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AIBU?

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AIBU not letting my friend stay over

34 replies

Silentwhisper93 · 07/09/2025 19:52

Hi all. I’m a mum to one in my late twenties. My best friend is similar age and no children. My friend lived with her ex for a while but now lives with a friend who she help care for her and her children, she currently sleeps on the sofa. But in all fairness she doesn’t do anything to change her circumstances. Anyway, she’s always asking to stay at my house. I hate people sleeping at my house and I hate staying at others. When my little one goes to bed and after work me and my partner just like to relax and do our own thing. Sometimes I give in and let her stay and she stays on the sofa but we both are up early for work and when our dc wakes up I don’t feel like I can walk around freely. We’re going to an event one night and I’ll be child free so after this I just want to go home and relax in my own company in silence 😂 but she’s asked to stay and I feel like I’ve exhausted all my excuses. I do admit I am a people pleaser and don’t want to hurt her feelings. Am I being unreasonable not letting her stay? And what should I say to her?

OP posts:
disturbia · 08/09/2025 18:44

Why doesn't your friend find her own place to live?

Oopsiedays · 30/03/2026 12:36

As a reformed people pleaser, I would advise you to please try to say no and don’t offer any reason. You don’t owe any explanation- it could just be ‘no’ cos you like watching tv naked. She’s unreasonable to ask you to disrupt your child’s peace and routine and potentially risk your own relationship

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 30/03/2026 13:52

Tell her you don’t find it relaxing having people stay over and it’s so unenjoyable that you’re not doing it.

tilypu · 30/03/2026 13:58

I was never good at saying no. I'm much better now I'm older - but I get it, op.

I would have probably said something that would suggest you were looking forward to some adult alone time with your child free night

Silentwhisper93 · 30/03/2026 16:23

Hi all I wrote this quite a while ago but I ended up saying no wnd still do when she asked. Also she’s still not found a place to live and doesn’t do anything about it unfortunately!

OP posts:
Silverbirchleaf · 30/03/2026 17:42

Well done on staying firm and not letting her stay.

Also, it’s six months since you first posted, and she’s still sofa surfing…

Cherrysoup · 30/03/2026 17:45

Silentwhisper93 · 30/03/2026 16:23

Hi all I wrote this quite a while ago but I ended up saying no wnd still do when she asked. Also she’s still not found a place to live and doesn’t do anything about it unfortunately!

Good for you! I’m a people pleaser too, but I hate people staying so I’d be tempted to always say no too!

DraigCymraeg · 13/08/2026 15:16

Rightandwrong · 07/09/2025 20:29

I think she is very cheeky asking to stay over at your house tbh.

And if she is cheeky enough to ask then I don't see why you have yto give excuses: just tell her the truth that it's not personal but you value your own private space.

Obviously occasions may arise where it would be unreasonable for her not to stay but it should be down to you to offer and not her to ask.

It sounds to me the 'Cheeky Friend' is trying to engineer staying longer term.
Why is she not looking for her own home?

Darragon · 14/08/2026 15:48

DraigCymraeg · 13/08/2026 15:16

It sounds to me the 'Cheeky Friend' is trying to engineer staying longer term.
Why is she not looking for her own home?

Maybe she is a year later????? 😵‍💫

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