Caregivers in blended families often have conflicting views on how to raise children. Colleen’s husband continues to support his 19-year-old daughter, who already has two kids and is pregnant again. Colleen, however, believes the girl needs to take responsibility and stop relying on handouts. Their difference in parenting styles soon led to a serious fallout.

Frustrated by her husband’s refusal to set boundaries, Colleen took matters into her own hands. She withdrew all the money from their joint savings and secretly bought an apartment. Days later, she walked into their bedroom and found her clothes packed in boxes. Beside them was a note from her husband saying, “If you want to make decisions on your own, then live on your own too—in the flat you bought.”

That same day, Colleen got a call from her stepdaughter. “You really think he’s going to turn his back on his only daughter?” she said before hanging up. Colleen was heartbroken. She felt she had done the right thing to protect their future, but now she was being treated like the enemy.

It’s been several days, and while Colleen hasn’t moved out, her husband still won’t speak to her. She’s feeling abandoned and betrayed for taking a stand she believed was necessary. All she wanted was for his daughter to grow up and become independent. Now, she’s wondering if her marriage will survive the fallout.