Mom brings 10-year-old son along on family vacation to Florence, despite being told it was child-free, they accuse her of ruining the trip: ‘We got cardio, humiliation, and babysitting duties’

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Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Sep 29, 2025 5:00 PM EDT

Those who have the misfortune of going on vacation with kids know that it is not really a relaxing vacation. Having kids around means that you are always alert. The sightseeing, doing all kinds of attractions, and simply having your kids running around in a strange country can never go hand in hand with what you once knew as a relaxing time away from the troubles of your real life.

So if you do not have kids, the last thing you'd want is to be forced to spend your relaxing vacation with other people's children, just like the family in the story below.

This mom decided to bring her 10-year-old son on a family vacation to Florence, even though it was not exactly a kid-friendly vacation. What was supposed to be a nice day out in a lovely Italian city turned into a nightmare as soon as the kid showed his true colors. 

Safe to say, the family was not happy to be forced to deal with the kid during their vacation. But was it the mother's fault? Keep scrolling to read the full story and let us know what you think in the comments below.

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10558795008
    via Ron Lach

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

  • 02

    AITA for being furious that my cousin dragged her stupid kid on our Italy trip?

    We planned a family trip to Italy. Six adults. Should've been easy, should've been fun. But my cousin decided to bring her 10-year-old son.
    via sameerposwal
  • 03
    Big mistake. Honestly, I hate that she did this because that kid singlehandedly ruined our Florence day.
    via sameerposwal
  • 04
    We checked out of our Airbnb at 10 AM, flight wasn't until evening. I did the smart thing - booked Bounce luggage storage near Santa Maria Novella so we didn't have to haul suitcases.
    via sameerposwal
  • 05
    Drop bags, get the QR code, smooth as butter. For about five minutes I thought, great, this is going to be a chill day.
    via sameerposwal
  • 06
    Then the kid happened. First stop: Piazza della Signoria. Street performer painted head to toe in silver, standing still like a statue.
    via sameerposwal
  • 07
    The demon child stares for a minute, then just pinches his leg. Not a light touch, a full pinch, like he's testing the guy's paint job.
    via sameerposwal
  • 08
    Silver Man jumps, kid screams, the crowd laughs, performer yells in Italian, my cousin's falling over herself apologizing.
    via sameerposwal
  • 09
    Meanwhile, I'm standing there thinking, I hate this.\* We finally drag him away and I'm praying we can salvage the day.
    via sameerposwal
  • 10
    Nope. He runs straight to the Neptune fountain and climbs it like a jungle gym. A guard blows his whistle so loud the entire piazza stops.
    via sameerposwal
  • 11
    My cousin's face is purple, the guard's ped, the crowd is staring, and I'm just... done.
    via sameerposwal
  • 12
    By the time we picked up our luggage that night, everyone was silent. No talking, no laughing, just six adults completely drained by one kid who managed to turn Florence into his personal war zone.
    via sameerposwal
  • 13
    Florence
    via Andrea Batazzi

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

  • 14
    On the train to the airport I kept thinking, I paid for storage so we could enjoy Florence light and carefree.
    via sameerposwal
  • 15
    Instead, we got cardio, humiliation, and babysitting duties. I'll admit it: I muttered "stupid kid" more than once.
    via sameerposwal
  • 16
    I hated the entire day. And honestly, I hate that my cousin thought it was a good idea to drag him along in the first place.
    via sameerposwal
  • 17
    AITA for being this angry? Or is it fair to say her kid ruined Florence and I'm not obligated to pretend otherwise?
    via sameerposwal
  • 18
    Stupid kid.
    via sameerposwal
  • 19
    Head-Emotion-4598 NTJ. I'm curious about communication though. Did you guys know in advance that she was bringing her kid? Did anyone ask her not to or find someone to watch him? Or did she think it was a family trip, as opposed to an adults trip? Why would she think a 10 year old would have fun with no other kids around?
    via sameerposwal
  • 20
    Euphoric_common_2620 No. This was obviously an adults trip!
    via Euphoric_common_2620
  • 21
    Jen5872 After the kid (old enough to know better) pinched the street performer, I'd have walked off and pretended I didn't know them. Then I'd text them and tell them I'd meet them at the luggage later.
    via Jen5872
  • 22
    traciw67 Nta. NTJ. Your mistake was not saying that you'll meet up later and then go do your own thing w/o the spawn. And dont ever plan a vacation with her again. If you do, YTA!
    via traciw67
  • 23
    LadyWhimsy87 Uh, does anyone think that this is wildly inappropriate behavior FOR A TEN YEAR OLD? Even my brother, who was not a saint or an easy child, would have known at age 10 not to do ANY of these things.
    via LadyWhimsy87
  • 24
    Aggravating-Owl-8974 I'd tell her she and her son can do whatever, the rest of you want to enjoy your time. It's her fault for bringing him.
    via Aggravating-Owl-8974
  • 25
    smeeti We went with my then 10 yo to Rome last year and he managed to behave for the 3 hour Vatican tour and the rest of the time. I agree your trip could have been child free but this behavior is not typical of children that age.
    via smeeti
  • 26
    Healthy_Brain5354 YTJ for not telling her no to bringing her kid. Grow a backbone. Once you chose to travel with a kid this is what you get
    via Healthy_Brain5354

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family drama aita Italy kids mother reddit story parenting babysitting aunt family trip Reddit cousins women parents children Father vacation
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