Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

To ban SD from my en suite?!

767 replies

EasterEstherEgg · 02/07/2026 18:48

I’m fuming!!

When I moved in with DH, an en suite was an essential on my list. I have DD12 and he has SS15 and SD17 and I don’t want to share my personal space with teenagers. They’re also not allowed in our bed.

Have come back from a work trip early to find SD getting out of my bath, with my shampoos, body lotions and creams laid out and my bloody dressing gown and slippers on and apparently she often does this when I’m away!

She - and DH and everyone else - are well aware my en suite is off limits. AIBU?

OP posts:
Pippa12 · 03/07/2026 23:28

She can’t of been using that much of your stuff if you’ve only just realised and she’s been in multiple times.

It’s fairly normal mischievous teenage behaviour.

Her ring worm is likely linked to her athletes foot.

You don’t sound like you like them very much.

Sounds like you need to work less- it’s causing you to see red mist.

CountryGirlInTheCity · 03/07/2026 23:18

mylifeisexams · 03/07/2026 22:53

I don’t think I implied I was a better parent. I simply explained how I feel about sharing things with my children. I never said I didn’t think I was entitled to my own things. I just don’t care as much about my things as I do about my DC. That’s all.

Those of us who don’t think this was acceptable don’t care more about our things than our DC either! You have made a big assumption there. Speaking personally, I care deeply about my children and love them with a passion but I didn’t always allow them to use all my stuff. I liked my Jo Malone perfume, which was a gift from DH. I didn’t routinely let DD use it. She was fine with that because she knew it was mine and was a present from her dad. I love DD infinitely more than I love my perfume though…..the two are not mutually exclusive.

Often showing love involves giving something or sharing something of your own but sometimes loving someone means saying no to them or not giving them everything their heart desires. Putting in boundaries and denying things can also be an act of love if it’s to teach a long term lesson or if it’s for their good. Teaching children that it’s nice to share is a good lesson but teaching them that they can’t always have something that belongs to someone else is also an important lesson. As is the lesson that if they have something of value to them they don’t always have to share it with someone else. They are allowed to keep it safe and use it when they want to. Why should it be any different for OP? She has bought herself some treats with her hard earned money and someone else has taken them without asking and in secret and then used them wastefully. Of course she is upset.

dcthatsme · 03/07/2026 23:16

Wow I’d be intrigued by your products - your en-suite sounds like a luxury spa - it’s obviously so full of fabulous stuff how could she not be tempted. Choose your battles op - this one isn’t worth fighting inmho

ForeverTheOptomist · 03/07/2026 23:14

EasterEstherEgg · 02/07/2026 23:50

Why the fuck should I put a lock on an internal door in my own home?

I cannot read these posts any further. It is fucking outrageous and a total piss take. Yes, you could put a lock on your bedroom door. On the other hand, you could put a grenade up your step daughter's arse. Do not put up with this shit from any of them. Total disrespect.

Thank you for listening.

Cherrysoup · 03/07/2026 23:10

EasterEstherEgg · 03/07/2026 21:56

No but I think I might feel “gggrrr, I wasted my only child’s childhood working as hard as I could to pay for a house that wasn’t respected or appreciated. I wish I’d just focused on her”

Fair. What do you want to do?

mylifeisexams · 03/07/2026 22:58

Cherrytree86 · 03/07/2026 22:27

@mylifeisexams

thats quite selfish of you to not share your nice chocolate with your poor son. Why can’t he have it?

Edited

Haha, I do hide it from him and it’s a bit of a running joke between us. Once when he was in primary school he was learning the trumpet so I hid some in his trumpet case as I knew he wasn’t practicing. Sure enough he was outraged he hadn’t discovered my latest hiding place.

Flamingojune · 03/07/2026 22:57

Putting so much emphasis on who is the highest earner is a bit of a crap message to the family

mylifeisexams · 03/07/2026 22:54

CaniculeMalaise · 03/07/2026 22:43

I have expensive clothes, make up and skincare. My DD is 21 and has gone to Wimbledon today borrowing my brand new Loewe trainers, Chanel handbag and very expensive sunglasses. Admittedly she is always respectful and careful would always ask and never just take things. I do understand you being hacked off at your SD taking without asking but your posts come over as quite transactional. I would unreservedly give my DD anything of mine without batting an eyelid and hope that if I had a SD I would treat her similarly. I just care about her so much more than anything material I own.

Absolutely this. Although I appreciate the OPs dynamic with her DH and her SD is different.

mylifeisexams · 03/07/2026 22:53

0Thatsplenty0 · 03/07/2026 22:24

You do know that your way doesn't mean you're a better parent don't you? I actually think it's quite sad that you don't feel you're entitled to your own things.

I don’t think I implied I was a better parent. I simply explained how I feel about sharing things with my children. I never said I didn’t think I was entitled to my own things. I just don’t care as much about my things as I do about my DC. That’s all.

outerspacepotato · 03/07/2026 22:52

She's going to use your stuff and fuck your rules.

It's very disrespectful. She's been going behind your back, accessing your private bath and using your things and wearing your stuff.

Inventory your jewelry and other stuff. Your husband likely knows she's been doing this.

I don't think your rule of keeping your br private is excessive at all. I wouldn't have dreamt of using my dad's wife bathroom.

This seems to have uncovered a lot of cracks and resentment in your marriage.

2O26 · 03/07/2026 22:44

A few people have talked about how their Moms would share everything with them (the ensuite, bathrobe, face cream) and how they were very close. OP, how old were your stepchildren when you got married? Is your DH the father of your DD? I ask because you will never have the same relationship with a stepchild as your own child, especially if they moved in with you when they were older—and even more so when there is joint custody. If your husband had full custody and you had helped raise them since they were toddlers, you would have a much stronger bond.

CaniculeMalaise · 03/07/2026 22:43

I have expensive clothes, make up and skincare. My DD is 21 and has gone to Wimbledon today borrowing my brand new Loewe trainers, Chanel handbag and very expensive sunglasses. Admittedly she is always respectful and careful would always ask and never just take things. I do understand you being hacked off at your SD taking without asking but your posts come over as quite transactional. I would unreservedly give my DD anything of mine without batting an eyelid and hope that if I had a SD I would treat her similarly. I just care about her so much more than anything material I own.

godmum56 · 03/07/2026 22:41

oldmoaner · 03/07/2026 22:29

So if you put a luck on YOUR ensuite your husband can't use it either if you are away? It wouldn't bother me I. The slightest as for your products you go away out then away same with your dressing gown. In a family I wouldn't think of any part of the home being MINE but that's how I am.

a doormat?

Buffs · 03/07/2026 22:37

EasterEstherEgg · 03/07/2026 00:02

I’ve felt sorry for SC before too, but now I just feel sorry for DD and that I’ve let her live with such disrespectful pigs.

I can appreciate her using your expensive products is infuriating but my lovely, respectful, well behaved daughter has done the same . They all do it and that doesn’t make her a ‘pig’. You clearly have a lot of bad feeling towards your step daughter that is more than just this one incident.
If you are separating as you say, it’s probably best for all.

Cherrytree86 · 03/07/2026 22:35

Jumpingthesharkinfestedwaters · 03/07/2026 22:17

What on earth does this man have that persuaded you to put all your money and hard work into housing him and his kids? Please tell us you have protected your deposit by deed of trust, and your unequal contributions to the mortgage through a properly proportionate tenants in common arrangement.

@EasterEstherEgg

of course! That’s EXACTLY what some people on here think you should do! Work away and stress at your job to find your child having Chanel skincare…while you make do with Aldi’s own brand…because that is just what good mothers do 🤷‍♀️

shuggles · 03/07/2026 22:35

Apsodjdv · 02/07/2026 18:56

I’d got crazy at this

Talk about directing your anger at the important stuff.

Doubledenim305 · 03/07/2026 22:34

2O26 · 03/07/2026 01:10

I wonder if your SD does this deliberately to say, 'Screw you.' She wears your robe, your slippers, and your expensive skin creams—all of which she does when you are away. I suspect she wants you to know she has no respect for you, and it is your DH who needs to lay down the law.

They don't tho do they. They mollycoddle their DDs (protective daddy) and resent the new wife for upsetting their child.

Wishihadanalgorithm · 03/07/2026 22:29

OP, I’m outraged for you!

Your DH sounds like he has more to lose in this relationship than you. His DD sounds feral. I’d be fuming if she was using my stuff too.

I’d let DH know this is a make or break situation, or just end it.

He sounds ineffective and the kids just need proper boundaries.

If he can’t or won’t step up, I’d separate.

oldmoaner · 03/07/2026 22:29

So if you put a luck on YOUR ensuite your husband can't use it either if you are away? It wouldn't bother me I. The slightest as for your products you go away out then away same with your dressing gown. In a family I wouldn't think of any part of the home being MINE but that's how I am.

Cherrytree86 · 03/07/2026 22:27

0Thatsplenty0 · 03/07/2026 22:24

You do know that your way doesn't mean you're a better parent don't you? I actually think it's quite sad that you don't feel you're entitled to your own things.

@mylifeisexams

thats quite selfish of you to not share your nice chocolate with your poor son. Why can’t he have it?

Doubledenim305 · 03/07/2026 22:25

EasterEstherEgg · 02/07/2026 18:58

I’m very strongly considering a lock but I’m disappointed to need one in my own home!!

That's the nub of it tho (I say from experience with DH and stepkids).....it's not your own home now. They see it as their home and that they can do as they please.
Therein lies the problem and the battle. Pretty intolerable. I feel your upset OP. Nobody really prepares u for the reality. It's nearly broken our marriage. Not the bathroom issue but the general sentiment. I paid for the majority of the house but still have had to fight to not be sidelined in it by all the other players. Awful 😞

Cherrytree86 · 03/07/2026 22:25

2O26 · 03/07/2026 17:49

"maybe it’s a good thing that SD feels close enough to you to want to use your stuff?" It could be the case If she did this when OP was around, but she only does it when OP is away.

@geminicancerean

yes OP, can you not just be happy and grateful?

0Thatsplenty0 · 03/07/2026 22:24

mylifeisexams · 03/07/2026 21:51

Well of course.

i don’t spend stupid amounts on creams. But I do on clothes and jewellery, and my 16 yo DD is welcome to use and have all of it. If I did buy £££ creams of course I would let her use them. She’s my girl and I’d do anything for her. My mum was the same with me. I can’t imagine keeping stuff separate from my child. I actually delight in doing things for her and sharing my life with her. I can’t imagine any other way.

Apart from I do hide chocolate from my teen DS because he’s a greedy bugger. Aside from that what’s mine is theirs!

In this case though the OP has bigger issues with her DH and her SD so I do understand her now.

You do know that your way doesn't mean you're a better parent don't you? I actually think it's quite sad that you don't feel you're entitled to your own things.

Jeschara · 03/07/2026 22:23

I would leave him. He and his child are disrespectful. You pay 75% of the mortgage, and everything else and still you get shown no appreciation.

Sharptonguedwoman · 03/07/2026 22:20

mylifeisexams · 03/07/2026 22:17

Well it’s up to you, all families are different.

Well that’s true but the point is here that OPs family either haven’t sorted their rules or DSD has chosen not to comply.