Setting Boundaries with Family: A Guide to Healthy Relationships

Do you have trouble saying no when family members ask you for favors? Or do loved ones not respect your need for alone time? Setting boundaries with family members can help you handle these situations — and improve your emotional wellness. 

Establishing healthy boundaries may help improve family relationships. These boundaries help build trust and respect between you and your family. In the following sections, we’ll discuss different kinds of boundaries and ways to set them in a respectful manner. 

What does a lack of boundaries look like?

Boundaries are types of rules you set with others, mainly as a way to protect your mental and emotional well-being. These limitations let others know what you are — and aren’t — willing to allow when interacting with them. 

A lack of boundaries means these rules either haven’t been established or aren’t being respected. This may strain your family relationships and affect your emotional wellness. For example, you might end up feeling resentment toward family members or have a hard time trusting them if you set boundaries, but your family doesn’t respect them.

Examples of a lack of boundaries include the following:

• Difficulty saying “no”
• Financial dependency 
• Lack of personal space or privacy 
• Oversharing information
• Pressure to meet unrealistic expectations 
• Uncertainty about one’s own sense of self 

Types of boundaries 

Exploring different kinds of boundaries may help you understand these rules better. And you might have an easier time figuring out which types to set with your loved ones, depending on your situation and needs. Below, we’ll discuss several types of boundaries to consider setting with family members.  

Time boundaries 

Do family members expect you to spend a lot of time with them — at the expense of having time to yourself, or time to spend with other important people in your life like friends or a significant other? Or maybe they expect you to drop what you’re doing for their plans when you already have your own? 

Setting clear limits on your time may help reduce the stress that these situations cause. Time boundaries also help with managing expectations. 

For example, your boundary might be that you aren’t available during certain times so that you can enjoy spending time on self-care. Or your boundary might be that loved ones need to give you plenty of notice about upcoming plans instead of expecting you to drop or change yours at the last minute. 

Emotional boundaries 

Do family members bring up past experiences that you have deep feelings about, such as embarrassment or even trauma? Or do they do or say other things that invade your personal emotional space?

Setting emotional boundaries may prevent this from happening and help you maintain your emotional health. These rules help family members know what’s off-limits for you in an emotional sense. 

For example, an emotional boundary might involve letting them know that you aren’t comfortable or willing to discuss certain experiences or other personal or private matters. 

Physical boundaries 

Lack of boundaries can extend to physical contact. Maybe you’re uncomfortable being expected to hug others, such as relatives you’re not close with. Or maybe you don’t like when family members stand too close while talking to you. 

Establishing physical boundaries may help you protect your personal space and feel more at ease when interacting with your family. 

For example, you might set a clear physical limit about hugging based on what you’re comfortable with. Or you might set a physical boundary asking others not to get too close to your face while talking to you. 

Material boundaries 

Does a family member frequently ask to borrow money from you? Or does a sibling wear one of your shirts without asking? 

Having material boundaries may help you avoid these kinds of conflicts. These boundaries help you set limits on sharing and using material possessions and money. 

For example, you might set a material boundary about not lending money to family members. Or your boundary might be that family members always need to ask before borrowing any of your clothing.

Food boundaries 

Do family members try to get you to eat something that’s not part of your diet for health or personal preference reasons? Or maybe a loved one comments about what you eat or how much you eat? 

Setting boundaries around your food choices and dietary preferences may help family members learn to respect these. Having these kinds of boundaries in place may make mealtime interactions more pleasant. 

For example, you might set a food boundary reminding family members that you eat a gluten-free diet due to health issues. Or your boundary might be asking them not to make comments about your diet or eating habits. 

Intellectual boundaries 

Do family members make fun of your ideas or thoughts on certain topics? Or does someone make negative comments about your educational background? 

Intellectual boundaries help families learn to respect each other’s thoughts and opinions. This helps create feelings of mutual respect and understanding between you and your loved ones. 

For example, you might set an intellectual boundary of asking family members to avoid making hurtful comments about opinions you express. Or you might set a boundary where you ask your family not to speak less of you for not having a college degree or advanced degree. 

Cultural and religious boundaries 

Do you have family members who pressure you to participate in religious practices when you don’t share their beliefs? Or do certain cultural practices create conflict between you and your family? 

Acknowledging and setting boundaries around cultural or religious practices may help reduce these conflicts. These boundaries may also help enhance harmony within your family and individual freedom.

For example, you might set a boundary letting family members know that you will not be attending religious services with them. Or your boundary might involve not participating in certain cultural practices, such as during holidays. 

How to respectfully set boundaries with family members 

Setting boundaries of any kind with loved ones may feel stressful, which is understandable. You want to maintain good relationships with them, and may not be sure how to approach setting these boundaries in a way that doesn’t create more tension. 

Using the right approach involves being respectful when setting these limits. In the following sections, we’ll walk you through how to set boundaries with family members and maintain them. 

1.  Prepare what you need to say 

You may be eager to set boundaries — but avoid rushing into it without any preparation. Figuring out what you’re going to say ahead of time is important. This helps ensure that you’re able to state your boundaries clearly to help reduce the risk of misunderstandings or other communication problems. 

Planning your words beforehand may also help you avoid giving any emotional responses during this conversation that may lead to conflict. Think about what you want to say, and practice before going into the conversation with your loved one. 

2.  Use a direct but kind approach 

The key to successfully setting boundaries with family members is using a straightforward yet compassionate communication style. Being direct helps ensure that they understand what you want, while being kind can help avoid hurt feelings.

For example, you might say something like, “I really need alone time to rest and unwind after a long day. I’m setting aside an hour each evening for this. Please don’t text me or ask me for anything during that time.” 

3.  Set expectations for relationships 

Healthy family relationships involve acknowledging and respecting boundaries. These limits help family members understand what is and isn’t acceptable. They’re also an important part of managing expectations.

But keep in mind that setting personal boundaries means asking people to change their behaviors. Some family members may not find this difficult. Others might have a harder time with it. Set realistic expectations in your relationships based on how resistant family members are when it comes to making changes. 

4.  Be prepared for pushback

Those who struggle with change may push back when you set boundaries with them. They might try to argue with you about these new limits. Or they might refuse to acknowledge them or change their behavior. 

It’s okay to listen to their perspective about your boundaries. For example, a loved one who usually leans on you for financial support might express frustration or fear if you set a boundary of not loaning money to family members. 

You can be open to hearing what they have to say, but don’t feel like you have to compromise your well-being in order to appease them. If you’re feeling taken advantage of or if lending money is causing you to struggle financially, for example, stay firm about your material boundaries. 

5.  Offer alternatives when appropriate 

In some cases, you may be able to offer alternative solutions or compromises without neglecting or negatively affecting your own needs. Doing this helps maintain goodwill between you and your family. It also shows consideration for their needs. 

For example, you might have a food boundary that involves eating a vegan diet for personal reasons. Offer to bring a vegan dish with you to family gatherings, or share simple vegan recipe ideas if a family member wants to make dinner for you.  

6.  Follow through on your words 

Boundaries are only helpful if you maintain them. This may be easier said than done, but it’s important to follow through. Enforcing your own boundaries consistently helps family members learn to acknowledge and respect them. 

This, in turn, helps build trust and understanding for healthier relationships with your loved ones. Your commitment to your boundaries may even inspire or encourage them to set their own. 

For example, if your boundary is no interruptions during your designated “me time,” remind family members to wait until after that time to talk to you. If they text during that time, don’t text back until your alone time is done. 

7.  Seek additional support 

What if you’re unsure how to set clear boundaries? What happens if you struggle to maintain them? Turn to external sources of support for help. Individual counseling or family therapy with a mental health professional may provide you with the assistance and guidance you need in order to set and maintain boundaries with others.

Discover your path to well-being with SonderMind 

Having boundaries with family may improve your emotional health and your relationships with loved ones. Consider what kinds of limits you should set in order to protect your emotional and mental well-being. And, of course, make sure you follow through with them once you set them. 

Professional guidance may help you navigate this process more easily. SonderMind can connect you with a licensed therapist who can help you set new boundaries and navigate family relationships. 

Connect with a therapist through SonderMind today.