Dear Annie: Our son-in-law’s entitled behavior makes family trips less enjoyable

Dear Annie: Every year, my wife and I take our grown kids and their spouses on nice vacations. We’ve flown them business class to various overseas locations, and since we don’t live in the same cities, we cherish this time together.

The issue is our son-in-law, “Pete.” He behaves like he’s paying for the trip, constantly boasting about his latest business ventures, though our daughter is the real breadwinner. He always orders the most expensive items on the menu and complains if the liquor selection isn’t top-tier. This is not how they live at home, and his entitlement is frustrating.

Pete also doesn’t like children and makes it known how irritated he gets when any are around. His thin skin means that even the slightest comment causes him to sulk for days. Overall, his behavior has made these vacations unpleasant.

We brought this up with our daughter in what we thought was a civil conversation, but she brushed it off, saying he’s just “maximizing” his vacation. To us, “maximizing” feels like him taking full advantage of our generosity.

We’ve thought about ending these trips, but we love spending time with our son and his wife, who are a joy to be around. We don’t want to stop the vacations entirely because of Pete’s behavior. What do you suggest? — Frustrated Generous Parents

Dear Frustrated Generous Parents: Pete sounds like quite the handful! I think it’s time to let him foot the bill for his top-shelf liquor. You’re already treating them to flights and luxury accommodations; he can splurge on his own taste in spirits. His entitlement isn’t doing anyone any favors, least of all your grandchildren, who certainly don’t need that kind of role model.

It might be time for a reality check. Letting him take responsibility for his actions (and expenses) could cool his britches a bit. Nothing like paying for your own extravagances to bring things into perspective.