My stepmom, Linda, called me recently: “We’re so overwhelmed,” she sighed. “You’re so good at planning trips — could you help us book a cruise? Just something relaxing for the family.”
I (25F) was eager to do something nice for my dad. I spent a week researching itineraries, comparing deals, and tailoring everything to the needs of Linda and her two daughters (7 and 9). When I sent her the plan, she replied: “You should come too! You’ve done so much – it’ll be a great family memory.”
Touched, I paid for my own ticket, no expectations – just excited to join!
But the moment we arrived, I realized the truth: I wasn’t a guest. I was the nanny.
Linda handed me a room key: “You’ll stay with the girls! Richard and I need our space.” Then came the constant tasks – watching the kids, skipping excursions, missing any moment of rest.
When I brought it up, Linda snapped, “You’re not a child. That’s what family does.” I stared at her. “I didn’t come here to be used.” Her response? “If we knew you’d act like a brat, we wouldn’t have invited you.”
Broken, I made up a plan that same night.
I didn’t sleep much. Instead, I lay there, staring at the ceiling, listening to the soft breathing of my stepsisters. I cared about them, I really did. But I wasn’t their parent. And I sure as hell hadn’t signed up to be their full-time babysitter while my dad and Linda enjoyed a stress-free vacation.
The next morning, I made my move.
I got up early, dressed quietly, and left the cabin before Linda or my dad could summon me. I went straight to the front desk and asked about available room upgrades. As luck would have it, there was one last single cabin available. It wasn’t cheap, but I had saved enough money, and frankly, my peace of mind was worth every cent.
After booking the room, I left a simple note for Linda in the girls’ cabin:
“I didn’t come here to be your babysitter. I’ll be enjoying my vacation from now on. The kids are your responsibility.”
Then, I packed my things and moved to my new room.
For the first time since arriving, I felt free. I treated myself to breakfast alone, sipping coffee on the deck, watching the waves stretch endlessly before me. I booked a massage, something I never would’ve done before. I signed up for an excursion I actually wanted to experience — snorkeling at a private beach.
Linda found me by the pool later that afternoon, her face twisted with irritation.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she hissed, plopping down in the chair next to me.
I took a slow sip of my drink before answering. “Enjoying my vacation. You should try it sometime.”
She scoffed. “Very funny. You need to come back and watch the girls. Richard and I have a dinner reservation.”
I shook my head. “Nope. Not my job.”
Linda’s eyes narrowed. “We invited you. You should be grateful.”
I set my drink down and looked at her, my voice calm but firm. “Let’s get one thing straight. I paid for my own ticket. I planned this trip. And I came here expecting a vacation, not an unpaid job. If you wanted a nanny, you should have hired one.”
She spluttered, caught off guard by my refusal. “Richard won’t like this.”
I shrugged. “Then he can be mad. That’s his choice.”
She stormed off, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. A part of me worried my dad would be upset, but another part felt lighter than I had in days.
Later that evening, my dad found me on the deck. He sat beside me, silent for a moment before speaking.
“Linda’s angry,” he said carefully.
“I bet she is.”
He sighed. “She said you abandoned the girls.”
I turned to face him. “Did she also tell you she expected me to be their full-time nanny? That I had to skip excursions, miss out on experiences, and give up my rest while she and you had fun?”
He frowned. “I… didn’t know that.”
“She used me, Dad. And you let her.”
He looked away, ashamed. “I didn’t think about it like that.”
I shook my head. “Because you never do.”
We sat in silence before he finally spoke again. “I’m sorry.”
I wanted to believe him. I really did. But the truth was, this wasn’t the first time he’d let Linda walk all over me. And it wouldn’t be the last unless I put up boundaries.
“I’m not watching the girls anymore,” I said firmly. “If you and Linda need help, hire a babysitter from the cruise staff.”
To my surprise, he nodded. “That’s fair.”
And just like that, I had reclaimed my vacation.
For the rest of the trip, I did what I wanted. I made friends. I danced at the ship’s nightclub. I swam in the ocean. I ate as many desserts as I wanted.
Linda gave me the cold shoulder, but I didn’t care. My dad, on the other hand, seemed to slowly realize that he needed to step up as a parent, not just a passive bystander to his wife’s whims. He even took the girls out for a full day, giving Linda a taste of what I had endured.
By the time we docked back home, things weren’t perfect, but they were different.
Linda still wasn’t happy with me. But my dad? He hugged me and said, “Next time, let’s take a trip—just the two of us.”
I smiled. “I’d like that.”
Moral of the story: Don’t let people take advantage of your kindness. Family or not, you deserve respect, rest, and to enjoy the things you work hard for.
And if someone tries to turn you into their unpaid nanny? Book your own room and enjoy your vacation anyway.
If you’ve ever been in a situation like this, drop a comment below. And don’t forget to like and share!
