Now, a week later, the sight in front of me was nothing short of chaos. Dirty dishes were piled high in the sink, random toys and clothes were scattered across every surface, and my once-cozy bed was buried under a mountain of laundry. The fridge was empty, save for a few half-eaten leftovers, and the trash can was overflowing.

My first thought was to cry. My second thought was to turn around and get back on the plane. But instead, I dragged my suitcase inside and began assessing the damage, fury bubbling under the surface.