Minecraft Bedroom, Sleepover Request, And Ex — This Mom’s Boundaries Sparked Heated Debate
One bedroom makeover. One hard no. Plenty of fallout.
A 33-year-old Reddit user shares a six-year-old son with her ex, and the two split more than two years ago. They don’t get along and keep communication strictly about their child, which is exactly how she prefers it.
Her ex is now dating a woman with three kids, but the OP has barely met her and has never met the children. She only knows their names from her son’s stories and a single birthday card they signed.
Recently, her son got a Minecraft-themed bedroom makeover and proudly told everyone about it. He even hosted his cousin for a sleepover, so the idea of overnight guests isn’t totally off-limits.
That’s why the OP was surprised when her ex asked if two of his stepchildren could sleep over at her house. She immediately said no, explaining she isn’t comfortable hosting kids she doesn’t know.
She told her ex she wouldn’t even allow her son’s close friends to stay overnight yet, let alone strangers. Taking responsibility for unfamiliar children in her home just wasn’t happening.
Her ex pushed back, saying she knows him and that the kids are siblings who should bond. That argument didn’t help his case, and she pointed out they already share a home during his parenting time.
Things escalated when he accused her of being cruel and “excluding” the kids from the Minecraft room. She calmly suggested he make his own Minecraft room if it mattered that much.
Importantly, her son accepted the no without protest and enjoys seeing his stepsiblings at his dad’s house. Now the Redditor is wondering if she’s being reasonable, or if the internet thinks she crossed a line.
The OP calmly explained that she isn’t comfortable hosting kids she doesn’t know.
AI-generated imageHere's the original post by Reddit user 'Throwaway48642345'.
(Customary: Throwaway + English is not my first language) I (33f) have a son (6) with my ex (35m). We split up over two years ago. We didn't end our relationship on good terms and we only communicate about child-related things. I don't know much about his personal life outside of basic info- he's dating a woman I only met once.She has three kids I've never met. I only know their names thanks to my child's stories and a single birthday card they'd signed for my child. I don't even know their exact ages, all I know is that they're in primary school, but are older than my kid (so they're between 7-11y/o). I am more than happy with this arrangement too. That's why I am very confused by their request to have two of the stepsiblings over for a sleepover. Background- my child just had his room renovated and evidently bragged about his Minecraft room. He's already had his cousin (my ex's nephew) for a sleepover too, so it's clear that we don't mind the general idea of sleepovers.When my ex mentioned this idea of me hosting his step kids, I immediately shot it down. I am only comfortable hosting our nephew (I know him and his parents very well). I don't even consider letting my child's closest friends stay overnight just yet. Why would I let strangers sleep in my house? I don't know their mother, I don't know them. I don't feel comfortable taking responsibility for those kids. My ex argued that I know him (safe to say- that argument made me even less inclined to cave LOL) and that the kids are now siblings so it's good for them to have those experiences together. I responded saying that they already have the experience of sleeping under the same roof when my kid is with his dad.My ex called me cruel for causing a division between the siblings since the steps are not even allowed to experience sleeping in the Minecraft room (I am not too sure what that even means- it's just a room). I told my ex that I'm happy to share some tips and tricks if he decides to turn one of his own rooms into a Minecraft room to give the kids the experience of sleeping in one. Just to add- my son knows my opinion on sleepovers. Once I told him *no*, he didn't push this idea any further. He is happy to see his stepsiblings when he's at his dad's. AITA?Here's what the Reddit community had to say about it.
Reddit u/Odd_Scar836
They just want free babysitting.
Reddit u/DinohKitteh
The room is just an excuse.
Reddit u/RemoteViewingLife
NTA.
Reddit u/Elegant_Tea_6973
It will never end if you let him get away with it.
Reddit u/chocolatechipwizard
It's not your job to entertain them.
Reddit u/Anonymotron42
Your house, your rules.
Reddit u/duckieglow
He should have asked you first.
Reddit u/oldbagofasphalt
Stand your ground.
Reddit u/Iowasunsets
They aren't his step-siblings!
Reddit u/molocooks
What's next?
Reddit u/BenedictineBaby
He's hoping it will become a regular thing.
Reddit u/murphy2345678
Does your son even want this?
Reddit u/Aggressive-Key-5533
Don't budge on this one.
Reddit u/flotiste
At the end of the day, the Redditor says this isn’t about favoritism or Minecraft-themed jealousy — it’s about comfort, boundaries, and knowing who she’s responsible for in her own home. What are your thoughts? Is she simply setting reasonable limits, or did she go too far by drawing a hard line on this sleepover request?