I Refused to Let My Stepdaughter Live with Us for Free and This Is the Result

Claudia wrote to us, finding herself in a difficult situation. Her adult stepdaughter wants to return to her father’s house. This has caused a real rift in the family. Claudia is unsure how to handle the situation and fears it might worsen if not addressed soon. She is seeking advice on how to restore harmony in her home.

Claudia’s letter:

We asked our readers, “How would you handle this scenario?”

• Pack my belongings and leave and divorce him, he will find out that he has made a big mistake and regret his decision. © Adele Holding / Facebook
• When she moved out of her parents’ home, she was working, she decided to move out because she didn’t want to pay rent, and now she lost her job. We do not know if it’s her first job or her second job or how long she’s been living out there 5, 10, 15. Years and now she is moving in. © Stepping Razar Fontaine / Facebook
• I would go to a divorce lawyer, file and ask for the house and alimony. He obviously doesn’t respect her and will allow his princess to do what she wants. © Cate Adlam / Facebook
• She has no job, how is she meant to pay rent. Some leniency is needed here. I would have broached the subject differently in the beginning and with my husband first. The way both spoke to her is not on. Shows a lack of respect. I am sure this is not the first time this has happened, either. She needs to decide if she wants to put up or get out! © Raelene Xerri / Facebook

• A parents’ home is supposed to be a safe place for children to return to when they need it, you need to move out if you think otherwise! © Jamila Raja / Facebook
• Husband just told you his daughter is more important to him than his wife. Please seek a lawyer’s advice. You’re number 2 in his mind. Stepdaughter is going to move in and life will be hell for you. She’s already made comments that daddy is going to choose her. Please seek legal advice before she moves in. © Mary Freitas Gomes / Facebook
• You can’t win, it’s his place and his daughter. Either agree with him, let the daughter stay, or pack up and leave. © Pam Graham / Facebook
• There are a lot of ifs in this story. You can’t determine by what was said. This is also something that she had no right to demand, but should have been discussed in a civilized manner. Demanding things only stirs up problems. She doesn’t say how long they have been married, is the house something that is his before he married her also how can she pay when she has no money? It’s his daughter, she should lighten up. © Charlene Eldred Thorgrimson / Facebook

Not everyone can easily adjust to the role of a stepparent. However, many loves and accept their stepchildren as their own. Here are some examples among celebrities.