When "Borrowing" Goes Too Far: A Parent's Dilemma

A Mom's Worries Spark a Debate About Clothes-Sharing Boundaries

A mom's discovery that her 16-year-old son's girlfriend had kept his winter coat has sparked a heated debate about relationship boundaries. The mom, who shared her story on Reddit, thought it was no big deal when her son mentioned his girlfriend had borrowed a hoodie, but the coat was a different story.

The mom explained that she and her husband had bought the coat for their son, and it was a necessity given the cold weather in their southern town. When she picked him up from his girlfriend's house, he was wearing only a hoodie, and she realized the coat was missing. Her son nonchalantly told her that he'd given it to his girlfriend because she's the "cold one," but the mom wasn't having it.

Many commenters agreed with the mom, pointing out that there's a difference between borrowing a hoodie and keeping a winter coat. "Borrowing for the evening is different than her just keeping it," one person wrote. Others suggested that the mom should talk to her son about setting boundaries and asking for the coat back without making a big deal out of it.

Setting Boundaries in Teen Relationships

This story raises important questions about boundaries in teen relationships. While it's cute when a partner offers a jacket or hoodie, there's a difference between a casual gesture and giving away personal belongings. Here are some tips for parents navigating these situations:

• Talk to your teen about respecting personal property and setting boundaries.
• Encourage your teen to communicate with their partner about what they're comfortable sharing.
• Set clear expectations for borrowing and lending clothes or other items.

For more advice on navigating teen relationships and setting boundaries, check out People's Sourcebook or Empowering Parents.

What's Your Take?

Should the mom get her son a new coat, or should she ask for the old one back? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Dive deeper:

[How to Set Boundaries with Your Teen's Partner](meta.ai?q=How%20to%20set%20boundaries%20with%20your%20teen%39s%20partner)

[What are Healthy Relationship Boundaries for Teens?](meta.ai?q=Healthy%20relationship%20boundaries%20for%20teens)

[Teen Relationship Advice for Parents](meta.ai?q=Teen%20relationship%20advice%20for%20parents)

Image Credit: people.com