“Oh, it’s a thing,” I shot back. “You took advantage of me, and it’s not happening again.”
Jake looked sheepish as he picked up Jenni. Amanda grabbed Lily, offering a tight-lipped smile. “Thanks, Mom,” Jake muttered as they left.
When the door closed, I leaned against it, taking a deep breath. The anger inside me hardened into resolve. “This is the last time,” I whispered.
The next morning, I drove to their house and sat them down at the kitchen table. I laid it out plainly, “What you did last night was unacceptable. I missed my reunion and the plans I’d been looking forward to for weeks. You owe me for the dress, the salon visit, and the prepaid dinner. But more importantly, you owe me respect.”
“Are you serious?” Jake asked, stunned.
“Dead serious,” I replied. “This isn’t just about money. It’s about boundaries. Moving forward, you ask before dropping off the kids. If I say no, you find another solution.”
They grumbled, but eventually agreed. A week later, they tested me. The doorbell rang unexpectedly, and there they were with the kids. I grabbed my phone and answered through the intercom, “Hi, Jake. I’m not home right now.”
“What? Mom, we’re here,” he said, his voice tinged with disbelief.
“I told you last week, Jake,” I replied firmly. “You need to call ahead. I have plans.”
“But-”
“Sorry,” I said, hanging up. Guilt tugged at me, but so did relief. I had stood my ground.
Over the next few weeks, something shifted. Jake started calling before visits, and Amanda was noticeably more polite. Setting boundaries had been hard, but it was worth it. I reclaimed my time, my dignity, and my sense of control.
For the first time in years, I felt truly respected. And that was a New Year’s resolution worth keeping.