A boundary with no follow-through is a speed bump painted on the road. People notice it’s flat.

A limit is taught by what happens after it gets crossed, not by the words used to announce it. Say no and then say yes anyway, and you have shown people the yes is always available. They are not being cruel when they stop slowing down; they are reading accurately.

Pick one limit you have stated more than once and decide in advance what you will do the next time it is ignored. Something small and survivable, like leaving early or not answering until morning. The point is only that something changes.