24-year-old artist turns guest room into painting studio, parents throw a fit when she books them a hotel instead of hosting them during a last-minute visit: "Family should be more important than your hobby"

Author image for Ely Bulnes
Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
May 11, 2025 5:00 PM EDT

Ahoy, there, internet-surfin' sisters. If there are any artists in the room, you'll know that being a full-time artist is incredibly difficult. While it's certainly hard enough to market yourself and sell art regularly, it is also incredibly difficult to stay inspired and find the will to make art sometimes. You either have to be in a completely stable place mentally or totally going through the most difficult period of your life. In any case, it certainly helps in terms of productivity to have a dedicated place to get into flow with no distractions. 

In our story today, a young artist turns her guest room into the studio space that she needs in order to tap into her inner creativity more regularly. The only guests she ever gets are her parents – and they only visit twice a year or so. Considering she's willing to pay for a hotel for them, it shouldn't be a problem, right? Wrong. Scroll down below to read every detail in this juicy story. 

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  • 01

    AITAH for turning our guest room into my art studio right before my parents' visit?

    Cheezburger Image 10504137472
    via Floral Deco

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    I (34F) finally converted our spare bedroom into the art studio I've always wanted after years of creating at our dining table. The space has been life-changing for my creativity - I've completed more pieces in the past month than in the previous three combined. My husband fully supports this decision and helped me set everything up.
    via u/khoi66
  • 03
    My parents, who visit from across the country twice yearly, just announced they're coming in two weeks and expected to stay in that room like usual. I have several projects in progress that would be difficult to move, and I've finally found a creative rhythm after years of stopping and starting.
    via u/khoi66
  • 04
    Cheezburger Image 10504136704
    via eclipse_images

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 05
    When I offered to book them a nice hotel a block away at our expense, my dad said "family should be more important than your hobby" and my mom felt like we were "stashing them away." They're welcome at our place all day every day, and the hotel is literally a 5-minute walk, but they're still upset. AITAH for not wanting to disrupt my workspace for their week-long visit?
    via u/khoi66

  • Well, I certainly don't think that disparaging her passion by calling it a simple hobby is a way to get what you want. 

  • 06
    HOTEL
    via Terroa

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 07
    minimalist_coach NTA. "They just announced they're coming in two weeks" is a really big clue that they don't treat you like an adult or respect your autonomy.
    via u/minimalist_coach
  • 08
    People don't get to announce that they will be taking over part of your home. They need to ask if the time they'd like to visit works for you and if you can accommodate them. The operative word is "ask" which also means you have the option to say no.
    via u/minimalist_coach
  • 09
    A simple "I'm sorry, I no longer have a guest room, but I'd love to set you up in a place just a short walk away" is a very generous offer. I'm assuming they don't pay your mortgage so they don't get to choose how you use the spaces in your home.
    via u/minimalist_coach
  • 10
    Teagana999 And exceedingly generous of OP to offer to pay for a hotel, they absolutely don't need to do that.
    via u/Teagana999
  • 11
    Vintage_Chameleon NTA. Hold your boundaries.
    via u/Vintage_Chameleon
  • 12
    HorrorLover Don't give in to their demands. Your space, your rules.
    via u/HorrorLover
  • 13
    moramiley NTA, it's your house and your room so do whatever it is that makes you happy, your partner supports you and you've still offered to put them in a hotel for their stay
    via u/moramiley
  • 14
    Pride of Capetown Are they paying part of your mortgage or rent? Utilities? No? Then they can't dictate how you use your space
    via u/PrideCapetown
  • 15
    TheGlasborough Dragon Even THEN, a certain baseline level of respect is NECESSARY!
    via u/TheGlasborough
  • 16
    stacyclassix Agreed. It's your house so do what you want, I never got the whole "we'll just stay with you" shtick. When I'm visiting someone I book my own hotel.
    via u/stacyclassix
  • 17
    NTA Fanky_Spamble It was super ride of them to give you such short notice and expect a room in your home to be available for them. Offer to put up a tent in your yard if they want to be that close.
    via u/Fanky_Spamble
  • 18
    HappyHiker2381 One time we went on a family road trip across the country, my parents brought a tent in case we camped along the way. We never used it so when we got to my aunt's house they set it up in the back yard and slept out there. Haha
    via u/HappyHiker2381
  • 19
    nemc222 NTA. I don't understand why people get so offended by hotels. I love going back to my own space in the evening.
    via u/nemc222
  • 20
    Cheezburger Image 10504136960
    via Dimensions

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 21
    BadPom I love hotels. So much. A pool, hot tub and possibly free breakfast? Heck yes. Much needed away time from whoever we're visiting and something to wear the kids out after the drive.
    via u/BadPom
  • 22
    Tythatguy1312 NTA, it's on them for not only not telling you ahead of time but demanding to stay in your home without on your hobby is the icing on consent. Them the cake of their behaviour.
    via u/Tythatguy1312
  • 23
    Familiar_Raise234 They announced they were coming? They weren't invited? Sheesh. Talk about entitled. Tell them they will stay at a hotel if they come. You no longer have a guest room. If they show up anyway, make sure there is not bed in there for them and say I told you we no longer have a guest room.
    via u/Familiar_Raise234
  • 24
    ΝΤΑ 7625607 You offered to pay. Keep your art room and don't feel bad about it.
    via u/7625607

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family drama entitled parents art AITAH artist wife married life relationships parenting husband couples love family daughter Reddit parents
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