My 32-year-old stepdaughter recently lost her job and now wants to move back in with us. Based on past experience, I know she tends to take advantage of her father’s kindness and avoids responsibility whenever she can. Because of that, I told her that if she planned to live in our home, she would need to pay rent — this isn’t a free hotel.
She responded with a smug smile and said, “You’re wrong. This is my father’s house, and you don’t get a say.”
When I brought the issue to my husband, his reaction stunned me. He told me to clear out the spare room by removing my mother’s belongings so his daughter could move in. When I objected, he compared the situation to my mother’s visits, saying, “Your mother stays here rent-free, so why shouldn’t my daughter?”
I tried to explain that my mother only visits for a day or two at a time, while his daughter would likely move in indefinitely. I truly believe she would take full advantage of the situation, live rent-free, and have no intention of leaving. He refused to listen.
Now I feel completely dismissed — like a guest in my own home rather than an equal partner. I’m hurt, frustrated, and unsure how to move forward. What should I do?