Third-wheeling is awkward, but it's especially awkward if you feel like a third wheel with your husband and his ex-wife. Every year, a woman we'll call OP and her husband would travel. This year, OP was thrilled that her husband's son wanted to join them. She had been a steady presence in the kid's life for years, but his mom, her husband's ex, liked to one-up her. This ex told OP that she needed to join them on their travels as well, as there was no way that the kid was going to be allowed to…

One company must be confused about the meaning of “PTO." It stands for paid time off, aka those blissful days that some salaried employees earn to take vacation time without breaking the bank. There are few greater feelings than being relaxed on your vacation, safely away from your inbox and your boss, and still being paid for that. It's a lovely way to reward a company's hardworking employees. For u/ack1308, using vacation time wasn't that straightforward, though. They realized that the busine…

Another Monday comes and goes.

Planning a vacation? Don't make the same mistakes that these folks did. The fascinating thing about the beach is that it attracts the full spectrum of individuals: from the people who need a break to the people who need less of one, from the wise travelers to the foolish ones, and from the calm and collected types to the anxious souls who dream of rest and relaxation but cannot help themselves. Personally speaking, I fall into the lattermost category. I'm not the type of person who can easily r…

We all make mistakes sometimes

It's not easy dealing with a Monster-in-law. Just ask Jennifer Lopez! Dealing with particular in-laws means always having to walk a fine line between pleasing them and standing up for yourself. This becomes all too real on family gatherings and vacations. Suddenly, you're forced to be with them all the time and to cater to their needs, wishes, and fluctuating moods. This Redditor has been preparing for an upcoming trip after learning that their mother-in-law was made aware of private informatio…

But it's my birthday...

Forgetful parents are one thing, but when they fail to tell you they're going on vacation, that's a whole other can of worms. I remember my parents once forgot to tell me that they were visiting my state. When I found out (via pictures on Facebook, mind you) I was absolutely livid. I could have taken time off to spend with them but instead, I was stuck on a big project and couldn't drop everything at the last second. Plus, I didn't even really want to see them at that point. How could they forg…

One man shared his concern over his new girlfriend's complaints about a family tradition he had with his daughter. He had been taking his daughter on a yearly vacation, and this tradition actually began when his daughter's mother passed away. When he met his girlfriend he discussed the trip, and at first, she didn't seem to mind, instead choosing to support this 'father-daughter' holiday. But, as the date grew closer, she began to doubt the lack of inclusion. She became upset and called him sel…

These siblings were trying not to argue in front of the kids, but they just can't agree on who needs to repay who . Children will get into everything that they can. They don't always understand the concept of valuable items. They have no problem throwing food on the floor, breaking plates or vases, or keying your car, just to name a few examples. Their brains simply aren't developed enough to know why some things are more important to grown-ups than others. That's why it's usually the responsib…

In a relationship, there are two possible outcomes. In the first, the couple lives happily ever after, but in the second, they split up and decide to lead completely separate lives. A frustrated man who had just been dumped tells his story below. The original poster (OP) and his ex-partner worked together to decide what would be the best course of action in the given situation after their separation, and they subsequently split peacefully. All that changed, though, when OP's girlfriend texted h…

Woof, I need a vacation.

There are some trials and tribulations that parents just have to watch their kids go through. Ill-advised bangs, unsightly fashions, and a goofy minimum wage first job are some of the classic ‘trials' that every teenager needs to learn about through experience. But when that goofy part-time job starts becoming exploitative, it's time for Mama Bear's gloves to come off.

Work hard, player harder

You could possibly win the lottery if you are really lucky. If, however, your spouse attempted to take advantage of the circumstance and plan the vacation as though she had won the prize from the beginning, how would you react? That is, assuming you overcome the odds and manage to score a complimentary holiday. That's exactly what transpires in the story below. The original poster (OP) had won a trip to California that included 4 tickets. He informed his wife about the wonderful news and expres…

Working in the hospitality industry can be challenging. There are a lot of factors to take into account, in addition to the long hours, entitled guests, and constant barrage of unreasonable requests. The story that follows is an account of a frustrated front desk clerk. A woman approached the Original Poster (OP) while she was working the night shift. She stormed into the hotel and insisted on being checked in right away. But not long after she arrived, OP recognized that the woman in front of…