Wealthy Parents Upset Because Their Son And His Family Can't Afford To Go On Expensive Vacations With Them, Demand They Go Into Debt

"We should not have to pay for an adult child's vacation."

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• August 24, 2023

Family vacations are often cherished opportunities to spend quality time with loved ones, create lasting memories, and strengthen bonds. These getaways can be the highlight of the year, but they can also become a source of tension and conflict, especially when finances and family dynamics are involved.

In OP's case, this very situation has unfolded. As proud grandparents, OP and his wife are eager to experience the joy of a family vacation with their son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. However, what should be a joyous planning process has turned into a complex dilemma filled with jealousy, financial disagreements, and feelings of being treated unfairly.

OP's son and his family are accustomed to going on week-long vacations every 2-3 years, sponsored by the daughter-in-law's parents. This tradition has led to increasing envy from OP's wife, who longs for similar bonding experiences with their grandchildren.

However, the situation quickly escalated when financial constraints and differing expectations collided. When they learned that their son's family couldn't afford to join them on a planned cruise without going into debt, OP and his wife felt like "second-class citizens."

Their offer to pay was met with resistance, and the subsequent disagreement has left everyone feeling upset and misunderstood. The scenario serves as a poignant example of how even the most well-intended plans can go awry when family emotions and financial considerations intertwine.

What began as a loving gesture has turned into a complex issue, leaving OP questioning his actions and the family's relationship strained. Whether the rift can be healed remains to be seen, but this story underscores the delicate nature of family relationships and the care needed to navigate them.

OP asks:

As proud grandparents, OP and his wife are eager to experience the joy of a family vacation with their son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. But...

OP invited them to a cruise, but son cannot afford it

OP is against paying for a family vacation and expects his son to go into debt

OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the a-hole:

Some next-level entitlement...

OP expects them to go into debt just to make them happy

The in-laws decided that the best way of spending money is for creating memories

"If you want them to go on a vacation of your choosing, then you have to accept that it may not be within their budget "

"$5,000 is a lot of money for most people."

"This situation is entirely one of your own making."

OP responded to all these negative comments, and it seems that he is coming around

The Reddit community was unanimous in their stance that OP was wrong in this situation. While the desire for a family vacation and bonding experience is completely understandable, expecting a son to go into debt to fulfill this wish is seen as unreasonable.

The son's offer of a compromise with a weekend getaway was a rational solution to the financial constraints, but OP's reaction and subsequent behavior were viewed as immature and entitled.

Damjan