When I planned a beach vacation for my boyfriend Ethan’s family, I wanted to show I was part of them. But his mom, Brenda, surprised me at dinner—she had the waiter take all my meat because her family didn’t eat it. Ethan didn’t defend me.
I decided to turn the tables. Noticing Brenda’s sweet tooth, I had the resort staff deny her desserts. By day three, she was frustrated. I calmly told her, “Don’t try to control what I eat—especially on a trip I paid for.”
From then on, she stayed quiet while I enjoyed my meals. She eventually apologized, and I felt respected—not for giving in, but for standing my ground.
