“Family dinners should be about spending time together, not tricking me into babysitting. If you need help, just ask — and I’ll gladly say yes if I’m available. But please respect my time, just like I respect yours.”The next day, my dad called to apologize. It wasn’t easy, but it opened up an honest conversation about boundaries and respect.From then on, when they needed a sitter, they asked me directly — and when they invited me to dinner, it was truly to share a meal as a family.Lesson: Clear boundaries are important. When you respectfully stand up for yourself, you show others how to treat you and create stronger relationships.