Ok so first of all I don't mean your friend that comes over occasionally or anything like that. I'm talking about my mom. She comes to visit sometimes just because, and recently expressed to me that my ferrets stress her out. On one hand I would like her to be comfortable as a guest - she isn't afraid of them or anything - but on the other hand this is their home. If we're watching a movie or something I'm not going to make them stay in their cage just because she is here, I don't think it's fair. When school starts up again the weekend will be their most free time all week (they have quite enjoyed me being unemployed and out of school this summer, lol). 

I know she will visit but I don't think its fair to leave them cooped up the whole time just because shes here. Any suggestions?

how long does your mom visit you?

Minimum a day, which is fine. Sometimes up to 4, which isn't fair to the ferrets. :\

block off the room shes in so they cant get in? or maybe a play pen. I use a marshal's 11 panel and will be getting extensions. that way their still out but away from her. Why do they stress her out if you don't mind me asking?

I honestly don't know. I've had them since November, shes fine with me bringing them to her house if I visit her for a few days, she's never said anything until recently. 

I kind of think she isn't being 100% honest. The reason she gave is my stepdad. He is a big guy and can't hear well. I keep a very close eye on them and him when they're out, but usually he just falls asleep on a chair watching TV as they are older... his daughter has like 5 or something ferrets too, so I seriously doubt that he is the reason that she said it.

It just happened on a recent phone call which she was kind of drunk in, and she said that they stress her out.   /shrug

I have a ferret room, where I can block it off (plexi glass).  This way, if I have friends over.  The furkids can still get out to play...in a enclosed area.  It's only temporary, they don't seem to mind it.
 
At least, I know my furkids are safe and my guess are happy. 
 
If you can't keep them enclosed into a room, playpen will work.

When you block them off in the play room do they dig at the floor where the plexi glass is? I have a spare room which I use as a ferret room but I cannot block them in there because the will dig at the carpet by the door. I've tried blocking off around the door and I even bought the plastic carpet but they manage to get up under it and dig. Any ideas how to make them stop? 

[Cynthia, Daisy, Duke, & Bear]

I have hard wood floors in the ferret room.  At first they were digging at the plexi glass.
Since it was hard wood floors...no damage.  On the other side is rug, they will dig at the rug if the plexi glass is up.   Mom, why can we go into our room.....dig.....dig....dig...

Playpen may be a better option for you.

I have the same issue with the mom-in-law She visits it is a 1-4 week affair (she is coming up from FLA) Also whenever we watch any or our friends dogs (won't risk them being out with a dog that is NOT mine. We use the playpen in both situations. Allows fuzzies to be out to play but no harm from strange dogs or to freaked out mom-in law. NOT the ideal situation but we make it work best we can. We have their cages in the Livingroom so we don't close the playpen (at least not as it was meant to be closed and locked into itself), since the cages are against the wall we have one open side up against the wall and the other open side on the other side of the cages also against the wall. This way they have more square footage to play and have access to their cages, food, water. They don't like it much but it is better than very limitted play time of none at all.