her Kids on Our 40th Anniversary Trip But This Time, We Said No and Left Her to Handle the Consequences
Amanda, ever persuasive, pushed to turn our quiet anniversary getaway into a family trip. Over dinner, she hinted at joining us with her kids, using guilt and charm. Denise and I resisted, wanting a couple’s retreat, but Amanda persisted—calling, crying, even enlisting her grandkids to plead. Denise softened, and I relented. We scrapped Oregon for a Florida resort with everyone.
As the trip neared, Amanda’s true plan emerged: we’d babysit while she and her husband enjoyed spa days and nights out. Our anniversary became free childcare. Frustrated, I secretly rebooked Oregon and told Denise, who was thrilled. At the airport, I informed Amanda we weren’t going to Florida. She was furious, but I explained this was about our marriage. Oregon was perfect—peaceful, romantic, reconnecting us after 40 years.
Back home, Amanda’s bitterness showed online, but after managing her kids alone, she got it. Though she never apologized, her attitude shifted, respecting our boundaries. We gained more than a vacation—we reclaimed our time and each other.
