We Covered the Cost of My Stepdaughter’s Honeymoon, Only for Her to Call Us ‘Cheap’ — So We Decided to Teach Her a Lesson About Respect

When a dream honeymoon falls short of expectations, one phone call from my stepdaughter, Brooke, set off a lesson in gratitude.

I became a stepmother at 45 when I married Gary, and though Brooke, then 13, and I didn’t always get along, I did my best to care for her. By her twenties, Brooke had grown into a successful, though somewhat spoiled, young woman. Gary and I supported her every step of the way, including her expensive wedding. Afterward, we booked her a lavish honeymoon in the Dominican Republic.

But the morning after Brooke’s arrival, I received a call. Her tone was accusatory as she complained about the villa, the pool, and the beach. She even called us “cheap” for not meeting her expectations. Gary was furious, but I had an idea: it was time to teach her a lesson in gratitude.

I called the villa and downgraded their reservation to a simple hotel room, no pool or ocean view. A few hours later, Brooke called, enraged by the change. I calmly explained that if she thought the villa was too “cheap,” she might appreciate the modest room more. Gary added, “This is a reality check.”

Brooke didn’t call again until later in the week. She apologized, admitting she had been ungrateful. Gary and I were relieved, knowing the lesson had worked. Sometimes, people just need a wake-up call.