Taking my son on vacation felt like a dream come true, but watching the other kids avoid him was a nightmare I didn’t expect. When I confronted them, the truth shattered my heart… and had me marching towards the real culprits: their moms!
Taking my six-year-old son, Jack, on a trip was a dream that I spent years in the making. I’d saved for months to afford a few days at an exclusive seaside resort.
A resort next to the beach | Source: Midjourney
It was the kind of place that boasted private memberships for the well-to-do families who could afford it year-round but also offered guest passes for people like me.
The price wasn’t cheap, but the promise of a pristine beach, a sparkling pool, and endless activities for kids made it worth it. Jack deserved it. As a single mom, I didn’t get many chances to spoil him, and I was determined to make this vacation special.
A woman and her son at a resort lobby | Source: Midjourney
The day we arrived, his eyes went wide. “Mom, look at the pool! It’s so big! And that slide! Can we go swimming right now?”
“Let’s check in and unpack first,” I laughed, walking into the lobby of the hotel area. “But don’t worry, buddy. We’ll have plenty of time to explore everything.”
We reached the receptionist’s desk, and I was smiling like a mad woman. It was such a happy moment that I barely noticed the two ladies standing with their expensive bags and getting help from another attendant.
Two women looking at something in the lobby of a resort | Source: Midjourney
But I should’ve noted how they wrinkled their noses in my direction. It would’ve saved me a lot of trouble… and heartache.
***
That afternoon, Jack and I headed to the main pool. It was massive, with cabanas around the edges and a waterslide that twisted down into the shallow end.
The pool of a luxury resort | Source: Midjourney
My boy clutched his new beach ball and immediately spotted a group of kids playing catch in the water.
“Mom, can I go play with them?” he asked eagerly.
“Of course,” I said, smiling as he trotted over.
I watched as he approached the children with his usual confidence. “Hi! Can I play too?”
The kids stopped and stared at him, then glanced at each other. A few whispered, and then, without a word, they turned and swam away.
Kids by the pool | Source: Midjourney
I frowned as Jack returned to me.
“Mom,” he said. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No, sweetheart,” I assured him, though I was confused too. “Sometimes kids are just shy. Don’t let it bother you, okay? Maybe try again later.”
He nodded, but I saw that his initial excitement had dwindled.
A sad kid by the pool | Source: Midjourney
Unfortunately, this incident wasn’t isolated. It was a pattern I noticed by the second day. No matter where we went, like the pool, the beach, or even the kids’ club, Jack kept trying to join in, and the other children kept ignoring him.
“Mommy,” he asked that night back in our hotel room, “why don’t they want to play with me? Did I make them mad?”
“You didn’t make anyone mad,” I said, pulling him close. “You’re a wonderful kid, Jack. If they don’t want to play with you, that’s their loss.”
A mother and son talking in a hotel room | Source: Midjourney
But inside, my heart was breaking.
By the third day, I couldn’t take it anymore. Watching Jack’s confidence crumble with each rejection felt unbearable. I could play with him, of course, but I also wanted him to be able to play with kids his age.
So, that afternoon, I spotted the same group of boys by the pool and walked over. I schooled my expression and remained perfectly cheerful.
A woman walking by a pool | Source: Midjourney
“Hi there,” I said, crouching slightly to look less intimidating. “Can I ask you something? Why don’t you want to play with my son? He’s a really nice boy.”
The kids froze and exchanged nervous glances. Finally, one of them who seemed older than the rest, stepped forward shyly.
“Um… it’s not him,” he said, shuffling his feet. “It’s you.”
“Me?” I asked, stunned.
A woman looking surprsied and upset | Source: Midjourney
The boy nodded. “My mom and all the other moms said we’re not supposed to play with him because of you.”
I felt a pit in my stomach. “Why would they say that?”
He hesitated, then blurted, “Because you were on some TV show, a reality show, where people fight and act dramatic. Mom said you thought you were better than everyone else and didn’t follow the rules. And… that you were mean to everyone.”
A woman yelling on a beach with cameras around her | Source: Midjourney
I sighed. It was so hard to believe that part of my past was still coming to haunt me.
“Thank you for telling me,” I said, nodding to the boy. Then, I looked to the left and saw a group of women, looking toward us as they lounged by the pool.
Clearly, those were The Moms. I knew immediately the type of women they were, from their postures to their clothes to their stares. They probably had memberships at this resort and came often.
Elegant women laughing by the pool | Source: Midjourney
They must also feel entitled to control the social life of this place. They certainly had an eye on who their kids played with.
But what’s more, I recognized the way they stared at me. I’d seen it many times before from others who thought they knew me because of a show. So, after saying bye to the kids with a real smile (as this wasn’t their fault), I rose and marched straight to their moms.
“Excuse me,” I said, my voice sharp enough to interrupt their chatter and make them look up from their cocktails.
An angry woman with her hands on her hips by the pool | Source: Midjourney
“Hi,” said one of them, squinting her eyes. She flashed a fake, tight smile, her nose pinched like she was above talking to me.
For some reason, I knew she was the ringleader of this group.
“Hi,” I responded flatly. “I just spoke to the kids. I know what you’ve been gossiping about me, and I need to make one thing clear: you don’t get to punish my son for whatever you think I did years ago.”
A woman pointing a finger by the pool | Source: Midjourney
The Queen Bee’s grin faltered. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Oh, don’t play dumb,” I snapped. “Your kids told me everything. You’ve been telling them not to play with my son because of some ridiculous gossip about a TV show I was on. A show, by the way, that I left because I refused to participate in the drama and fake storylines the producers were pushing.”
TV producers on an island | Source: Midjourney
Another mom shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “Well, it wasn’t just gossip…”
“Yes, it was,” I said, cutting her off. “I stood up for myself and walked away, and if that makes me ‘a diva’ or ‘mean’ in your eyes, so be it.”
The ringleader crossed her arms. “Look, we were just trying to look out for our kids. You wouldn’t understand—”
Women looking upset by the pool | Source: Midjourney
“Oh, I understand perfectly,” I said, my voice rising. “You’re teaching your kids to judge others based on lies or what some show told you to believe. What kind of example is that? At least there’s hope for them because they told me the truth. Now, I can’t push them to play with my kid, but stop lying to them.”
None of the women responded to that, and they all took pains to avoid my eyes.
“Have a good day!” I snapped and stormed off.
A woman by the pool walking away | Source: Midjourney
Later that day, while Jack and I were building sandcastles on the beach, I noticed one of the moms walking toward me. I told my son to go fetch more water, in case she was coming to say something mean.
She hesitated a few feet away from me, as if stalling, and watched Jack run to the sea. But her steps continued after a second.
“Hi,” she said softly.
I looked up, bored. “What do you want?” I asked, not bothering to hide the edge in my voice.
A woman looking up from her spot on a sandy beach | Source: Midjourney
“I… I wanted to say I’m sorry,” she said, rushing her words. “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have judged you or your son. I also shouldn’t have said a thing to my kids. It wasn’t fair.”
I blinked but nodded slowly. “Okay…” I said. “So, you’re the only one who’s sorry?”
She shook her head and raised her hand. “No, no, no! Actually, they all feel the same way. They’re just… embarrassed. So, I came forward to apologize. We already told the children that we were wrong.”
An elegant woman at the beach | Source: Midjourney
I breathed a sigh. “Alright. I appreciate that.”
She smiled brightly, and now that I wasn’t so angry, I thought she looked beautiful, like a classic Hollywood actress.
A second later, I spotted the Queen Bee walking toward us with two other moms in tow. They apologized as well, and their words felt genuine.
I nodded, accepting their remorse, but I wasn’t sure all was clear. After all, my son was still without friends here.
A woman standing by sandcastles | Source: Midjourney
Speaking of Jack… I turned to look for him by the sea and smiled as my heart swelled. The kids had already gathered around him, and suddenly, they broke into a game of tag.
When I turned back to look at the moms, they were also smiling at the children.
A moment later, the classic Hollywood actress linked her arm with mine. “I’m Julie. Do you want to have a drink with us?” she asked eagerly.
And with that, the rest of the vacation was exactly what I envisioned. I had fun with my boy by the pool and by the beach. I even socialized a lot with the moms, although cautiously.
A mother and son running at the beach | Source: Midjourney
Jack had the fun I hoped he would, and that was more than enough to make me forget about the initial hiccup.
What’s more, this trip reminded me more than ever that adults set the example. If we admit our mistakes, apologize, and do better, our kids will notice. They’ll follow suit.
I’m not perfect, but I try to be the best version of myself, so my son strives for the same.
A mother and son on a porch swing | Source: Midjourney
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
Alan Jackson: A Story of Resilience and Triumph
The iconic 64-year-old country music hero Alan Jackson has captured the hearts of millions of people for more than 40 years with his timeless fusion of classic country music and honky-tonk rhythms. It is understandable that he has sold over 80 million records during his successful career given his immense contributions to the genre. However, his accomplishment is actually the result of a tale of perseverance and success in the face of hardship.
To the surprise of his devoted fan following, Alan disclosed last year that he had been diagnosed with a degenerative neurological condition. This information was received at a time when he and his family were still dealing with the untimely death of Mattie Jackson Selecman’s father, Ben Selecman. The family is still in deep grief over this terrible loss.
Despite these significant obstacles, Alan Jackson has used music as a means of self-expression and emotional healing. His albums “Where Have You Gone” (2021) and “Angels & Alcohol” (2015) are permanently marked by these very personal encounters. Alan honors the enduring love and priceless memories of those he has lost via his artistic creations.
As an Assistant District Attorney at the Davidson County District Attorney’s office, Ben Selecman was a rising star in his field. His sense of humor and unwavering dedication to his career are remembered with fondness by his colleagues. Everyone who knew him feels profoundly bereaved and left with a huge hole in their life.
Mattie Jackson, the daughter of Alan Jackson, has found comfort in her religion and her father’s unyielding support throughout this tragic time. They worked together on a strong song called “Racing the Dark,” which was a first for the father-daughter combination. This moving song is particularly meaningful to them both and is proof of the resilience that can arise even in the most painful circumstances.
Additionally, Mattie used her sorrow to fuel an incredible project by co-founding NaSHEville, a company that aims to empower women in Music City. “Lemons on Friday: Trusting God Through My Greatest Heartbreak,” her upcoming book, is a chronicle of her path of recovery and self-discovery. In this moving book, Mattie discusses her life’s extreme challenges, her spirit’s tenacity, and how these things helped her discover a new strength and purpose.
In a moving preface to the book, Alan and his wife, New York Times best-selling novelist Denise Jackson, discuss their own experiences and how they were able to find comfort and healing following the death of a family member. For others traversing the perilous waters of loss, their own journey serves as a beacon of hope.
Alan Jackson is adamant about his love of music and his desire to keep sharing it with the world even as he navigates his own health issues, particularly Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome, a degenerative nerve condition. The superstar of country music faces physical challenges as a result of this illness, but he is not letting it stop him from following his love. Alan’s steadfast dedication is evidence of his fortitude and willpower.
Let us offer Alan Jackson and his family our condolences and best wishes during these difficult times. We are appreciative of his music’s inspirational and joyful effects on our lives as fans. As we look forward to his upcoming performances and hold onto the classic songs that have become our lives’ soundtrack, may he find strength in the love and support of his loyal fan base.
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