16-year-old forced to give up bedroom for 6-year-old nephew's visit but refuses to remove "scary" posters, internet helps him find a middle ground: 'I'm not ripping down a permanent poster for people I don't want in my room'

Author image for Ely Bulnes
Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
Aug 20, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

Your room is supposed to be your own, sacred space. As small children, we all probably begged our parents to stay in bed and sleep with us through the night. Then we all likely spent our teenage years doing our best not to give them a reason to come in at all! 

This poor teenager is dealing with much more than just a nosy mom trying to tidy up or retrieve long-lost dinnerware from his bedroom. His 29-year-old brother is coming to visit, and he's brought his 6-year-old son in tow, and they're planning to stay in his room for the night. The thing is, his room is much more than just a room; it is a chaotically-curated shrine dedicated to everything he loves: Studio Ghibli, anime, and Hozier. Understandably, he flat-out refuses to tear it down for a single evening when his big bro asks him to do so for the sake of his son.

Look, my parents never really understood the whole "personal space" thing. I wasn't allowed to close my door at home, and my room was the go-to guest room whenever we had family over. I really hated returning to my room after everyone had left and seeing all of my belongings rearranged and rummaged through. That's why I'm completely and utterly on our narrator's side. However, plenty of internet commentors have come up with very reasonable compromises, which you can read through by scrolling down. 

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  • 01

    AITA for not removing multiple "scary" posters from my room that my nephew is sleeping in?

    "I dont want them in my room at all"
    via Vika Glitter from Pexels

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story. 

  • 02
    Ok so I (M16) got told today that my brother (M29) would be staying in MY ROOM overnight tomorrow with my nephew (M6),
    via u/Advanced-Light317
  • 03
    im already P ED AT THIS because well its my room, my mum is part of the older generation so according to her its perfectly normal to give up your bed for a guest.
    via u/Advanced-Light317
  • 04
    One thing about my room is that the walls are SMOTHERED in posters, like no gaps between jenga of different posters,
    via u/Advanced-Light317
  • 05
    banners, and post cards. I have a wall of 2000 post card of studio ghibli, 7 full size posters, 5 half
    via u/Advanced-Light317
  • 06
    size, 40 a5 pictures of hozier, and LOTS MORE general memorabilia from bands and shows.
    via u/Advanced-Light317
  • 07
    ROCK'S 50 MY FIRST LOVE STORI OF OUR LIF The HOT LIST BACK TO L THE SOUND MACH
    via Tamara Velázquez from capturenow

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story. 

  • 08
    I have 3 posters stapled to my ceiling, one of which is ryuk from de th note (look him up), hes creepy as he is a demon i will
    via u/Advanced-Light317
  • 09
    admit, and my brother asked "oh can you just take it down for the night" i say "no sorry its stapled and i don't want to damage it and
    via u/Advanced-Light317
  • 10
    put it back up" and he is NOT PLEASED having a go at me and saying "you would have been scared at his age to". I dont see
    via u/Advanced-Light317
  • 11
    how thats my problem. I dont want them in my room AT ALL im not ripping down a permanent poster for people i dont want in my room.
    via u/Advanced-Light317

  • Ryuk is one of my favorite anime characters; I really dig this kid's taste in decoration. I can definitely see how a parent might have concerns, though.

  • 12
    BUT IT GETS WORSE. I mentioned the 40 a5 pictures of hozier before. He wanted me to
    via u/Advanced-Light317
  • 13
    looks like a shrine. Cult like. Its gonna scare him take it down"
    via u/Advanced-Light317
  • 14
    Atp im not listening to a word he says. But like am i in the wrong for this? I dont feel like i am but my mum is calling me unreasonable
    via u/Advanced-Light317
  • 15
    Cheezburger Image 10544169728
    via Pressmaster

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story. 

  • 16
    Orion-Key3996 NTA. But, maybe a simple roll of brown package paper pinned over them would ensure he
    via u/Orion-Key3996
  • 17
    doesn't damage them and that they don't get taken down. Or you could use wrapping paper. Not ideal but would be kind.
    via u/Orion-Key3996
  • 18
    iratemistletoe This is the best suggestion of compromise I've seen. This is sensible and should make everyone happy.
    via u/iratemistletoe

  • I think this is such an amazing opportunity to suggest a compromise! Our protagonist will seem incredibly mature if he suggests a middle path. 

  • 19
    Lovemybee I don't blame OP for not being happy that he is being kicked out of his bedroom, but since he likely is powerless to stop it, I agree this is the best compromise.
    via u/Lovemybee
  • 20
    lightbreakingshadow This is an amazing compromise. Being 16, it sounds like you're not going to get the respect you deserve but this is a great way
    via u/lightbreakingshadow
  • 21
    to make sure no one decides to take matters into their own hands while making sure you don't have to damage any of your posters.
    via u/lightbreakingshadow
  • 22
    AngelZash Agreed. This is a good way to compromise. I'm of the opinion of that old school" variety, and it's just polite and good manners to give up a room for a guest like
    via u/AngelZash
  • 23
    this. However, they should not be making demands of what you have in your room. If they don't like it, they sleep elsewhere, THAT is also common courtesy.
    via u/AngelZash
  • 24
    So NTA, op. But if your brother is this entitled, cover the walls with paper or a sheet or
    via u/AngelZash
  • 25
    something and make sure to let your parents know of the problem. They need to be dealing with your brother on this, not you.
    via u/AngelZash
  • 26
    HereFromFB You should probably be prepared for him to take the posters down himself..
    via u/HereFromFB
  • 27
    Witty_Commentator This is what I was thinking the whole time I read that. OP, it might be easier to take them
    via u/Witty_Commentator
  • 28
    down yourself. You're NTA in this, but if your brother is mad about it, he might tear them down!
    via u/Witty_Commentator
  • 29
    IAMSDM Tell bro to bring a tent and set it up in the room
    via u/IAMSDM
  • 30
    Cheezburger Image 10544169472
    via pixelshot

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story. 

  • 31
    lissabeth777 Set up in the living room! Then they can watch TV and if would be like camping for the kid. You
    via u/lissabeth777
  • 32
    get your room your brother doesn't have to deal with nightmares and the kid doesn't realize he's missing out on anything.
    via u/lissabeth777

Tags

relationship advice family drama brother teenagers siblings relationships parenting raising teens love entitled family Parenting Fail parents entitled people
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