Breakups after a long relationship are often so messy and unpleasant that some couples just stay together long past the time they really should have split. Normally, you’d rely on friends and family to help you get through this, but what if someone close to you just kept hanging out with your ex?
A man asked the internet if he was wrong for threatening to uninvite his mom from his wedding when she kept refusing to cut off his ex-girlfriend who was making his life hell. He later gave some examples of this in the comments and readers shared their thoughts and suggestions on how to handle these sorts of boundaries.
Most folks would expect the support of their family during a breakup
Image credits: Candice Picard / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
But one man had to give his mother an ultimatum when she insisted on inviting his ex places
Image credits: Febe Vanermen / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Kajetan Sumila / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Julia M Cameron / Pexels (not the actual photo)
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Image credits: Kindel Media / Pexels (not the actual photo)
Creating and enforcing boundaries with parents is not easy
As you approach adulthood, it can feel like the connection you share with your parents is suddenly shifting under your feet. You adore them, but you realize that some requests, expectations, or conversations no longer apply to the person you’ve become. Establishing new boundaries, around your time, your decisions, your privacy, can feel awkward or even treacherous. And when your parents refuse to change, having a fight back with guilt trips or what-abouts regarding how they “raised you,” tension builds.
Begin by becoming clear to yourself regarding exactly what you need: perhaps it’s control over your finances, autonomy to choose your own partner, or the power to turn down guests when your schedule is full. Avoid jumping into a fight before taking time to sort out, even jotting down some notes about specific events that have left you feeling agitated. This enables you to speak from a place of clarity rather than frustration.
When you are ready, choose a calm time to share your feelings. You might say, “I enjoy spending time with you guys, and I’d like our relationship to remain healthy, but sometimes when you ask where I’m going or call me unexpectedly, I get overwhelmed.” Stating what you feel and relating it to certain behaviors lets parents know this is not an attack but an attempt at harmony.
Image credits: Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels (not the actual photo)
It’s important to be consistent
Eventually, either of them will bristle, reminding you of sacrifices they’ve made or your childhood reliance. Listen patiently, acknowledging their love and good intentions: “I know you’re anxious because you care about me. I value all that you have done.” And then tactfully reassert your own needs: “Now, I need to manage my own schedule, and advance notice gives me the mental space to enjoy our calls.” Consistency is everything. If you’ve committed to three surprise calls per week, then politely decline or deflect the fourth one by saying, “I’m working now; can we speak tonight?” If they enter your space or property, politely remind them to knock first: “I’d appreciate it if you knocked before coming into my room or using my things.” Reasserting these boundaries over time, without anger or apology, teaches your parents how to treat you now that you’re a grownup.”.
There can be backsliding: a guilt-trip threatening parent, “After everything I’ve done, you won’t even let me visit?” At that moment, don’t feel the need to explain or argue. Simply affirm your boundary: “I love having you visit, but I need us to book them in advance so I can work them in.” Then shift the conversation or hang up politely if they persist. There will be days when you’ll be uneasy, and you’ll be fearful of hurting them. But love is accommodating. If you hold firm, yet remain not unfriendly and ungrateful, you give your parents the gift of an adult relationship based on respect. They may eventually complain less and realize that your lines are not fences, but carefully crafted doorways through which your relationship can still grow.
Many thought he was being reasonable
Some thought Adriana had some points
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WTAF? What adult wants to go to someone’s little brother’s school event? They’re not all that exciting even when it’s your *own* little brother, but she’s gotta go to her ex’s little brother’s event? Let’s face facts: she has NO interest in watching little bro compete; she only wants to be there to irritate her ex. Likewise the friendship with mom. What early-20s kid wants to hang around with someone else’s folks? Adriasshole’s doing this ONLY to get near her ex in hopes he’ll “see the light” and get back with her because she’s unhinged and thinks she still has a chance. If she *ever* did, she’s killed it now with her stupid and vile behavior. Dumb b***h broke it off thinking OP would go “Oh, noes! What have I done? Eff my career; let’s get married right this minute, babe!” and then was shocked that that didn’t happen and is trying to show him what he’s missing out on. Luckily, most people aren’t into pyschobitches, and OP sure ain’t one of ‘em, as his head seems firmly screwed on.
NTA. Yes OP moved faster with his fiancé that he had with Adrianna, but I bet his fiancé wasn't pushing him to do things he didn't wanted just like Adrianna did. If Adrianna wanted to get married she could ask herself of wait. She chose to breakup and that's her right, and she obviously still hasn't moved on, but that doesn't excuse the attitude she now has with OP and his fiancé. As for the mother, yes she has a right to chose her friendships, but she also has to face the consequences of those choices. Adrianna is clearly very resentful. She spilled her drink on OP's fiancé, messed with his workplace, damaged his car... If the mother isn't able to see how more messed up it could become or still choose to keep Adrianna close to the family, then OP has every right to cut her off.
Every time I read one of these stories where ex dumped OP because they didn’t propose fast enough (often because they have a plan to get married and have babies by a certain age), I think “You’ve now got to date, find the right guy, get proposed to quickly…. And rushing a relationship will surely have more chance of divorce.”
Load More Replies...I just don't understand mom's thinking here - she's friends with a woman several decades younger that is maliciously harassing her son and pregnant fiancee? At this point, even though she cut Adrianna off, I would be very wary of her judgment. What if OP leaves the baby with her and she decides to invite Adrianna, who "accidentally" does sth to the baby? Mom's relationship with Maddie is forever tainted but OP still has blinders on and thinks it's all going to be ok now.
WTAF? What adult wants to go to someone’s little brother’s school event? They’re not all that exciting even when it’s your *own* little brother, but she’s gotta go to her ex’s little brother’s event? Let’s face facts: she has NO interest in watching little bro compete; she only wants to be there to irritate her ex. Likewise the friendship with mom. What early-20s kid wants to hang around with someone else’s folks? Adriasshole’s doing this ONLY to get near her ex in hopes he’ll “see the light” and get back with her because she’s unhinged and thinks she still has a chance. If she *ever* did, she’s killed it now with her stupid and vile behavior. Dumb b***h broke it off thinking OP would go “Oh, noes! What have I done? Eff my career; let’s get married right this minute, babe!” and then was shocked that that didn’t happen and is trying to show him what he’s missing out on. Luckily, most people aren’t into pyschobitches, and OP sure ain’t one of ‘em, as his head seems firmly screwed on.
NTA. Yes OP moved faster with his fiancé that he had with Adrianna, but I bet his fiancé wasn't pushing him to do things he didn't wanted just like Adrianna did. If Adrianna wanted to get married she could ask herself of wait. She chose to breakup and that's her right, and she obviously still hasn't moved on, but that doesn't excuse the attitude she now has with OP and his fiancé. As for the mother, yes she has a right to chose her friendships, but she also has to face the consequences of those choices. Adrianna is clearly very resentful. She spilled her drink on OP's fiancé, messed with his workplace, damaged his car... If the mother isn't able to see how more messed up it could become or still choose to keep Adrianna close to the family, then OP has every right to cut her off.
Every time I read one of these stories where ex dumped OP because they didn’t propose fast enough (often because they have a plan to get married and have babies by a certain age), I think “You’ve now got to date, find the right guy, get proposed to quickly…. And rushing a relationship will surely have more chance of divorce.”
Load More Replies...I just don't understand mom's thinking here - she's friends with a woman several decades younger that is maliciously harassing her son and pregnant fiancee? At this point, even though she cut Adrianna off, I would be very wary of her judgment. What if OP leaves the baby with her and she decides to invite Adrianna, who "accidentally" does sth to the baby? Mom's relationship with Maddie is forever tainted but OP still has blinders on and thinks it's all going to be ok now.


























































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