Two weeks of babysitting should’ve been simple. When my brother called asking me to watch his kids while he and his wife took a “well-earned” vacation, I agreed out of family duty. But I had no idea I was signing up to host entitlement in human form — and that I’d end up teaching those entitled teens a reality check they won’t forget.
The Arrival that Set the Tone
They arrived like they were checking into a luxury resort — dragging designer luggage, sunglasses shading their eyes even indoors, and carrying an attitude that said everything without a word. Tyler, 13, looked like he judged the air around him, and Jaden, 15, had the sort of icy confidence only money and sheltered upbringing can buy.
My son, Adrian, hopeful and eager, bounded up with snacks and friendliness. That should’ve been the beginning of something pleasant… but it wasn’t. Tyler sniffed at the cookies like they were second-hand. Jaden chuckled and mocked everything in sight, even the cocoa chips that took effort to make.
Within minutes it became clear this wasn’t going to be “kids adjusting to a new place.” This was two teenagers straight out of entitlement school, majoring in Criticism 101.
Every Meal Became a Roast Session
I made classic spaghetti bolognese — warm, familiar, and comforting — thinking it might win them over. Instead, it was treated like an insult to haute cuisine. Tyler poked at his plate with disdain, asking if the meat came from a can. Jaden proudly announced that “our chef at home” prepares an elaborate garlic blend.
Their “chef.”
Of course, they had a chef.
Trying to laugh it off, I joked that my culinary title was “budget gourmet on a teacher’s income.” They didn’t laugh. Not even a smirk.
My Son Got Mocked While I Bit My Tongue
Adrian tried so hard. He offered games, showed them his laptop, suggested we all hang out. And how did they respond? By sneering that his PC was from the Stone Age — “Can it even run Fortnite?” Jaden scoffed.
They found fault in the soft guest beds (“Not like our adjustable spine-friendly mattresses”), my fridge (“it doesn’t even talk”), even the TV, which in their eyes was a relic.
Meanwhile, Adrian kept trying. “Want to play outside?” “Let’s build Legos.” Each time, they reacted like he’d asked them to eat raw broccoli.
Every day felt like a test of patience — not adjustment, not compromise, but sheer endurance.
Counting Down the Days — With Growing Frustration
I reminded myself constantly: Two weeks. That’s all. But the attitude wore on everyone in the house. Even simple chores — loading dishes, tidying the living room, folding laundry — became a tragedy in their minds, like someone asked them to defuse a bomb with spoons.
I stayed calm in public, smiled when I could, and tried to redirect their energy into something positive. But by the last day, my patience was well past its limit.
The Ride That Changed Everything
Finally it was departure day — bags packed, flight info confirmed — and I had one last stop: the airport. Everything should’ve been smooth. But what happened next turned messiness into consequences.
When I told them to buckle up, they balked. Tyler looked in the rearview mirror with that signature smirk and said, “We don’t wear seatbelts. It messes up our style. Dad says it’s fine.”
I stopped the car. Flat out refused to drive without seatbelts. Their father himself had said it was okay, they whined. But I stuck to it. Not because I wanted to be difficult — but because safety isn’t optional.
One seatbelt refusal turned into 45 minutes of huffed complaints, whining, and dramatic eye rolls that could’ve powered a small electric grid. I didn’t flinch. Not once.
At some point, reality seeped in. They buckled up — but by then traffic was packed, and we arrived at the airport after their boarding time had passed.
Just imagine their faces when they saw the departure doors closing with other passengers inside. Shock, disbelief… and finally, silence.
The Phone Call That Broke the Silence
Before we even pulled back into my driveway, my phone buzzed: it was my brother. Furious doesn’t come close. He yelled that I “ruined everything” by letting them miss their flight.
But I didn’t let his anger rattle me. I told him exactly what I thought: that parenting isn’t about spineless rules, that respect and safety matter, and that entitlement shouldn’t overshadow basic human decency.
I hung up.
What Happened Next?
The next morning, Adrian showed me a message from Tyler: “Your mom’s insane.”
I laughed. Because no — I’m not insane. I’m done being a doormat for spoiled behavior. I’m proud to stand up for my family’s dignity, for teaching rules matter, and that respect isn’t earned only when the world bows to you.
In the End… They Learned Something Hard
Did they learn respect overnight? No. But they learned what happens when arrogance meets consequences. They learned that there are rules everywhere, even in a friend’s car, and that not everyone bends to entitlement.
Most importantly, they learned that life doesn’t revolve around them — and no amount of designer luggage or chef-crafted dinners changes that.
