10 Parents Who Take Boundaries and Smash Them Into Dust (2025)

• Irecently went toawedding where afriend ofmine brought her son, handed him aniPad, and let him play games onitatfull volume during the entire ceremony. Itwas honestly pretty distracting, especially during the vows. Iget that kids can get bored, but itfelt like there was noeffort tokeep things quiet orrespectful ofthe moment.
  Itried tomention ittoher beforehand, asking ifshe understood the basics ofwedding etiquette, like keeping noise toaminimum during the ceremony. Apparently, that made mecome off asrude, butI just couldn’t ignore how inconsiderate itwas. Iget that her son might need the distraction, but there’s atime and place, you know?

• Iam 39weeks pregnant. Over the course ofmypregnancy, Ihave had several issues with myMIL, the two biggest being her wanting tobeinthe delivery room whenI give birth, even thoughI have made itclear since the beginning that the only personI want there ismyhusband.
  However, the biggest issue has been her wanting toknow the baby’s name. The baby isgoing tobenamed after mygrandfather, whomI have been extremely close tomyentire life, because ofthis, wedecided tokeep itasecret soitcould beasurprise tohim once she isborn. MyMIL even went asfar assnooping through myhospital bag totry and find either the sweater orthe welcome-to-the-world sign that has her name onit.
  Luckily, Icaught her before she found them. Yesterday she called myhusband again, asking why she can’t know the name, even going asfar assaying, “What ifsomething happens tomeandI never get toknow mybaby’s name?” For reference, she isingood health and does not work adangerous job.©Routine_Exit_4306/ Reddit

• Iam married and live inadifferent state from myparents. I’ve had iPhone’s Find myfriends app sinceI had aphone at12years old that myparents setup. When Igot married, myhusband found itstrange that myparents could see mylocation once wemoved out, butI just figured they would want itonfor safety.
  Two years later, mybrother, who still lives with myparents, gives meaheads-up that myparents were judging myactions based onmylocation. Ifigured itwould beagood time toremove that app and, thus, deleted their ability tosee mylocation.
  This blew upinto awhole situation where myparents are now saying that itwas providing them comfort and safety toknow where Iwas, and itwas just a ‘mishap’ and abad day for them. Additionally, mydad decided toretaliate and remove myaccess from all streaming services hepaid for and threatened toremove mybrother from the Wi-Fi for tattling aswell.©Diz_Savvy/ Reddit

• Afew years ago, Iwas acaregiver for myhusband, who was recovering from back surgery, and mymother, who was inthe final stages ofdementia. Ontop ofthat, Iwas working full-time. Itwas overwhelming, soI hired acleaning service tocome every few weeks tohelp keep things manageable.
  After myhusband’s surgery, myin-laws came tovisit. Later Ilearned they had gone into areas ofour home that were off-limits toguests, rummaged through personal items, and made unsolicited remarks about the cleanliness ofcertain parts ofthe house.

• Yesterday, Iwas heading home from college with afriend when, out ofnowhere, Ifelt something hit mypants. Ilooked down tosee that awater balloon had splashed right ontome. Iglanced upand saw awoman and her kid ducking behind abush, clearly trying tohide.
  Iwas fuming because why were they throwing water balloons atstrangers? Iwent uptotheir door and knocked repeatedly until the mother answered.
  Iasked why she was encouraging her kid todothat, and she just shrugged, saying, “Sowhat? It’s just fun.” Itold her, “It’s not fun for everyone, especially when we’re carrying important things.” She just looked atmeand shut the door.

• Myparents decided toinvite myuncles and their families for dinner. Idon’t mind them coming over, but the thingis, their kids donot have any manners. Despite 3nannies accompanying the families wherever theygo, they refuse tocorrect the children ifthey are doing something damaging tothe house, like spilling water onthe floor orbreaking anornament.
  The nannies are scrolling through their phones while the children’s parents are having discussions with our family inthe living room. Ihave alot ofvaluable things inmyroom that Ido not want the kids near, asI know they’ll cry and ask for itand breakit. SoIsimply decided tolock myroom sonoone could enter and everything would besafe.
  Now, throughout the dinner, everything went well untilI saw one ofthe aunts with abuzz ofkids carrying her 2-year-old daughter outside our room. She called meover and said the room wasn’t opening and that we’d have tocall the key master. Isaid the room wasn’t opening asI’d lockedit, and she could use any other room tochange her daughter ifshe liked.
  She didn’t say anything; she just looked atmeabit weirdly and went tothe other room. Iknow she complained about itbecause after the dinner ended, mygrandmother was not happy with meand saidI was disrespecting myuncle and aunts. She said mycousins also have aright tothis house and tosee what’s inside the room. IthinkI did the right thing.©Candid-View-3616/ Reddit

• Sowe’re inline tosee Daisy, and mytwo-year-old isabout tomelt down. It’s hot, she’s tired, and she wants tohug Daisy. I’m physically restraining her and telling her wehave towait our turn. It’s not fun.
  Another mom just let her kid jump the line byrunning upand hugging Daisy. Instead ofapologizing with amortified face, she just let her kid doitand then told theCM totake apicture ofthem.©LtCommanderCarter/ Reddit

• Istill live athome with myparents whileI attend college. Ipay for myown tuition and contribute tohousehold expenses when Ican, but since myschool islocal, living athome saves meaton ofmoney.
  Recently, myolder sister and her two kids moved back inafter her divorce. She’s struggling financially, and myparents are letting her stay here rent-free until she gets back onher feet. Iget that it’s atough situation, and I’ve been helping out with the kids when Ican.
  Myparents want metogive upmybedroom, somysister’s kids can have their own space. Wehave asmall house, and mysister isalready taking the guest room, sothe kids are currently sleeping with her. Myparents think itwould bebetter for them tohave their own room and are asking metomove tothe couch or“makedo” bysqueezing into their office space.
  Isaidno. I’ve lived here mywhole life, and this isstill myhome. Ineed myown space, especially sinceI have aheavy college workload. Idon’t see whyI should bethe one tosacrifice myroom when this situation isn’t myfault.
  Mysister isupset, saying her kids are uncomfortable, and myparents are disappointed inmefor “not being more understanding.” Now the whole house istense, and I’m wondering ifI’m being selfish.©HellenMiller_2007/ Reddit

• Amonth ago, mybrother asked metowatch his kids for afew hours. I(a) already had apacked schedule, (b) had been feeling drained lately with barely any time torelax, and ©knew hehad two energetic kids who would need constant attention. Ididn’t want todoit, andI told himI was overwhelmed with everything going oninmylife.
  Last weekend, wegot together. Hetreated metoanice lunch, arelaxing foot massage, and even took metoanart exhibit. Itwas agreat day, and wehad alot offun. Heasked howI was doing, andI opened upabout some ofthe things that have been weighing onme. Weshared alot oflaughs and really enjoyed the time together.
  The next morning, Iwoke uptoatext from him saying ifI could still babysit his kids. Iwas livid. Ifelt like hetreated mejust toask for afavor.

• Aclose friend asked metobabysit her 5-year-old for anhour. Heisnaughty and very spoiled. Anhour passed. She didn’t come, soI called her.
  She said that she’d come only tomorrow, because she wanted tosleep and goshopping. Idressed her son, took him outside, and texted her that ifshe didn’t come, Iwould leave him inthe street. She immediately picked upher son, but took offense! ©Podslushano/ VK

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