jadelennox: Senora Sabasa Garcia, by Goya (0)
jadelennox ([personal profile] jadelennox) wrote in [community profile] agonyaunt 2020-02-02 09:08 pm (UTC)

There's a lot here, and I think so much is missing. As framed, the son sounds like he's being a dick. And yet! We don't hear whether LW spoke to the grandkids, and I really want to know what's happened there. Were the kids ordered to go in this cruise, or are they looking forward to it? Cruises notoriously have spotty and unaffordable cell service and wi-fi, which could be a living hell for many teenagers. What's their relationship with LW? Since LW doesn't seem to have spoken to them, I'm theorizing "bad".

Also, of course two (presumably) able-bodied teenagers should be carrying their own bags instead of expecting disabled grandparents to do it, and if that doesn't go without saying in this whole letter than WTF. ಠ_ಠ

Finally, LW might not be thinking about contemporary adolescence at all. A backpack might hold a laptop, several books, homework, a kindle, a phone, multiple chargers, possibly meds, makeup. A teenage girl who is not camping might expect a curling iron or a hair dryer -- do cruises come with hairdryers, like hotel rooms? Her dad's probably told her fancy clothes for when the grandparents take her to a nice dinner, plus theme park clothes, warm things for the deck of the ship...

But seriously, LW, comfort over grand gesture. I'd rather have enough clean underwear and not the theme park. Pay for a porter, or ask your son to do so. The bag might cause you stress, but the estrangement is DEFINITELY causing stress.



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