When my mother-in-law first brought up the idea of a family vacation to visit my husband\u2019s extended relatives, we were polite but firm\u2014we already had plans to visit close friends instead. It wasn\u2019t anything against his family, but we had been looking forward to this trip for a while. She didn\u2019t seem upset at the time. Just asked casually if we\u2019d booked anything yet. We told her no, not yet, because we were waiting for our tax refund to buy the tickets. Apparently, that was all she needed to hear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A week later, she called us up, sounding way too excited. \u201cGreat news! We got your tickets! You\u2019re flying out with us next month!\u201d I thought I misheard. I actually looked at my husband, Brian, who was sitting across the room, and mouthed, What is she talking about?<\/em> He shrugged, just as confused as I was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWait, what tickets?\u201d I asked, trying to keep my voice calm. I was stunned. Brian took the phone from me, his tone firm but polite. \u201cMom, we already told you we had plans. We can\u2019t just drop everything and go to Florida.\u201d I could feel my blood pressure rising. This wasn\u2019t just about the trip\u2014it was about boundaries. Or, in this case, the complete lack of them. Brian tried to reason with her, but she wasn\u2019t having it. \u201cThe tickets are non-refundable,\u201d she said, her tone suddenly sharp. \u201cIt would be a waste of money if you didn\u2019t come.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When my mother-in-law first brought up the idea of a family vacation to visit my husband\u2019s extended relatives, we were polite but firm\u2014we already had plans to visit close friends instead. It wasn\u2019t anything against his family, but we had been looking forward to this trip for a while. She didn\u2019t seem upset at the…<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, don\u2019t worry about it! We took care of everything. You\u2019re coming with us to visit Uncle Frank and the family in Florida. It\u2019s going to be so much fun!\u201d she chirped, as if she\u2019d just handed us a winning lottery ticket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, don\u2019t be silly,\u201d she replied, brushing him off like he was a teenager again. \u201cYou haven\u2019t booked anything yet, so it\u2019s fine. Besides, it\u2019s family. You can see your friends anytime.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n