— Why don’t you take Masha with you? She really wants to go to the seaside, and she’ll have fun with your kids!
— Sveta, I really appreciate what you’re asking, but we have other plans. Taking responsibility for another child is just too much…
My husband and I had been planning our vacation for a long time, and finally, in a couple of weeks, we were flying to Turkey. Everything had been perfectly arranged: the sea, the sun, and time together. Of course, our children were coming with us — our son Artyom is 10, and our daughter Katya is 7. They were thrilled about the upcoming trip, especially Katya, who had dreamed of seeing the sea.
But all our plans began to fall apart when my cousin Sveta called me. We didn’t talk very often, but we had always gotten along well. She started the conversation with the usual questions, but then suddenly said:
— Listen, I heard that you and your family are going to Turkey, — there was already a hint of intrigue in her voice. — And I had an idea… Why don’t you take Masha with you? She really wants to go to the seaside, and she’ll have fun with your kids!
Masha is her nine-year-old daughter. She’s a sweet and energetic girl, but the idea of taking another child with us came completely out of the blue. I was confused and didn’t know what to say.
— Sveta, — I began carefully, — I understand that you want Masha to go, but we already have two children with us.
Adding another child isn’t that simple. After all, taking responsibility for someone else’s child is a serious matter. Vadim and I wanted to spend our vacation relaxing and getting some rest, not constantly worrying about someone else’s child!
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— Oh, Zhenya, come on! If you can handle two, you can handle three! — Sveta replied cheerfully. — They’ll play together and entertain each other. Artyom and Katya will probably be happy to have Masha with them. You know how quickly our kids get along.
— Sveta, you have to understand, — I sighed, — we’re going abroad. We’ll have to keep an eye not only on our own children but on Masha too. It’s completely different from simply taking her to the country house for the weekend.
— Oh, don’t make it so complicated! — Sveta insisted. — Of course I’ll pay for Masha. You won’t have to worry about any expenses. And Masha is very independent. She can take care of herself, and she’s practically grown up already. Please think about it again! You know how much she dreams of seeing the sea.
Sveta was obviously trying hard to persuade me, but the whole idea made me uncomfortable. I imagined our vacation turning into constant supervision of three children.
— Sveta, I really appreciate what you’re asking, but we have other plans. Taking responsibility for another child is simply too much, — I said firmly, trying to sound as gentle as possible.’
She was silent for a few seconds and then sighed in disappointment.
— Fine, I understand… Masha would have been so happy!
— Wait, you already told your daughter about the trip? Before even talking to me?!
— Of course! It never even crossed our minds that you would turn out to be so selfish! — Sveta snapped before hanging up.
The conversation ended, and I could tell that Sveta was deeply offended. But that wasn’t the only thing bothering me.
A few days later, I accidentally found out that Sveta and her husband were planning to go to Sochi at exactly the same time. They intended to travel there alone together, which meant that her request for us to take Masha on vacation wasn’t nearly as selfless as she had made it sound.
Sveta and her husband wanted to enjoy a carefree holiday as a couple. And they expected Vadim and me to look after Masha while they did.
The realization left a bad taste in my mouth. Instead of simply admitting that they wanted to take a vacation alone, she had tried to use me as a babysitter for her child. They wanted to relax together while, according to their plan, my husband and I were supposed to become their free childcare.
The next day, Sveta called again. I knew immediately that the conversation wasn’t going to be pleasant.
— Hi, Zhenya, how are you? — she began casually, as though nothing had happened.
— Hi. Everything’s fine. We’re slowly getting ready for the vacation, — I replied, trying to stay calm.
— I’ve been thinking about it some more… Maybe you’ll reconsider your decision about Masha?
I felt my patience beginning to run out.
— Sveta, I found out that you and your husband are planning to go to Sochi alone. Why didn’t you tell me that from the beginning? — I asked the question that had been bothering me.
Silence fell on the other end of the line. I knew Sveta hadn’t expected that question.
— Well… yes, we really were planning to take a vacation together, — she admitted, trying not to show how flustered she was. — But I thought Masha would have more fun going with you than staying at home. Is that really such a bad thing?
— Sveta, the point isn’t whether it’s bad or not. I just wish you had been honest with me. You wanted me to take responsibility for Masha while the two of you enjoyed your vacation, — I replied firmly.
— Fine, — she said sharply, clearly offended. — Live however you want. Apparently, I was wrong to ask you for anything in the first place.
And once again, she hung up.
After that, we stopped talking. Sveta was obviously hurt by my refusal, but I couldn’t allow myself to become a babysitter during my own vacation.
Or should I have met her halfway and taken my niece with us after all?
Did I do the right thing?
