WIBTA if I covered my doorknob in glitter to keep my sister out?

Jonathan Hours
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A sparkly roll of craft tape might just be a 17-year-old’s secret weapon against her pesky younger sister. Frustrated by her 13-year-old sibling’s constant invasions of her room—swiping clothes, makeup, and more—this Reddit user hatched a plan to cover her doorknob with glittery tape, banking on her sister’s glitter phobia to keep her out. With talks failing and parents nixing a lock, the OP sees this as her last stand for privacy.

This WIBTA post glimmers with sibling rivalry and ingenious problem-solving. Reddit’s cheering for the glitter gambit, but is it a brilliant move or a petty prank? Let’s dive into this shiny saga, where boundaries and sparkles collide.

‘WIBTA if I covered my doorknob in glitter to keep my sister out?’

A teen’s quest to protect her personal space led to a glittery scheme to outsmart her sister. Here’s the Reddit user’s story in their own words:

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I (17F) am having an ongoing issue with my younger sister (13F), and I’m considering a slightly unconventional solution to address it. My sister has an intense dislike for glitter—she absolutely cannot stand it. If she sees even a single speck of glitter on something, she refuses to touch it, gets visibly uncomfortable, and won’t calm down until it’s completely out of her sight.

It’s not just a mild preference; it’s almost like a phobia for her. The problem is that she also has a frustrating habit of going into my room whenever I’m not home. She takes or uses my things without asking—everything from my clothes and makeup to my books and electronics. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve come home to find my stuff misplaced, used, or even damaged.

I’ve tried talking to her about it multiple times, calmly explaining that my room is my personal space and that I’d like her to ask for permission before taking anything. She either brushes it off with a giggle or promises to stop, but then goes right back to doing it. Typical sibling behavior, I know, but it’s been going on for months, and it’s starting to wear me down.

I’ve brought this up with our parents, hoping they’d step in or at least allow me to put a lock on my door to prevent her from going in. Unfortunately, they’ve given me a firm no on the lock, saying it’s “unnecessary” and that we should “work it out as siblings.” I get that they want us to resolve conflicts ourselves, but it feels like I’m out of options since talking hasn’t worked, and I don’t have their support for a more direct solution.

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Recently, while shopping at a craft store, I came across some glittery craft tape. It’s basically regular adhesive tape, but the non-sticky side is covered in bright, sparkly glitter. When I saw it, I had an idea: what if I covered my doorknob with this tape? Since my sister hates glitter so much, I figured it might be an effective way to deter her from entering my room without permission.

It’s not a lock, but it could act as a barrier she’d be too uncomfortable to cross. The tape is removable, so it wouldn’t damage the doorknob, and it seems like a harmless way to protect my space. However, I’m second-guessing myself and wondering if this would make me the asshole.

On one hand, I feel justified because I’ve tried everything else—talking to her, asking our parents for help, and setting clear boundaries—but nothing has worked. This glitter tape idea feels like a creative, non-confrontational way to solve the problem without escalating things into a bigger fight. On the other hand, I worry that it might come across as petty or passive-aggressive.

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I don’t want to upset my sister or make her feel targeted, but I also want to feel secure in my own room. Plus, there’s a chance my parents might think I’m being childish or stirring up drama if they find out. So, WIBTA if I covered my doorknob with glitter tape to keep my sister out of my room? I’m open to other suggestions for dealing with this, too, because I’m honestly at my wit’s end.

This glittery doorknob drama shines a light on sibling dynamics and the struggle for personal boundaries in shared spaces. The OP’s sister’s disregard for her privacy, despite repeated requests, is a common issue among teens, exacerbated by the parents’ refusal to allow a lock. The glitter tape idea, while unconventional, is a non-violent attempt to enforce boundaries using the sister’s known aversion.

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Dr. Laura Markham, a parenting expert, notes, “Teens crave autonomy, and violations of personal space can erode trust between siblings” (Source). The sister’s behavior suggests a lack of respect for boundaries, possibly testing limits typical of her age. A 2022 Journal of Family Psychology study found that 65% of teens report sibling conflicts over personal belongings, often unresolved without parental mediation (Source).

This ties to broader issues of privacy and creative conflict resolution. The glitter tape is removable and harmless, but risks escalating sibling tension if seen as targeted. Advice: The OP could pair the tape with a direct conversation, saying, “I need my space respected, and this tape is to remind you.” She could also propose a family meeting to revisit the lock issue, emphasizing her need for privacy. Alternative deterrents, like a motion-sensor alarm, might work without glitter’s mess.

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Here’s how people reacted to the post:

Reddit sprinkled some sparkly support, with users glittering with enthusiasm for the OP’s plan. Here’s what the community had to say about this sibling standoff:

saltierthangoldfish − NTA - This is a non-permanent, non-violent solution to a problem.. edit: holy s**t 5k, thanks y’all.

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elburcho − NTA - Modern problems require modern solutions.

BessertQween725 − NTA. As long as it doesn’t create a mess for your parents to clean up.

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ilikerelish − NTA. You could semi-permanently decopage your door handle with glitter and shelac so that you don't have to deal with the gummy adhesive on the tape getting dirty and gross after a while of use. Bonus, you should have plenty of glitter left over from that project to make several glitter bombs to place in those items that she keeps 'borrowing' without permission.

Probably the best choice for keeping her out of your room would be to create a static charge on the door handle, then carefully sprinkle actual glitter on it. The static will hold it on the handle until she tries to open it, at which point the moisture of her hand will be stickier than the static, and it will become stuck to her hand.

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All you need is the internet and a tube of glitter, for that, no 5 dollar a roll tape, or permanent mod to the knob. Best yet.. still plenty of glitter for glitter bombs as a backup. It really is crafting store herpes.. It gets everywhere and is impossible to get rid of. When you think it is gone, you'll still find pieces.

Rega_lazar − NTA. At 13 she should already know that no means no. Put as much glitter on that doorknob as humanly possible and then add a little more just because! (And update us on how it goes)

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[Reddit User] − NTA do it. do it now.

alaskan_sloth − NTA, but why no lock?

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BOCme262 − NTA - But what's stopping her from just using a napkin or something to open the door?

[Reddit User] − Just get a lock....glitter will be all over u, forever.

elusivemoniker − Why just the handle? I would set up Glittery decorations inside your doorframe so if she does go into your room she's surrounded by glitter. Or instead of water, set up a bucket full of glitter to pour out .. Does your sister have any other peculiarities or is the glitter thing it?

These Reddit gems shine bright, but do they overlook potential fallout or parental reactions? Is glitter the ultimate deterrent or a spark for more drama?

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This glittery tale of a teen’s fight for privacy sparkles with creativity but glints with potential pitfalls. The OP’s plan to use her sister’s glitter phobia as a room-saving tactic won Reddit’s applause, but could it backfire as petty or provocative? Was it a stroke of genius or a shiny misstep? Have you faced sibling invasions or found quirky ways to set boundaries? Toss your thoughts below and keep the convo dazzling!

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