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AIBU?

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Mum Overstepping??

60 replies

Bumblebee0918 · 22/02/2026 19:00

I am feeling increasingly annoyed at my mother and don't know if I am being unreasonable or not. For many years she used to pop over to see me and have a coffee on a Sunday afternoon but stopped doing so for a couple of years due to extrememental health issues. She decided last year that she was going to restart but without consulting me. Like has changed considerably in this time - I have doubled the hours work (now about 60 a week), my son commutes to a different city for college meaning early starts and long days we have some caring responsibilities for 2 older relatives (not full-time). It is no longer convenient as it is now the busiest part of the week which I have told her repeatedly and offered Sunday morning or Saturday instead. She refuses to come at other times or will come and then still want to come Sunday afternoon. Some Sundays she will chase me for hours or message me repeatedly asking if she can come, suggesting she won't stay long, will help me with my work etc sometimes over 10 times to the point I dread Sundays. I saw her yesterday instead and when she mentioned coming over this afternoon, I explained it wouldn't be convenient, my daughter came home from uni and we have had to go to the airport and pick my son up from a school trip. I was in the process of getting a quick tea when she walked in, unannounced and without knocking. She had her own key cut when house sitting without consulting us. I am at a loss and almost don't feel like my house is my own. I feel like actually telling her she isn't welcome at all if she can't respect my boundaries and changing the lock but don't know if this would be unreasonable. My husband thinks I should tolerate it.

OP posts:
Carouseloflife · 22/02/2026 19:23

I agree with your husband.

PeopleLikeColdplayYouCantTrustPeopleJez · 22/02/2026 19:22

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Hopefully the OP will have the self awareness to not behave like her mother does.

I really hate that people (usually women let’s face it) are expected to put up with any old shit just because the person dishing it out is related to them.

TomatoSandwiches · 22/02/2026 19:20

Change the locks and when she comes round and starts knocking ignore her until she leaves, she'll do it twice maximum, I can't believe how rude she is being.

PeopleLikeColdplayYouCantTrustPeopleJez · 22/02/2026 19:19

You’ve tried to be firm and set boundaries, it hasn’t worked as she isn’t respecting them or you. Time to change the locks. Literally leave her out on the doorstep if she comes round despite being told no not today.

KaleidoscopeSmile · 22/02/2026 19:14

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Octavia64 · 22/02/2026 19:10

Change the lock.

or put a bolt on the door so the key is not enough

Notquitethetruth · 22/02/2026 19:09

Change the lock. Very firm boundaries from now on and no more house sitting for her

Barrellturn · 22/02/2026 19:09

I think I would try ignoring her when she comes in and just carrying on with the hustle and bustle.

If that doesn't reduce the visits then lock change. Just say the lock got damaged by someone but don't give her a new key.

Bumblebee0918 · 22/02/2026 19:07

I have tried and she got another one cut before giving it back so she still uad one!

OP posts:
IknowwhatIneedtodo · 22/02/2026 19:03

Get that key back, pronto!