When my brother asked if his sons, Tyler and Jaden, could stay with me for two weeks while he and his wife went on a luxury vacation, I hesitated. Something inside told me it wasn’t the best idea. But wanting to support family—and hoping the boys would bond with my son, Adrian—I agreed.
Looking back, I wish I had listened to my instincts.
From the moment they arrived, it was clear Tyler and Jaden weren’t interested in spending quality time with their cousin. With expensive luggage in tow and an air of superiority, they entered my home like they were doing me a favor. Tyler, 13, had a constant smirk, while 15-year-old Jaden barely acknowledged Adrian’s warm welcome.
Adrian had baked cookies and was excited to share them. Instead of appreciation, he got turned-up noses and snide remarks. “This place smells like spaghetti,” Tyler muttered, while Jaden chimed in at dinner, “Our chef makes garlic confit at home.”
That set the tone for their visit. They criticized everything—our meals, the guest beds, even the refrigerator. They made fun of Adrian’s gaming laptop, asking if it could handle anything beyond Solitaire. Every attempt Adrian made to connect was met with dismissal or mockery. They brushed off his invitation to play outside or build with LEGO, acting as though they were too grown-up or too important.
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