AITA for telling my sister I don’t want her and her new poly partners staying with us even though I was initially ok with just her bf?
Nestled in a serene lakeside haven, a family home buzzes with the laughter of kids and the promise of a sister’s long-awaited visit. The plan? A two-month escape for the sister and her boyfriend to soak in the tranquility of this picturesque retreat. But the idyllic scene sours when the sister drops a bombshell: she’s now in a polyamorous relationship and wants to bring three new partners along. Suddenly, a cozy family reunion feels like an overcrowded reality show.
The homeowner, a mom balancing her kids’ comfort and her own boundaries, draws a line: only the sister and her boyfriend are welcome. The sister cries foul, accusing her of prejudice against her poly lifestyle, sparking a tense standoff. Was she wrong to protect her home’s peace, or is this a fair stand against unexpected guests? Let’s dive into this family drama where boundaries and beliefs collide.
‘AITA for telling my sister I don’t want her and her new poly partners staying with us even though I was initially ok with just her bf?’
Welcoming family into your home is a gesture of love, but it comes with limits—especially when surprise guests upend the plan. The woman’s discomfort with hosting three strangers, regardless of their polyamorous dynamic, stems from a natural desire to protect her family’s space. Her sister’s push to equate this with hosting platonic college friends ignores the intimacy and duration involved—two months of group affection in shared spaces is a lot to ask.
Polyamory, while increasingly visible, remains misunderstood. A 2020 YouGov poll found only 16% of Americans view polyamory as morally acceptable, often due to unfamiliarity . The sister’s accusation of bigotry may reflect her defensiveness, but the homeowner’s unease isn’t inherently prejudiced—it’s about boundaries, not judgment. Her prior openness to her sister’s boyfriend shows she’s not closed-minded, just cautious about strangers.
Dr. Elisabeth Sheff, a polyamory expert, notes, “Introducing new partners to family requires clear communication and consent, especially in shared spaces”. The sister’s last-minute expansion of the guest list feels inconsiderate, especially during a pandemic. The homeowner could explore meeting the partners separately to build trust, but her boundary is valid.
For those facing similar family requests, experts suggest honest conversations about comfort levels and gradual introductions.
Heres what people had to say to OP:
Reddit’s serving up some spicy takes, like friends dishing over drinks about houseguest horrors.
![[Reddit User] - NTA Look, ignore for a moment the nature of their relationship. You invited 2 people to stay for 2 months, not 5. That many house guests for 2 months is going to be overwhelming for everyone.. A couple friends for spring break is completely different from 3 stranger for two months.](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/325005c-04.png)
![[Reddit User] - Poly person here. NTA. If someone was coming to stay with me and I told them they could bring their dog, but then they told me they were bringing an additional three dogs, I would say absolutely not. And I love their dogs, and I support the right to have that many dogs, but that’s an insane number of dogs to accommodate in my house.](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/325005c-06.png)
These comments bring the heat, but do they capture the full nuance of family and boundaries?
This lakeside drama highlights the tug-of-war between family ties and personal comfort. The woman’s firm boundary protects her home’s peace, but her sister’s hurt suggests a need for better communication. Could she have softened the blow with a compromise, like a shorter visit, or was her hard no the only way? If your sibling sprung surprise guests on you, how would you handle it? Jump into the comments and let’s unpack this boundary battle!
