25-year-old employee refuses to swap vacation days for 32-year-old entitled coworker with kids, causing ongoing work drama: 'People without kids should be more flexible!'

Author image for Ben Weiss
Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Sep 11, 2025 8:00 AM EDT

Being a working parent requires the kind of balancing act and attention to detail that few can pull off well. It's why asking for help is an important part of the process. However, there should be a fine line between helping out a parent in need and upending your entire life for that person just because you don't have the same responsibilities.

Plenty of people choose not to have children, but that doesn't mean they should be encouraged to give up their own wants and needs to folks who did choose to start their families. This employee had planned their upcoming vacation for months. They requested their vacation days, got them approved, and had already made travel and hotel arrangements. However, when the entitled coworker on their team realized that her kids' fall break was coming up during that same window and she hadn't planned anything, she had the audacity to request that the 25-year-old employee give up their vacation days so she could use them. 

First of all, a functioning workplace environment would be one that would not fall apart if both employees were granted the ability to take their vacations during that same window. Second of all, just because this parent did not plan well does not mean that this employee has to take the loss for her, just because they're younger and childless. The assumption that the 25-year-old should give up their well-deserved free time for their coworker reinforces a false hierarchy that supports parents above everyone else. Don't get me wrong: parents need to be supported, especially when it comes to work. However, that should not come at the expense of the freedoms that other employees deserve. Keep scrolling below for the full story and for the best reactions from members of this online community!

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement

  • "[Am I wrong] for refusing to swap vacation days with my coworker who has kids?"

    A female employee communicates with a younger coworker and points at her.
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • It's no secret that juggling one's own work schedule with the school schedules of one's children requires expert planning that should be done well in advance. For instance, this mother should have looked at her kids' school schedule as soon as it was released to start planning that fall break. Instead, she waited until merely a few weeks before. Here's hoping she learned a lesson after the employee refused to help her out!

  • I (25M) work in a small office. We have a vacation calendar based on schedule provided. Back in January, I booked a week off in September for trip with my friends and wife.
    via Embarrassed-Map-7090
  • A coworker (32F) with 2 kids asked me last week if I can swap because she "forgot to book her kids' fall break". I told her I couldn't-its been planned for months, I've already bought flights and my friends arranged time off too.
    via Embarrassed-Map-7090
  • She got upset and said "People without kids should be more flexible. You don't understand how hard it is for parents." I told her I respect that, but its not my responsibility to fix her mistake.
    via Embarrassed-Map-7090
  • Now some coworkers are saying I should've just given her the week, because "kids come first." Others agree with me. So AITB? edit: this post just blew up and well thanks you all for the support
    via Embarrassed-Map-7090
  • BanisienVidra ⚫ You should ABSOLUTELY give her the days...IF she pays for your flights, your wife's flights, your friends flights and all your accommodation and any day trips you've booked. I consider this only fair.
    via Embarrassed-Map-7090
  • Why are people this entitled just because they popped out a few kids?
    via Embarrassed-Map-7090
  • A female manager folds her arms while speaking to a male coworker who is showing her something on a laptop.
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • MyldExcitement. Lack of planning on their part doesn't constitute an emergency on your part.
    via Embarrassed-Map-7090
  • LawfulnessSuch4... No, making the correct plans comes first! It ain't up to you to fix her mistake!!
    via Embarrassed-Map-7090
  • RSGK. NTB! You're correct that it's not your fault she didn't plan ahead. The people saying you should sacrifice all your long-ago made plans because "kids come first"
    via Embarrassed-Map-7090
  • are total, huge b faces. So are parents who think co- workers should bend their lives around them.
    via Embarrassed-Map-7090
  • jase40244 · I do agree with the sentiment that "kids come first." Her kids come first to her. Maybe she'll remember that the next time it comes to requesting time off in advance to do kids. with her
    via Embarrassed-Map-7090
  • redrosebeetle Nope. The schools near me post their academic calendar for the following year about one year in advance. Nearly every parent I know starts booking for time off as soon as they possibly can.
    via Embarrassed-Map-7090
  • BrewDogDrinker ⚫ Nta. Tough sh for her, should have been more organised.
    via Embarrassed-Map-7090
  • Different_One265. Ask her for the cost of your vacation - in full. If she says she doesn't have it. Tell her to STFU
    via Embarrassed-Map-7090
  • JanetInSpain ⚫ NTA having kids is a choice and is NOT a "get out of jail free" card of entitlement to take advantage of others. She forgot to book. That's a HER problem and you have ZERO obligation to fix that problem for her.
    via Embarrassed-Map-7090
  • Yeah f those people who say "people without kids should be more flexible" our life is just as important to us as theirs is to them. This is a hill to di on.
    via Embarrassed-Map-7090
  • Cute-Presence2825 People with kids need to plan better.
    via Embarrassed-Map-7090
  • Jsmith2127. "Other people's children don't come first to me" There is no reason for you to be made responsible for her not putting in for time off when she should have. Her children are her responsibility, and only her responsibility
    via Embarrassed-Map-7090

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

terrible coworkers aita workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace job work coworkers karen coworker entitled people karma company entitled people toxic-work-environment
Scroll Down For The Next Article