My Mom Expected Me to Babysit Five Kids All Christmas Week — So I Adjusted My Plans. Her Reaction Was: “Wait… What?”

I have the most wonderful plan for Christmas this year, and you’re absolutely going to love it.”

My stomach clenched into a knot. When my mother said she had a plan, what she really meant was that she had a plan for me, that my role in her vision had already been decided and assigned without anyone bothering to check whether I had any other plans or desires or, God forbid, a life of my own that didn’t revolve around making hers easier. “Okay,” I said cautiously, trying to keep my voice neutral.

“What kind of plan are we talking about?”

She launched into her pitch with the practiced ease of someone who’d never been told no. “Well, you know how your sister and your brother are both bringing the kids this year for the big family Christmas we’ve been planning. Lauren and Ben work so incredibly hard, and they really deserve a night off to actually enjoy the holiday for once.