When my husband Keith announced he was going on vacation with his parents without even asking me I was stunned. Our daughter Lily was just 12 weeks old, and I was exhausted from caring for her nonstop. His excuse? “You don’t work.” That one sentence cut deeper than all my sleepless nights combined. He truly thought maternity leave meant I was off duty.

I said nothing. I smiled, watched him leave, then quietly packed up Lily and went to my mom’s. I canceled bill payments, emptied the fridge, and turned off my phone. For two days, I enjoyed something I hadn’t had in weeks peace. Meanwhile, Keith got a glimpse of what life looked like without the help of his supposedly “non-working” wife.

When I switched my phone back on, messages poured in: “Where are you?” “Why is the power out?” “I can’t find my suit!” I waited another day before replying with one message: “Thought I’d take a vacation too since I don’t work.” His panic quickly turned to regret, then sincere apologies.

When I returned, the house was chaotic, and Keith looked worn out. He apologized and admitted he never realized how much I actually did. I handed him a printed list of chores he’d now share. Since then, he’s stepped up because sometimes, actions teach lessons words can’t.