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50 Times People Captured The Most Annoying Moments Of Living With Family (New Pics)
Interview With Expert
Love them, hate them, but you can’t ignore them, yes, we’re talking about family members. Some days, they make life feel heavenly, but then there are those relatives who can make living together…well, a bit of a challenge.
Today, we dove headfirst into the r/mildlyinfuriating subreddit to hunt for those infamous family members who somehow manage to drive everyone a little crazy. From breaking the toilet and keeping it a secret to baking the wrong cake, these posts perfectly capture the small moments that make family life…infuriating. Keep scrolling, some of these stories might just remind you of a certain relative you know all too well.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
My Mom Keeps Opening My Mail Even After I Told Her To Stop
Me and my friends from out of state made Amazon wishlists to buy Christmas gifts for each other. I woke up today to my mom scolding me for buying more stuff online (I'm trying to save for a car). I had no idea what she was talking about as I hadn't ordered anything. She shows me the items she unboxed and I recognized them as things from my wishlist. The picture is how she left it on the table. My friends and I had planned on doing a group unwrapping call over Discord as soon as we'd all gotten our gifts so we could watch each other open stuff.
This isn't the first time my mom has opened packages of mine, but I was especially upset because she'd ruined the surprise. She got mad whenever I told her again to stop opening my mail, claiming “she doesn't check the labels on every single package that comes in.” I told her she should since there was more than one person living here, and she got even more mad.
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#2
Everytime I Leave My Computer Unlocked Around My Younger Brother, This Happens
We share a room and if I forget to lock my computer, Kronk will, without fail become my wallpaper.
#3
My $300 Handmade Japanese Knife I Brought Back From Kyoto, Used By My Mom To Butcher Raw Chicken Bones
It’s totally normal to have both good and bad days with family, because when people are that close, emotions tend to run the show. Some days, they’re absolute lifesavers, the ones helping you plate dinner before guests arrive or cracking jokes that make the whole room lighter. Those moments remind you why family feels like home.
But then there are days when they test every bit of your patience. Maybe they rearrange your things, throw off your plans, or create stress when you’re already juggling too much. Family life is a constant mix of warmth, noise, and emotional weather changes. Most of us simply learn to ride the waves, even when they get choppy.
#4
Just Preparing For A Visit From My Parents
I’ve been a responsible homeowner for more than 10 years. Dad can’t help but “help”.
Andrew Keir 2 weeks ago
"Help" is when you do what the owner actually wants, not what you think they want
#5
My Dad's Currently Living With Me And Keeps Lowering My Thermostat And No, I Pay The Bills
#6
The Only Ingredient My Father Purchased For Our Potato Salad For Easter Dinner
No eggs, no celery, no herbs or onions. Only potato. Guess our family is having Potato Potalad.
Sue Denham 2 weeks ago
That can be *his* potato salad. Everyone else gets something tasty instead.
Still, everyday annoyances are one thing, real emotional strain is another. Sometimes the behavior shifts from mildly irritating to genuinely draining, the kind that wears you down a little more each day. When the atmosphere at home starts feeling heavy, it affects everything: your mood, your energy, even your sense of safety. And the numbers say a lot. In 2020, sociologist Karl Pillemer found that 1 in 4 Americans are estranged from their families, around 67 million people. That kind of distance usually isn’t impulsive; it’s a response to years of hurt or crossed boundaries. For many, stepping back becomes the only way to breathe again.
One big reason people drift from family is toxic behavior, something that rarely shows up all at once. It can be subtle at first: small jabs, dismissive remarks, or constant nitpicking that chips away at you over time. Sometimes it’s manipulation disguised as concern or guilt-tripping dressed up as advice. Before you know it, the atmosphere feels heavy every time you walk into the room. Toxic patterns build quietly, but their impact hits hard. Eventually, people withdraw not out of anger, but out of self-protection.
#7
Leave My Homemade Pizza Alone To Cool For 5 Minutes, Come Back To See One Of My Family Members Cut It
Decided to make a pizza from scratch told everybody to leave alone for 5 minutes and this is what I find. Someone send Inspector Gadget because I have a case on my hands.
#8
An Extended Family Member Broke The Toilet Seat While At A Gathering And Left Without Mentioning It To Anyone
#9
My Dad Broke My Car Door Handle And Didn't Tell Me
So my dad's car broke down so he's been using mine to get to work since I don't need it since my school is nearby. But I went with him to my aunt's and when I drove it back I learned he did this, never mentioned it.
Also to add insult to injury he smokes in my car and in the past left bottles of vodka and beers in my car (along with lots of trash) even after repeatedly asking him to stop.
A lack of support drives people apart too, and it goes far beyond financial help. Emotional support matters just as much: being heard, being understood, being treated with respect. When family members brush off your feelings or minimize your struggles, something cracks. You stop sharing your wins because they won’t celebrate them. You stop sharing your worries because they’ll only criticize. That kind of emotional distance doesn’t happen overnight; it builds from repeated disappointments. And little by little, people choose space over being dismissed.
#10
Sister Destroyed 3D Puzzle That Took 3 Months To Make
#11
Someone From My Family Sprinkles Salt All Over My Bed Once In A While
I know someone might believe that it will cleanse me from demons or somethings, but holy hell, let me lay in my bed without salt on my mattress.
Also my parents didn't believe me or gaslit me for a year. I thought I was going crazy.
#12
My Mom Burned All My Drawings
So I’ve been drawing and posting anime girls for a while now and my mom got mad about it. At least I still have previous photos. No drawing today though.
And of course, changing times play a huge role. Today, people value mental health, boundaries, and individuality more than ever. Many are unlearning old habits, like staying silent to “keep peace” or sacrificing their needs to fit into traditional roles. As people grow, they realize they don’t have to live by outdated expectations. But not everyone in the family evolves at the same pace. When new perspectives clash with old beliefs, the tension can get real.
#13
My Mom Threw Away The Covers Of My Books Because She Thinks They Look Better Without Them
They are literally being held together with tape, what part of that "looks better?" Also, why throw them away instead of just storing them somewhere?
#14
This Is Why I Hate Letting People Borrow Stuff
My mom borrowed my (nearly new) heels months ago and forgot them in her car. She found them like this today.
#15
My Future Sister-In-Law Infuriates Me So Much
Then there’s the classic clash of values. Maybe it’s career paths, parenting styles, or even basic outlooks on life. When values don’t line up, even small disagreements can become full-blown arguments. Over time, every conversation feels like stepping on a landmine. What starts as discomfort turns into constant friction. Without mutual respect, interactions become exhausting instead of supportive.
#16
My Little Brother Rearranged The Keys In Alphabetical Order
#17
I Hate My Little Brother
#18
My Dad Everytime
Beth Wheeler 2 weeks ago
If he won't use a coaster he doesn't get a drink to ruin my table with.
We also spoke to Priyanka Baid, a PhD holder and lecturer who runs a boutique in Jodhpur with her mother-in-law. She shared how family dynamics can feel especially intense for women. “As a woman, I feel some people just don’t want to see you grow in your career,” she said. The moment she started achieving more, the criticism followed. Instead of encouragement, she got suspicion and resentment. Her experience mirrors what many women live quietly: success can attract criticism from the very people expected to cheer for you.
#19
Mom "Cleaned" My Room Again, Couldn't Find My Moss For A Terrarium. 10 Minutes Later I Found The Container The Moss Was In
Mom claims she doesn't know what happened to the 30 dollars worth of moss. I guess it grew legs and walked into the wonderlands.
#20
My Mom Trashed My Room Today
She drinks, takes lots of medication, and gets mad easily.
#21
My Mom Says We Dont Have Enough Money, But I Catch Her Giving Thousands Of Dollars Monthly To A Megachurch
She added, “I’ve faced harsh criticism from some family members saying I take on too many things, like ambition is something to hide.” The negativity wasn’t occasional, it was steady and discouraging. Relatives doubted her abilities, questioned her choices, and acted like her drive was something to apologize for. She kept pushing forward, but the emotional weight of constant judgment took a toll. Eventually, she had to step back to protect her sanity. Sometimes, the people closest to you still don’t understand what growth looks like.
What hurt her most was when the criticism went after her motherhood. “They said I’m a terrible mother just because I work and follow my dreams,” she shared. Those words cut deeper than anything else. Instead of celebrating her strength, some relatives tried to shame her for wanting more out of life. But Priyanka knows ambition and motherhood aren’t enemies, they coexist in millions of women every day. Their judgment forced her to rethink which relationships were healthy for her and which weren’t worth the emotional burden.
#22
Teaching My Brother To Drive, He Forgot Which Pedal Was Which
#23
My Family Never Leaves The Washer Door Open
#24
My Little Brother Got My Playstation Account Suspended
“Some people you can talk to and reason with,” Priyanka reflected. “But others… it feels like a lost cause.” She learned that not every conversation leads somewhere meaningful. Some relatives are so rooted in their beliefs that even calm explanations bounce right off. Trying to convince them only drains energy that could be spent living life. Over time, she figured out which relationships mattered, and which ones were simply too exhausting to maintain. That clarity became her compass.
Priyanka wrapped up with a message that hits home: “At some point, you have to choose your peace. I’ve learned to cut out the toxic people and keep the ones who genuinely care.” For her, family isn’t just blood, it’s the people who show up with compassion, respect, and honesty. The ones who celebrate your wins and sit beside you in your lows. Anyone who constantly tears you down doesn’t earn that space. Her story reflects what so many quietly feel today: protecting your well-being isn’t selfish, it’s essential.
#25
My Mom Spilled Our Detergent This Morning, And This Is What I Come Home From Work To
#26
Sister Wiped My 200 Hour Platinum Game Because She Was Angry With Me. To A New Adventure, I Guess
#27
My Sister Keeps Painting Food And Glueing Fake Eyelashes To Them
While family often comes above everything, it’s still important to draw boundaries to protect your peace. Sometimes, stepping back from certain people becomes necessary simply because their behavior wears you down. These posts capture a range of slightly maddening family moments, just the kind that make you sigh, laugh, or shake your head. Got family members like these? How do you deal with them? We’d love to hear your stories!
#28
My Dad Takes Bites Out Of Cookies And Other Treats To Claim Them For "Later", And Doesn't Eat Them Later Anyways
I'm probably seems stupid to complain about, but my family has asked him not to, but still does it, even does it to the last thing in the box. He doesn't have to do that, either eat it all, or don't eat it.
David Paterson 2 weeks ago
Well, you know what to give him for Christmas then. All the cookies he hasn't finished.
#29
Family Member Gave Us A Cubby House For Free. This Is How They Dropped It Off
#30
My Mom Ate All The Icing Off Of The Cake Because She "Didn't Think Anyone Else Would Want Any Since It Was So Dry"
#31
My Sister Put Her Dirty Clothes In The Hallway Three Days Ago
I have to walk over them to get to my room.
Lost Panda 2 weeks ago
I wouldn't walk over them... I would walk on them... preferably after taking care of some cows or hogs on a rainy day...
#32
Brother Borrowed My Van For A Road Trip, Left With A Full Tank, Brought It Back Almost Empty
#33
My Mom Sold A Lot Of Items She Gifted Me Years Ago Because She Was In Debt (And Did Not Tell Me)
Just so crushing. I found out because she has Parkinson’s and ended up at the hospital with delirium. I had to go through her phone and figure out how in debt and screwed we are now and forever most likely.
#34
Bought A New Car Last Week. Mother-In-Law Takes It For One Drive Last Night
#35
My Sister Bent The Plug Of My Overpriced Headphones
#36
My Mom Ate My Clearly Labeled Food And Then Lied About It
I would like to start by saying I cook all the time. I also buy and share food all the time. She very rarely does either of those things, but whatever I can feed myself. She lets me stay rent free while I’m in college so I figure it works and I can pitch in that way. Anyways, this time I didn’t want to share so I very clearly labeled my food. I come home to eat the food I was looking forward to all day to find this is all she left me. She then tried to blame my grandpa. He has had three strokes and is 86 and does not eat that much. So I tell her I know good and well he did not eat it. I show her it was very clearly labeled “No”. She then lies again and says she didn’t see the label. There is no way she didn’t see the label.
#37
Every Time My Dad Drives My Car, A New Scratch Appears
I just got home for my fiancée's (I flew). My dad drove my car a few times during my trip just to make sure it didn't sit still for too long in the cold. Needless to say this new scratch wasn't here when I left. This isn't the first time.
#38
Someone From My Family Cut The Cake Like That
#39
I Let My Mom Live With Me And Everytime I Turn Down The Heat She Removes The Thermostat
#40
My Dad Complains That I Don’t Cook For Him. I Cook For Him. He Complains About The Food
His complaints for this were “too much sauce” and “too spicy”. He made me dump his 3/4 eaten bowl in the garbage and then went to eat some white bread with margarine.
#41
How My-23-Year Old Brother Thinks Is An Acceptable Way To Leave The Kitchen Table After The Family Asked Him To Clean It Up All Day
#42
My Father In Law Dropped Items Off At Our House After An Extended Family Trip
He got to ours place before us and, being in a rush, put our items in the garbage “to protect them from the rain.”
#43
My Little Brother Hammered My 1922 Lincoln Wheat Penny Into Oblivion
My little brother grabbed a hammer and the penny from my room, because he was mad at me for accidentally stepping on one of his toys and breaking it.
Janissary35680 2 weeks ago
🎵🎶But as the words are leaving his lips a noise comes from behind / Bang! Bang! Maxwell's silver hammer came down upon his head🎶🎵
#44
Mother And Stepfather Told Me "Take This Or You'll Have Nothing To Sleep On". Gave A Normal Mattress To My Stepfather's Son And Didn't Even Tell Me He'll Be Coming
#45
How My Sister Uses My Center Console While She Borrows My Car. I Had Kept Important Stuff In There
David Morgan 2 weeks ago (edited)
No more car for her then. A car is most people's most-valuable possssion after a home, if they are fortunate enough to own one. Possibly I take TOO much care of mine, but I simply cannot afford to just replace it on a whim, so keep it in the best condition I can. Anybody who disrespects my car disrespects me, and does not get favours done for them as a result.
#46
Mom Thinks Basement Sink Is A Portal To The Upstairs Trash Can
A lot of foot trafficked in the basement, but I'm the only one who lives down here. She likes to put trash in here and say 'just take 3 things whenever you go upstairs'. But I hardly ever pass the sink when I'm going upstairs due to the layout of the basement. Dishes and rotten food from the downstairs fridge are also dumped here. So I find myself picking up soggy and gross things usually covered in whatever dryer lint she pulled out of the of the machine as well. Waking up to this just pisses me off for some reason.
#47
My Sister Just Dumped A Bunch Of Food On My Bed
#48
Merry Christmas! I Got An Extremely Expensive Drone And My Sister's Dog Broke It When Nobody Was Watching
#49
Last Year My Mom Made A Cake For My Birthday. I Turned 28
#50
Sister Washes Her Clothes With Mine And Ruins My Laundry
I intentionally wait to do my laundry on Sundays since 1) the rest of my family do theirs on Friday and Saturday, 2) I prefer to get my laundry done all together so I’m not waiting all day for everything to be ready, and 3) I know how to take care of my clothes. Everyone in the house knows this.
So I bring everything downstairs to wash as per usual, start my first load of laundry, and head back upstairs to clean out my room. When I came back downstairs when the laundry was done, I notice that the washing machine was more full than before.
My sister chooses to put her clothes in the wash. With my clothes still in there. I’m assuming she waited until I was upstairs and threw her clothes in there, but didn’t recognize that she had a pen in her clothes.
#51
Sister Refuses To Actually Clean The Litter Room
My sister and I both have a cat, so we both take care of the cats, I do the food and water, and she does the litter boxes. She's been fussed at by our mom more than just once and she says she'll clean it then she never does, this same thing happened when I used to do the litter and she used to do the water and food bowls. She wouldn't keep those clean or feed them for half a day and it got to the point algae kept forming in their water bowl. So I offered to switch since she said I had the easier task, so we did. Well guess we can see how that turned out.
#52
Little Brother Jammed It In There And Now We Can’t Get It Out
#53
Family Left My Road Bike Outside While I Was On Vacation. It’s Now Rusted And They Can’t See What They Did Wrong
My brother also definitely rode it and abandoned it after the ride.
Kabuki Kitsune 2 weeks ago
Only rust I see, is on the chain... which if it was properly oiled and maintained... wouldn't rust.
#54
Should I Finally Respond?
I gave him $10 once, two months ago, as a one-off family favor. Since then he’s been hitting me up for $5–$6 almost every day. I told him once that I can’t do that every day, but he’s kept messaging anyway.
For the past month I haven’t replied at all, haven’t sent a dime. Just ignoring the requests. Today, he leveled up: $15.
#55
My Sister (25f) Took My Beater To Work And Sent Me This. She Won't Tell Me When It Happened Or How Long It Took For Her To Pull Over
#56
Why Can't My Mother Just Cut A Triangle Piece
Every time I bake something, she is the first one to try it. But she makes herself vertical cuts so this way she won't eat too much. And now I can't equally cut it to pieces.
#57
The Way My Family “Changes” The Toilet Paper
#58
How My Family “Washes” Non-Stick Pans
They still cook with them too. Bought a new one and it’s already getting scratches.
#59
My Sister Spams The “Pew Pew” Animation On Imessages Because She Thinks It’ll Get My Attention
#60
I Look Away For A Minute. Little Brother Throws Phone Off Balcony And Onto Concrete
#61
I Wash Dishes, And My Mom And Younger Brother Decided To Bake. This Was What They Left
#62
My Brother's (That Lives In The Same House) Attitude
Bewitched One 2 weeks ago
Because she isn’t there and you are, and mom is OBVIOUSLY not checking her phone? Lol
#63
My Sister Ate All The Strawberry In My Tub Of Neapolitan Ice Cream
When I confronted her about it, she just said strawberry was the only one she wanted at the time. I told her she segregated my ice cream, and also there was a tub of strawberry ice cream right next to this one.
#64
My Step Dad Was Asked To Put Onions On The Sliders
#65
Family Member Likes To Keep Old Coffee Pods To Reuse, But Then Never Reuses Them
#66
Father Thinks These Socks Are Still In Usable Condition
My 74 year old father is a bit old fashioned and likes to get his monies-worth from his clothes. But for the life of me, I cannot see the point in using socks that literally have 50% of their sole missing.
When asked; he says that 'I like these ones because they are loose fitting and comfortable'. I have tried to explain that we could quite easily get him 'loose fitting' socks that in fact have complete soles and would probably be more usable. He doesn't agree.
What is even more strange is he literally has dozens of pairs of new socks waiting to be worn that people and family have bought him.
#67
My Dad Threw Away My School Project Poster
#68
Whenever We Put Utensils In The Dishwasher My Family Keeps Putting The Knives Facing Upwards
#69
My Family Never Cleans The Lint Trap
#70
My Dad (Who Says Hes On A Diet) Found The Chocolates I Was Gifted By A Coworker (My Mom Put Them Somewhere So Even I Forgot About Them)
#71
My Sister Takes Out The Stuff From Oreo Double Stuf And Throws Them Away
#72
My Sister Drew On My Chair
#73
My Sister Thought These Mangas Were Coloring Books
#74
My Sister Asked Her Husband To Watch Her Dinner While She Went For A Run. Brush’s In Trouble Now
Ace 2 weeks ago (edited)
I loved the Reddit comments on this. I had no idea what it was supposed to be, neither did they. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ "What was it? Some kind of meatloaf?". . . . . . . . . . ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ "Was supposed to be chicken enchiladas. Now it is dried schmuck!". ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ "Black olives on enchiladas? I think he may have let it die on purpose".
#75
My Little Sister
Kabuki Kitsune 2 weeks ago
Hate to say it, but after fighting with these bags, and having an inordinate number of them have the "resealable" section be welded shut at the factory... I can't blame her.
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Tele Avision 2 weeks ago
My Step-Dad once told me, friends come and go but family is forever. I spent the rest of my life getting as far away from my family as possible.
David Morgan 2 weeks ago
Some are personal style differences and are acceptable. Some are petty, deliberate vandalism. Not OK. Some are pure laziness and disrespect. Not OK.
Wonnie-Cookie713 2 weeks ago
Sometimes a family can be a$$holes. Story: my dad was a control freak and wanted me to be a doctor. No. Just no. I wanted to be a K-pop idol, and thankfully, I escaped him and now got accepted as a trainee.
Farah (she/her) 2 weeks ago (edited)
REALLY????? OMG CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When you debut (hopefully very soon) I'll be the first stan (bit curious - what entertainment u under?) Also not as cool as u lol but I got accepted into a babymon rep group where we do babymon covers (i'm doing Rami's parts in songs. Ik, not as cool as a real trainee, but its smth that im proud of :P)
Load More Replies...
Crissy Newbury 2 weeks ago
Why are there so many disgusting people in this world? How can they live like that?
Parmeisan 2 weeks ago
Good idea for a thread, even a bit cathartic. But I can't keep going, I am getting too angry!
velocirrober 2 weeks ago
I started reading at a very young age. My great uncle was a teacher, so he started giving me all kinds of grade school textbooks (in Mexico), which I loved. One day, arriving from school, I saw the kids from my street grab something from a box outside of my house and walk away. My parents decided to throw away my books!! I had been doing the exercises since I was three. This happened almost 50 years ago, and I still wish I had my books.
Chich the witch 2 weeks ago
Simple fix to this. A) Move to the other coast. B) Call home every once in a while. C) Hang up and thank the gods you now live on the other coast.
Tele Avision 2 weeks ago
My Step-Dad once told me, friends come and go but family is forever. I spent the rest of my life getting as far away from my family as possible.
David Morgan 2 weeks ago
Some are personal style differences and are acceptable. Some are petty, deliberate vandalism. Not OK. Some are pure laziness and disrespect. Not OK.
Wonnie-Cookie713 2 weeks ago
Sometimes a family can be a$$holes. Story: my dad was a control freak and wanted me to be a doctor. No. Just no. I wanted to be a K-pop idol, and thankfully, I escaped him and now got accepted as a trainee.
Farah (she/her) 2 weeks ago (edited)
REALLY????? OMG CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When you debut (hopefully very soon) I'll be the first stan (bit curious - what entertainment u under?) Also not as cool as u lol but I got accepted into a babymon rep group where we do babymon covers (i'm doing Rami's parts in songs. Ik, not as cool as a real trainee, but its smth that im proud of :P)
Load More Replies... Crissy Newbury 2 weeks ago
Why are there so many disgusting people in this world? How can they live like that?
Parmeisan 2 weeks ago
Good idea for a thread, even a bit cathartic. But I can't keep going, I am getting too angry!
velocirrober 2 weeks ago
I started reading at a very young age. My great uncle was a teacher, so he started giving me all kinds of grade school textbooks (in Mexico), which I loved. One day, arriving from school, I saw the kids from my street grab something from a box outside of my house and walk away. My parents decided to throw away my books!! I had been doing the exercises since I was three. This happened almost 50 years ago, and I still wish I had my books.
Chich the witch 2 weeks ago
Simple fix to this. A) Move to the other coast. B) Call home every once in a while. C) Hang up and thank the gods you now live on the other coast.
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