By day three, I snapped. At dinner, I finally told Linda that I wanted some time for myself too. Her response was, “That’s what family does.” It hit me hard. I realized I wasn’t here to be their helper; I wanted to be treated like family.

The next morning, I quietly packed my things, dropped the girls off at their parents’ cabin, and booked a solo room. I finally had peace—time for myself, no demands. The cruise turned into something I hadn’t expected: a chance to reconnect with myself.When my dad apologized for not noticing how I was being treated, I realized that sometimes, you have to stand up for your own needs. The rest of the trip was mine to enjoy, and I learned that I didn’t need to sacrifice my happiness to be part of the family.