I bought my mother-in-law, Susan, a $600 designer bag for Christmas. But her actions changed everything. She wanted to take away my daughter Eve’s gifts, teaching her that sometimes you don’t get what you want.
I decided to teach Susan a lesson. I replaced the bag with a $40 robe, carefully repackaging it.
Christmas morning arrived, and Susan’s excitement turned to shock.
“What is this?” she asked, holding the robe.
“A robe,” I replied. “Practical, isn’t it?”
Susan’s face contorted, and she whispered, “You bought the bag, didn’t you?”
I shrugged. “Sold it. Why spoil you when you wouldn’t spoil my daughter?”
Susan’s anger simmered, but I stood firm.
“Sometimes people don’t get what they ask for,” I said.
My wife, Melanie, gave me the cold shoulder, but I didn’t care. My daughter had a memorable Christmas, and Susan learned her lesson.
Christmas is about happiness and compassion, but also about learning boundaries. Susan won’t play power games in my home again.
Merry Christmas, Susan.
