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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

How do you set firmer family boundaries without becoming snappy?

109 replies

Lilypad789 · 22/06/2026 21:40

Please don’t post on Facebook as it is too specific and quite outing.

I am struggling to set boundaries within my (very close / immediate) family. I have asked for advice and I have followed a lot of what people suggested with some small successes. I am curious though as to how people would deal with the following scenarios in terms of boundary setting. For context I am a little burnt out, peri-menopausal and very much fell up. A little worried I may combust and say something I regret so I’m trying to be sensible and prevent that.

My child was visiting this weekend (pre-arranged) I knew we needed to be somewhere else 3.5hrs after they arrived (only 15 mins drive) My child gave me a rough time they would arrive so I decided to get ahead of the issue and send a message letting them know the latest time we would need to leave and stressed the importance of the event and that we were on time. I thought that would give them the chance to arrive at the beginning of their arrival estimation if they wanted to maximise their time with us. About 45 minutes before we needed to set off, I mentioned that I needed to start tidying up ready to leave. I started putting chairs away (all very obvious) I also asked my OH to go out and say to our younger children ‘you need to tidy your toys away now, we’re leaving for x,y,z in 10 minutes.’ And then eventually (because my adult child wasn’t packing anything up or getting ready to leave) I had to say that we needed to leave. We ended up being 10 minutes late to the next thing and I just don’t know how much clearer I could be.

The 2nd one I am interested in hearing advice about is how to set boundaries with my youngest child (9), I am hyper aware now that I must protect my time and my boundaries with them now so that I’m not still trying to do it in 15-20 years time like I am with my older child. I am gentle because they are young but it’s hard. For example, I have asked them to not come and ask me to help them / watch them do something / basically want my attention whilst I have my 1st coffee of the day (6-7 minute job) I don’t think that’s much to ask but they insist on still invading my space and talking to me and demanding my attention. I have said ‘remember not until I’ve finished my coffee.’ About 10,000 times! They asked me earlier to check the weather for tomorrow and I (not so gently) reminded them that I am allowed to look at my phone after a day filled with taking very good care of them and that they have a device they could check k the weather on.

Someone help me because I’m starting to not like people very much and I don’t want to be that person.

OP posts:
Lilypad789 · 23/06/2026 21:47

Honeyhonay · 23/06/2026 21:31

I want to know how to tell them that it’s time to leave when I feel like I’ve been quite clear about what I have to do. I have lots of very close family and I’m not prepared to give all my time to only one person at the expense of everyone else.

This is so strange, I can’t imagine my mother saying this about me or me thinking it about my children when they are older.
My mother would just say she was going out because X was prearranged, I could stay and see her after or let myself out when I was ready to leave.
Did this DC live in your current home during their childhood? It’s odd to tell them it’s time to leave at a pre agreed time, I just don’t know anyone who acts like that with their children.
It all sounds quite detached.

I don’t know what to tell you. I don’t / didn't want to see them after. If that makes me a bad person then that’s obviously what I am and I can live with that. That’s long enough for me on top of parenting younger children, cooking lunch for them, clearing up after them / hosting etc. When we got back it was bath time for the youngest ones, preparing for work the next day etc. I won’t be made to feel guilty, your Mum maybe didn’t have the same amount of things to do that I do. Or maybe she just didn’t want to hurt your feelings but really wished you would give her 5 minutes to herself or perhaps she was / is just a better person than me, that’s okay.

OP posts:
JustGiveMeReason · 23/06/2026 21:59

Lilypad789 · 23/06/2026 21:38

I’m not sure they have a hose. You’re being deliberately obtuse. They’re adults, why on earth would them staying 10 / 15 / 20 minutes later than the time we leave be beneficial to them in any way, shape or form after visiting for 4 hours? So that they then have to ensure my elderly dog is comfortable, the radio is on, certain doors are shut etc all to not have to pack up and leave at the time I said they needed to and reminded them of three times?

I’m not sure they have a hose.

hose = house. I think that it is pretty easy to work out that is a typo.

You’re being deliberately obtuse.

Well, clearly I'm not the only one

They’re adults, why on earth would them staying 10 / 15 / 20 minutes later than the time we leave be beneficial to them in any way, shape or form after visiting for 4 hours?
Reasons I can think of that my dc have stayed in my house after I've gone out, in recent times......

  • had a dentist appt and would prefer to stay were they were (at my house) for 20mins than leave at same time as me and sit in dentist waiting room
  • were going to work, and didn't particularly want to arrive too early, but didn't have time to go home then go out again
  • were waiting for a call they didn't want to take when driving

But, hey ho, we clearly have different relationships with our adult dc.

Lilypad789 · 23/06/2026 22:12

JustGiveMeReason · 23/06/2026 21:59

I’m not sure they have a hose.

hose = house. I think that it is pretty easy to work out that is a typo.

You’re being deliberately obtuse.

Well, clearly I'm not the only one

They’re adults, why on earth would them staying 10 / 15 / 20 minutes later than the time we leave be beneficial to them in any way, shape or form after visiting for 4 hours?
Reasons I can think of that my dc have stayed in my house after I've gone out, in recent times......

  • had a dentist appt and would prefer to stay were they were (at my house) for 20mins than leave at same time as me and sit in dentist waiting room
  • were going to work, and didn't particularly want to arrive too early, but didn't have time to go home then go out again
  • were waiting for a call they didn't want to take when driving

But, hey ho, we clearly have different relationships with our adult dc.

I had solid plans! That would take hours and that they were told about before arrival. These are not the same type of scenarios that you’re referring to at all. There was zero benefit for them staying after I had left. Doing other things in 1 day that doesn’t involve my adult children doesn’t mean I’m a bad person despite how many different ways you insinuate or hint at it.

OP posts:
Honeyhonay · 23/06/2026 22:16

You’re leaving out whether it is also their family home or not.

Firstworldprobs · 23/06/2026 22:17

@Lilypad789Nothing you feel or want to achieve is unrealistic or u reasonable, especially with the adult child.

You just need to be more specific! Tell them exactly what you want them to do, not just what you are planning to do.

”could you start getting your stuff together, we are going out in 15 mins”

Lots of people would take the hint at “we are going out in 30 mins”, but obviously your adult child is one of many who doesn’t catch hints! Telling them kindly “time for you to make a move now please as we’re going out” is not mean or snappy at all!

We used to use songs on the radio as countdowns when mine were little… we’d say “after three more songs we will be going to get dressed”, which you could easily use:

”I’m going to drink my coffee with no interruptions for three songs, come and see me when the third song is finished”

All kind and loving and DIRECT and PRECISE. You have a lot on your shoulders. This isn’t about boundaries, it’s about feeling empowered to dish out instructions to people- which you are perfectly entitled to do!

Lilypad789 · 23/06/2026 23:28

Honeyhonay · 23/06/2026 22:16

You’re leaving out whether it is also their family home or not.

What do you mean family home? They are late 20’s, left home 5 years ago. We moved into this home 1 year ago. I’m not being obtuse I genuinely don’t know what you mean.

OP posts:
Lilypad789 · 23/06/2026 23:34

Firstworldprobs · 23/06/2026 22:17

@Lilypad789Nothing you feel or want to achieve is unrealistic or u reasonable, especially with the adult child.

You just need to be more specific! Tell them exactly what you want them to do, not just what you are planning to do.

”could you start getting your stuff together, we are going out in 15 mins”

Lots of people would take the hint at “we are going out in 30 mins”, but obviously your adult child is one of many who doesn’t catch hints! Telling them kindly “time for you to make a move now please as we’re going out” is not mean or snappy at all!

We used to use songs on the radio as countdowns when mine were little… we’d say “after three more songs we will be going to get dressed”, which you could easily use:

”I’m going to drink my coffee with no interruptions for three songs, come and see me when the third song is finished”

All kind and loving and DIRECT and PRECISE. You have a lot on your shoulders. This isn’t about boundaries, it’s about feeling empowered to dish out instructions to people- which you are perfectly entitled to do!

Edited

Thank you. I have come to the conclusion (from the helpful responses) that I wasn’t saying what they had to do, I was only saying what I needed. I am a very considerate person (despite what some people in here believe) so it is inconceivable to me that other people are just walking around living their life as they please without considering their impact on other peoples’ lives. If I’m visiting anyone (including immediate family) I’m always mindful of not impeding what they might need to do or overstaying. I realise however that not everyone is like me and that I need to be more explicit going forward. I am going to use a timer as it works for us in the house with things like bedtime. Wish me luck!

OP posts:
JillThePlantKiller · 24/06/2026 00:19

There’s a difference between setting a boundary and trying to control people. Once you can distinguish between the two it gets easier.

Boundary - what I will or will not do.
Control - what I want you to do or not do,

So in your examples, the boundary is that you’re leaving at eg 2pm. At 1.50
you’re getting your coat on, and whooshing everyone out. You’re not relying on anyone else to remember or be considerate. If they’re not ready to go, then they’re locking up because you’re gone.

cup of coffee - absolutely you’re going to get interrupted (he’s 9), “I’ll be with you when I finish my coffee”, and stick to your guns, Keep it calm, pleasant and don’t escalate. Eventually it will sink in, but it’s up to you to. maintain the discipline of the practice. Be realistic - you’ll probably need about a thousand goes before it sticks. That’s ok.

Even though it’s simple and clear cut, in practice it feels entangled when you’ve been a people pleaser, and you probably have a huge need for validation and support. This is your work to do - this is how you build discipline. You need to work on letting go of the idea that it’s other people’s fault.

You don’t need to be sharp, or mean or snappy. In fact it’s way more effective not to be. just be consistent, and a broken record. Say what you mean, mean what you say.

If you have a few minutes to yourself, try this exercise: sit still, eyes closed and don’t move for 1 minute no matter what. Ignore the itchy ear, the weird feeling in your left knee that makes you want to shuffle, the sudden certainty that you left the iron on, the email you forgot to reply to, the dentist appointment you meant to book 4 months ago. Each time you feel the urge, breathe it out. It’s a fantastic practice to help you find your edges - where you end and the world begins,

It’s not easy op. But the more you do it, the more solid become.

AnNonnyMouse3 · 24/06/2026 17:05

Odd vibe to this thread. Can’t fathom the whole tone of it

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