Off The Record

Grandma Took The Kids To Disney For The First Time And Her DIL Freaked Out

Published on June 1, 2024

Entering Disney World’s mystical realms is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But in a bad way, it became unforgettable for the grandma in today’s story.

Hear her story and learn how her daughter-in-law’s response negatively impacted her experience.

She gave her version of the story

(story is slightly rewritten for originality)

In order to allow my son and his wife to attend a wedding in Mexico and take a few days off, I recently spent four nights and five days watching my grandchildren, ages five and four.

Since her mother wouldn’t be available, they approached me. At first, I claimed I didn’t feel comfortable with it.

She explicitly stated that a woman’s family is more important than a man’s, so I was annoyed that I was being asked and not her mother. It also seemed like a long time to watch the kids.

While I acknowledge that I caved in when my son grew overly upset, I still believe they were manipulating me.

I was asked to a birthday at Epcot and wanted to go while I had the kids.

I had the kids for a long time, and they were aware that they would be travelling wherever I went, so I didn’t even think to ask my son or daughter-in-law.

Although my daughter-in-law has stated before that she wants to save money for Disney, she has said that about a lot of things and has never told me that Disney is particularly meaningful to her.

It was Epcot, too. It’s not as though they saw their favourite figure in a wonderful moment when I brought them to the Magic Kingdom.

Upon their return, my daughter-in-law became enraged and started crying. She called me entitled and said that I had stolen one of her children first.

To be quite honest, when she was the one who had originally insisted on being babysat, I didn’t take well to being branded entitled.

She was upset that they had missed their first Disney vacation, so my son begged me to apologise, but I refused and told them to go.

Once more, my son stated, “My wife feels robbed, and I should have asked for something that big.”

Although I am aware that she loves all things Disney, it was Epcot, not the classic Disney, and I didn’t think I should have to miss the birthday celebration I really wanted to go to.

I informed my son that I wasn’t sorry for anything and that they might want to consider how their actions made me feel when they disregarded my first refusal.

However, there were conflicting responses

People on reddit took their keyboard to pass on a judgement on the grandmother’s decision.

One person said, “They imposed on you to watch their children. You did exactly as they requested. You’ve done nothing wrong. You are not responsible for your rude daughter-in-law crying. Tears don’t make a person right.

The only entitled behavior is your son and daughter-in-law. They guilted you into accepting something that you expressed you were not comfortable with, and then got upset about how you took care of their children for them. You shouldn’t have to forgo your plans because they did not secure childcare before going on vacation.” BulbasaurRanch / Reddit

Another one joined, “Your DIL is being selfish. When my kids’ grandparents, on either side, have provided my kids opportunities to experience cool things, I’ve been really grateful that 1) my kids get to do those things and 2) my kids get to make wonderful memories with their grandparents that they will cherish their entire lives.” mobiuscycle / Reddit

Third chimed in, “So instead of a SUPER GINORMOUS thank you for the money you spent and time with the kids, allowing the parents to go away on a vacation without the kids, you’re called entitled and demanded an apology?? Hell to the NO!!” StrawberryKittyKat4 / Reddit

Fourth said, “I get the importance of ’firsts’ but I think we focus on too many of them. My wife and I had a mini-disagreement about cutting our son’s hair for that reason, and she doesn’t want me to just chop it off so it’s special. Its hair and it’ll grow back. Those kids will love Disney every time they go, they lose nothing each time.” Kenvan19 / Reddit

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Another commenter had a bit different opinion, “I think you should have cleared with them that you could take the kids places, but really otherwise the DIL is being unreasonable. They left the kids with you, and you showed them a good time. What if it had been a water park? Or another kid’s spot? You fed them, you entertained them, they were not neglected or in danger, they were with a grandparent who seems to love them.” joosdeproon / Reddit

Someone thought it might be inappropriate to take them without their mother’s consent, “Every family member knows that the first Disney trips are huge. It’s a staple in a kid’s memory. Even if they are too young to remember it, that mom will always think of their first Disney trip as this. Disney is pretty major in most families.” Emerald-Avocado / Reddit

Some, however, firmly disagreed with her opinion, “As a parent, I would be horrified if my children were taken somewhere like that without my consent, especially when it was communicated that this was special to them. You KNEW.” Aggressive_Bug_6896 / Reddit

Ultimately, among the joy and laughter that accompany a trip to Disney World with the grandchildren, there were parents who were displeased.

Everything may be placed in the past with an open discussion and prioritising the pleasure of the children.