We decided to take my sister-in-law and her toddler on holiday with us. It turned out to be a decision we regretted a thousand times over.
My wife and I had planned a seaside holiday. For years, wed maintained a tradition of heading to the coast with friends, each family taking their own cars. Were avid campers. We pick a spot along the shoreline, set up our tents, and spend our days splashing in the waves and soaking up the sun. Evenings are magicalsharing a bottle of dry wine, singing along to someone strumming a guitar around a crackling fire. But this year, my sister-in-law, Emma, decided to join us, bringing along her two-and-a-half-year-old son. We debated whether to let her tag along.
In the end, we gave in. Looking back now, it wasnt her little boy who made the trip so difficultit was Emma herself. The trouble began before we even arrived. Every hour, Emma demanded that we pull the car over for a break. She claimed she needed to stretch her legs because she was tired. By the time we finally got to our spot, it was late, and our friends were already worn out from the journey. Theyd even had time for a swim while waiting for us. Still, we pressed on. Then came the next issue. Emma took one look at our campsite and declared, Im not staying here!
Whats wrong with it? I asked, trying to keep my patience. You knew wed be camping!
I thought camping meant wed find a place to stay nearby. You know, like a B&B or something, she huffed.
My wife, clearly at her limit, replied through gritted teeth, And what did you think the tents and sleeping bags were for?
I thought you two enjoyed the whole camping thing, Emma muttered.
There was no reasoning with her. In the end, we had to rent her a room at a guesthouse. My wife and I took turns driving her there and back every day. And it didnt stop there. Emma expected us to chauffeur her to cafés, take her to local markets, and even look after her son while she had breaks from what she called her endless responsibilities.
To be fair, her son was a delight. He was well-behaved, happy to dart around the campsite, splash in the sea, eat whatever he was given, and take peaceful naps in the tent. In fact, looking after him was the least of our worries. It was his mother who turned the whole trip into a chore.
Next year, weve agreedEmmas not coming. But her little boy? If his parents let us, wed gladly bring him along. Now *he’s* got the true spirit of a camper.
Lesson learned: holidays are for relaxing, not dragging along someone who treats you like hired help.
