Brothers Daughter Uses Special Puzzle Pens Without Permission - AITA?

AITA for getting upset when my brother's daughter used my special puzzle pens? Tensions rise over boundaries and respect for personal belongings.

Damjan

Published in Interesting
17 Nov 2025

Brothers Daughter Uses Special Puzzle Pens Without Permission - AITA?

In the complex world of family dynamics, a seemingly small incident can sometimes spiral into a significant conflict. In this case, a Reddit user recounts a board game night that quickly turned sour due to a disagreement over boundaries and respect for personal belongings.

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The night began with lighthearted games shared with her brother, Liam, and his young daughter, Mila. However, the atmosphere shifted when Mila, out of curiosity, began using her aunt's cherished puzzle pens without permission.

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The Redditor found herself in a frustrating situation when Liam dismissed her concerns, viewing Mila's actions as innocent exploration rather than a breach of boundaries. This led to a heated argument that left both parties feeling upset and disrespected.

The poster grapples with the question of whether her reaction was justified, opening the floor for Redditors to weigh in on the matter. As family members, we often navigate the delicate balance between understanding a child's curiosity and maintaining personal boundaries.

The comments reveal a spectrum of perspectives, as users discuss the nuances of parenting, respect, and the importance of communication in family relationships. Join the conversation and share your thoughts on where the line should be drawn when it comes to respecting personal space and belongings in a family setting.

Original Post

So I'm (30F) and I recently had a quiet board game night with my brother Liam (35M) and his daughter Mila (3F). After the games, I started working on a special puzzle with my unique pens that I cherish.

Mila became curious and started using my pens on her coloring book without asking. When I politely asked Liam to intervene and stop her, he brushed me off, saying it was fine and she was just a child exploring.

This dismissal led to a heated argument, ruining the whole evening. I felt disrespected for not being taken seriously and for my belongings not being valued.

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I understand she's a child, but I expected my brother to respect my boundaries. Now, tensions are high between us.

So AITA? I honestly don't know if I overreacted here.