Redditor Living In Cramped House Wonders If She's The A-Hole For Wanting To Keep Away Her Safe Space From Niblings

Her sister keeps forcing her to let her niblings in even though she has already offered a compromise.

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• Published in Interesting
• January 4, 2024

Establishing boundaries can be a bit challenging, particularly with those closest to you. Even in functional families, there will be members who tend to go overboard and do things that push your buttons.

One Redditor finds it extremely hard to set boundaries, especially since she lives with an extended family in a small house. The original poster (OP), who lives with 12 people in a two-bedroom house, shares her issue with the "Am I The A**hole?" (AITA) community.

The OP has a longstanding rule about not allowing kids into her room, a boundary that existed even before her brother and his kids moved in four years ago. Despite her clear stance, her sister and her kids have been persistently pushing the boundaries.

Out of the eight kids in the house, three of them have access to messenger apps, bombarding the OP with messages and calls asking to hang out in her room. The OP consistently says no, offering alternatives like spending time in common areas or planning activities outside the house.

However, the pressure has escalated to the point where the oldest niece calls her over 50 times in an hour, causing concern at her workplace. The OP's room is already cramped and cluttered due to personal struggles with depression, leaving no space for anyone else.

Recently, the sister confronted the OP, accusing her of being stuck up and refusing to help out around the house. The OP, trying to maintain her boundaries, explained the reasons behind her decision.

However, her sister became more upset, implying that the OP thinks she's better because she doesn't have kids and insisting that she needs to contribute more to the household.

OP is being called the a-hole for protecting her boundaries at home.

OP lives in a cramped household, sharing the roof with her mom, siblings, and niblings.

OP established a rule of not allowing kids in her room.

The niece kept calling OP to the point that the OP's boss got concerned.

The kids just won't stop pestering her.

OP's room is so full of stuff, it can ideally fit one person. She's also been struggling mentally, compelling her to protect her personal space.

Her sister became upset over not allowing the niblings to enter her room.

OP gets even called a stuck up for wanting her room to herself.

The sister and her children needs some lesson on respect.

As for the OP, the best way to keep the kids away without worries is installing a lock.

OP needs to address the issue of her niece disturbing her at work.

Otherwise, she might risk getting fired.

OP needs to keep standing her ground if she really wants her safe space protected.

There is something fishy with the sister getting this upset at the OP. Maybe she just wants a free babysitter.

The calls at work need to stop, so she should consider blocking her niece.

The community doesn't think the OP is the a-hole for keeping the kids away from her room. In fact, they encourage her to continue standing her ground and preventing the kids from entering her safe space.

It's not the OP's fault that they had to move. The responsibility lies with the sister on how to deal with the little ones pestering the OP to let them into her room.

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