I read a story on Reddit about a 22-year-old guy who’s back living with his parents after college. They’re hosting a New Year’s party at their rural four-bedroom New Jersey home, and two of their friends, “the Lesters,” are coming down from Maine to stay the weekend. The issue? Every time the Lesters visit, his parents insist they stay in his bedroom without asking him first.
His parents argue that since the Lesters are older (in their 60s), they shouldn’t have to sleep on a couch or an air mattress. For context, his parents have a king-sized bed, while his sister (24F) has a twin in her smaller room. The spare bedroom also has only a twin bed. His room, with its queen-sized bed, has become the default option for the Lesters.
This year, the guy pushed back, leading to a big fight. He and his sister both feel it’s unfair for him to be displaced simply because his bed is more comfortable. His parents, however, refuse to budge, insisting the arrangement is non-negotiable.
Frustrated, he’s considering finding somewhere else to stay for the weekend to avoid the whole situation. While he acknowledges this isn’t the biggest problem in the world, he’s curious whether Reddit would agree with him or side with his parents.
“NTA. It’s your bedroom, and your parents shouldn’t keep offering it up without consulting you. Being older doesn’t entitle the Lesters to take over someone else’s space.”
“If your parents are that concerned, they should offer their own king-sized bed and sleep elsewhere. That’s what being a good host looks like.”
“You’re being reasonable. If they want to host, they need to plan accommodations that don’t involve uprooting you from your own home.”
This story raises an interesting point about hospitality and boundaries. Should hosts prioritize the comfort of their guests at the expense of their own family members, or is it time to rethink these kinds of arrangements?