Am I Wrong for Not Folding My Sons Boyfriends Laundry?

AITAH for not folding my son's boyfriend's laundry? Opinions are divided on who's in the wrong in this household laundry situation - find out more!

Damjan

Published in Interesting
23 Dec 2025

Am I Wrong for Not Folding My Sons Boyfriends Laundry?

In a world where boundaries can often blur, one Reddit user faces a dilemma that many can relate to: navigating the complexities of shared living arrangements with adult children and their partners. The original poster, a 48-year-old single mother of two young men, finds herself in a precarious situation with her eldest son's boyfriend, who lives with her and her sons.

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This 21-year-old has developed a habit of folding the OP's laundry without her consent, leading to rising tensions and questions about respect and personal space. As the OP juggles her work-from-home schedule and the demands of domestic life, she feels overwhelmed by the expectation that she reciprocate by folding laundry for her son's boyfriend.

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While the boyfriend insists it's merely a matter of courtesy, the OP is clear that her laundry habits differ significantly and that she prefers to manage her clothes her own way. This has sparked a heated debate about personal responsibilities and the dynamics of living under one roof.

The comment section is buzzing with opinions, ranging from suggestions to set firm boundaries to calls for the boyfriend to reconsider his role in this household. As we dive into this discussion, it raises crucial questions about autonomy, respect, and the challenges of cohabitation.

What do you think - should the OP take a stand, or is there a middle ground to be found? Let's explore the nuances of this situation together!

Original Post

I (48f) and a single mom of two adult men (ages 20 and 24). My eldest's boyfriend (21m) lives with us.

My son and his boyfriend often do their laundry together. My son's boyfriend prefers that their laundry be folded right out of the dryer, where I usually put mine back in my laundry basket and fold it in my room.

I work from home, so I do my laundry when I'm on a break and fold it when I'm on another break. I don't really have the time to fold it right out of the dryer.

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If my laundry is still in the dryer when the boys need to put theirs in, my son's boyfriend will fold my clothes and h**g up my t-shirts, though my skirts and dresses are put in a pile on the dryer (I'm guessing he doesn't know what to do with them). I hate when he does this because 1.

I don't like my t-shirts hung up (leading me to have to take the extra time to unhang them). 2.

I am picky about how I fold my clothes, so I have to refold everything anyway. I get that these are me problems, but still.

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If I need the dryer and their clothes are in it, I just put it in their laundry basket because I'm short on time. Often, my son's boyfriend will complain that I don't fold their clothes for them when I need the dryer.

He says, "I fold your laundry, you could at least return the favor." I've explained that I'm usually short on time and I don't even fold my own laundry right out of the dryer, but he still thinks it's rude that I won't do it. He acts like I'm a jerk for putting his clothes in his hamper.

They'll sometimes leave their clothes in the dryer for a few days, so I don't think it's because he wants to avoid wrinkles. He just prefers to fold them right out of the dryer.

AITA?