I want my 19-year-old stepdaughter to babysit—my house is not a free hotel.

Creating peace in blended families can be hard, especially when unexpected problems come up.

Becky, a mother of a two-year-old, asked her 19-year-old stepdaughter to help with babysitting while she worked, but her stepdaughter refused. Frustrated, Becky told her stepdaughter to start paying rent to contribute to the household. This led to an unexpected argument, leaving Becky feeling upset and unsure of what to do. She reached out for advice, hoping to find a way through this difficult situation.

Here is Becky’s letter:

I’m reaching out because I’m struggling with a situation in my blended family and don’t know how to handle it. I’m a mother to a two-year-old, and I also have a 19-year-old stepdaughter who lives with us. Recently, I asked my stepdaughter if she could help babysit her little brother a few days a week while I work, but she flat-out refused. I understand she has her own life and commitments, but her response surprised and frustrated me.

In the heat of the moment, I told her that if she wasn’t willing to pitch in by babysitting, she should start contributing to the household by paying rent. This, unfortunately, led to an argument that left us both feeling upset and distant. I thought it would be fair for her to help out or contribute financially, but now I’m questioning if I went about it the right way. I want to create a peaceful home, but it feels like our relationship is becoming strained, and I don’t want to push her away.

I’d really appreciate any advice on how to navigate this situation. How can I find a balance between expecting her to help and respecting her independence as a young adult? I just want us to feel like a family again.

Thank you,
Becky

Related Posts

blank

Laughter, Love & Leftovers: Why Every Family Should Be (a Little) Like The Verse Family

🍴 1. Food as a Family Celebration Whether they’re whipping up a gourmet meal or tackling a stack of pancakes, the Verse Family makes eating together feel…

blank

Borders, Islands & Sea Dreams: 5 Geography Facts That Will Blow Your Mind

1. Great Britain ≠ United Kingdom (≠ England, ≠ Britain) One of the most common slip‑ups in geography is mixing up these four terms: England is a…

blank

Whiskers & Wagging Tails: 12 Purr‑fect and Paw‑sibly Surprising Facts About Cats and Dogs

🐱 Six Feline Facts to Amaze You Cats “Talk” with Their TailsA cat’s tail is a sophisticated communication tool. A straight‑up tail often means a happy greeting;…

blank

From “Bridgerton’s” Dashing Duke to Action‑Star Dukes: A Regal Line‑Up of Actors Named Duke

💫 Regé‑Jean Page – The Irresistible Duke of Hastings Netflix’s Bridgerton Regé‑Jean Page leapt into global fame as Simon Basset, the magnetic Duke of Hastings in Bridgerton….

blank

“From Heartfelt Hugs to High-Tech Hacks: 4 Shorts That’ll Make You Smile Today”

1. A Touching Welcome Home In Son greets father with surprising sign, a young boy welcomes his returning dad in an unexpectedly emotional way—no spoken words, just…

blank

“Bayou Barbie Unfiltered” – The Hilariously Bold Rise of Angel Reese

1. 🚨 Mischief in Mini-Me On her “Unapologetically Angel” podcast, Reese shared a childhood confession: she called 911 on babysitters she disliked—many times. Her mom had to…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *