“Setting boundaries” is something that comes up a lot in modern conversations about healthy interpersonal relationships.

But the form that can take isn’t always what you’d expect.

What would you do if you tried to set a boundary to protect your own mental health, but instead of having your loved one respect your boundary, they got mad at you about it?

This mom of an autistic child tried to set a food related boundary with her cousin, and it didn’t go well.

Let’s read all the details.

AITA for setting a boundary about not wanting to talk about food, which led to my cousin cutting me off?

I (30s, F) have a young son, Asher, who has significant challenges with food due to autism.

His eating habits aren’t just “picky”—they’re tied to how he processes the world.

It’s something we’ve been working through with professionals, and it causes me a lot of stress and anxiety.

I cry over it multiple times a week.

What made things worse, (unintentionally?), was cousin Kelsey.

My cousin Kelsey and I were close, but over time, our conversations around food became really triggering.

She would often send photos of her child eating healthy meals, make comments about how certain foods are “gross” or “bad” (foods Asher eats, like Goldfish), and send me suggestions or tips that—while maybe well-intentioned—came across as passive advice that I didn’t ask for.

One time Asher was eating Goldfish and she casually mentioned she read they’re a leading cause of cavities.

Stuff like that adds up when you’re already emotionally overwhelmed.

And here’s where those boundaries come into play.

After talking to my therapist, I decided to set a boundary.

I messaged her to say that food is a hard subject for me, and I’d prefer not to talk about it anymore.

I made it clear it wasn’t about her—it was about my own anxiety and what I’m going through with Asher.

I even said I was embarrassed to admit how hard it’s been, and I just wanted to avoid the topic to protect my mental health.

Her cousin didn’t respond well to this request.

She didn’t take it well.

She said maybe they just “shouldn’t come around anymore,” and when I tried to clarify that I wasn’t blaming her and that I valued our relationship, she doubled down and said she was distancing herself.

I stayed calm, explained again that I wasn’t accusing her of anything, and that this boundary was about me—not her.

But she cut things off completely.

All she was trying to do was set a boundary.

I honestly didn’t expect this reaction.

I wasn’t rude. I wasn’t attacking her.

I set a personal boundary and was shut out over it.

I’ve been blocked for months.

So… AITA for setting a clear boundary about not wanting to talk about food—even if it made her uncomfortable?

It definitely seems like her cousin overreacted.

Let’s see what the comments say on Reddit:

Also, GOLDFISH?

The line should have been respected.

Why on earth would this be so important to her?

I’m still stuck on the Goldfish thing.

If you liked this post, you might want to read this story about a teacher who taught the school’s administration a lesson after they made a sick kid take a final exam.