When my sister-in-law invited my kids to spend a week at her large, fancy home, I thought it would be a fun summer filled with pool time, games, and relaxation. She said her daughter, Mikayla, was bored and wanted company, so I happily agreed and sent my kids off with treats and spending money.
For the first few days, I heard nothing from them, which was unusual. On the fourth day, my daughter texted me desperately: “Come save us”—their phones had been taken. When I arrived unannounced, I found my son scrubbing pool tiles and my daughter hauling heavy garbage, while Mikayla lounged on her phone. A chore chart dictated their every move, and my kids whispered that refusing meant losing money or being forced to sleep in the garage.
I immediately took them home and demanded their phones back. My sister-in-law claimed it was “character building,” but I refused. I even invoiced her for the work my kids had done, which she paid. Using that money, I treated my kids to a fun amusement park trip. That summer, they learned about fairness, the value of work, and that I would always protect them—and I was reminded to trust my instincts and stand up for my children.