I Took My Grandchildren to Disney World and Now My Dil Is Mad at Me

When my son, Ethan, set up this account for me and insisted I share my recent dilemma, I was skeptical.

According to him, my understanding of what’s normal and acceptable has always been a bit off-kilter.

He was convinced that once my story hit the internet, a wave of virtual finger-wagging would set me straight.

So here I am, recounting the tale that led to my current status as the family pariah, all because I took my grandkids to Disney World Ethan and his wife, Sarah, had been planning to attend a friend’s wedding in Mexico, a chance for them to unwind without the kids.

They approached me to babysit their children,

Lily, 5, and Jack, 4, for what would be a stretch of four nights and five days.

Initially, I balked at the idea. Not only did it seem like a marathon of caregiving, but Sarah had previously made it clear that her family took precedence over ours.

The notion didn’t sit well with me, and I found it particularly irksome that they would ask me, despite her mother being the apparent go-to for such favors.

However, Ethan’s emotional plea swayed me. He argued that it was a rare opportunity for them, a plea that tugged at my heartstrings, even as a voice in the back of my mind accused them of manipulation.

During their absence, an invitation to a birthday party at Disney World came my way. It seemed like a splendid opportunity to do something special with the grandkids, and it honestly didn’t cross my mind to consult Ethan and Sarah. In my defense,

Sarah often talked about taking the kids to Disney “someday,” but it always seemed like one of those far-off dreams, not an imminent plan.

It was the Magic Kingdom. I had to take the kids. Despite Sarah’s plan to take them, I knew I had to show them around the place.

Upon their return, I was blindsided by Sarah’s reaction. The news that I had taken Lily and Jack to Disney was met with tears and accusations.

She was devastated, claiming I had robbed her of a milestone — witnessing their first Disney experience. Her words stung, branding me as entitled, which only poured salt on the wound given her past demands for childcare.

Ethan, ever the mediator, asked me to apologize, to mend fences over what he deemed a significant oversight on my part.

But I couldn’t bring myself to do it. The bitterness of being labeled as entitled, coupled with their disregard for my initial reluctance, hardened my resolve.

I saw no reason to apologize for enjoying a day out with my grandchildren, especially when the decision to babysit had been a concession on my part. The fallout was immediate.

Ethan insisted that an apology was necessary, not just for the sake of peace, but because Sarah felt robbed of a precious moment. To them, my actions were thoughtless, a blunder that eclipsed the joy of the birthday celebration.

But to me, it highlighted a deeper issue, a lack of appreciation and respect for my boundaries. Our standoff has since grown into a chasm, with Ethan hoping that sharing this story would enlighten me to my supposed misstep.

Yet, as I lay all this out, I find myself grappling with the complexity of family dynamics, the expectations we place on each other, and the weight of decisions made with the best intentions.

I can’t help but wonder if the issue at hand is not just about a trip to Disney, but something more. Perhaps it’s about understanding, communication, and the unforeseen impact of our actions on those we love.

Or maybe it’s about the boundaries we draw and the spaces we navigate as family, where the lines between right and wrong blur in the face of love and responsibility.

As I share this tale, I realize that my son’s prediction might come true. The court of public opinion may indeed find me at fault.

But more than seeking vindication or absolution, I find myself reflecting on the intricacies of human relationships, the mistakes we make, and the lessons we learn along the way.

In the end, maybe Ethan is right. Perhaps the internet will deem me the antagonist of this story.

But as I ponder the events that unfolded, I can’t help but hope for a resolution that bridges the gap between us, one that acknowledges the complexity of our feelings and fosters a deeper understanding among us.

I seriously hope my son, his wife, and I can overcome this. But in the meantime I really want to know: Do you think I was wrong?

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Nadine kalina
Nadine kalina
17 days ago

Your DIL is wrong she did not say you had to report everything to her. She did not set restrictions they wanted the freedom to go to the wedding and have a vacation you gave them that. They do not appreciate your efforts. You should tell your son his wife should respect his mother and thank you for your efforts. Your son should put his wife down for her rudeness.

you did nothing wrong.

Anne Porta
Anne Porta
12 days ago
Reply to  Nadine kalina

My parents took my kids every time they came to Florida. That was their time.❤️❤️❤️

Suprena
Suprena
12 days ago
Reply to  Nadine kalina

You did nothing wrong. This was once in lifetime for you and your grandchildren to go to Disney. They left you in charge of their kids. No stipulations. If this had been her mother would she have been so dramatic . They can still take the kids and still have a great time.

Dale
Dale
17 days ago

You shouldn’t have to apologize but it may be in your best interest to.You certainly wouldn’t want toʻ be forbidden to see the grand children because of an oversight….The real question is we’re they going to invite you to that Disney trip with the kids?? You may never get a real answer but it bears pondering…On top of that their second and third trip to Disney will be just as exciting, Disney magic has a way of doing that….

James Morrissey
James Morrissey
12 days ago
Reply to  Dale

At 4 and 5 I’m sure their memories will fade. Parents should let it go and take them at. 10 and 11 and the memory will last a life time. You could tell the Parents what they saw and plan it differently. Your son should stand up and tell his wife they are Lucky to have you. A loving grandmother.

Carol
Carol
13 days ago

Absolutely not!! You had the chance to show your grandkids a wonderful time and you did. If your son and dil have a problem with that, oh well, sounds like their problem not yours!! I’ll bet your happy grandkids don’t think it’s a problem!! You go, grammie, you done good!! 😁

Neil
Neil
13 days ago

Who cares, she’s way overreacting and you had a perfect right to take your grandchildren to Disney!

Lynn
Lynn
13 days ago

You did nothing wrong. This younger generation wants it all for themselves. Ungrateful, and spoiled.

Brenda Meek
Brenda Meek
13 days ago

Absolutely not You did nothing wrong…. and should not regret the time you spent with your grandchildren at Disney….If she wanted to take her children to Disney maybe she should have rather than going to a wedding without them….Frankly they owe you an apology….They all you to watch the kids but then when you do… rather than thankyou they get posed at you. No you’ve done nothing wing…your DIL needs to grow up and realize how blessed she is to have you around….You did what they asked if you…If she wanted to take them to Disney she should have rather than attend a wedding….
YOU DID NOTHING WRONG!!!!!

Missy
Missy
12 days ago

I think that maybe they should have went to there wedding came right back instead of taking there little vaca alone they could have came back an took there kids to Disney for a family vacation don’t pick on grandma for doing you a favor.

Debbie
Debbie
12 days ago

I can’t believe the daughter in laws reaction. I think that the grandmother was just trying to do something nice for grandchildren. Would her daughter rather have her be mean to them. I think the daughter in law has issues. I think her son is wrong for asking her to apologize. He should be talking to his wife.

Sharon
Sharon
12 days ago

I totally sympathize with you. I am in a similar situation. It is heartbreaking. Seeing her parents have free reign with the kids is difficult. We wanted to take ours out for the day and the younger one would not go with us unless his father came also. When I asked the older one why his response was because he doesn’t really know you. That wound will never heal.

Amalia
Amalia
12 days ago

If son and DIL asked you to care for the children and set no limitations on the extent to which care extended or their expectations, I think you were justified to take the children where you went, particularly if they gave you a letter allowing you to seek medical care in the event of an emergency, something they should have done in any event. As to Disney World being a milestone or special and foreseeable occasion, fiddlesticks. Disney World is a commercial offering. It’s not like you had them baptized or had a gender modification. It’s Disney World for goodness’s sake! I think you should apologize to the parents for the sake of family unity, but I also think you should limit the apology to the extent of misunderstanding their expectations, not to the extent of depriving your DIL an opportunity to spend $1K or more so the kids could ride in a teacup.

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