I had to take a tough call. Your soon to be ex wife couldn’t or wouldn’t control her daughter, so the whole house is ruined. Bottom line it that way.
The abuse of the other siblings is unacceptable on any level. I’d want to know why miss Nasty britches wants to move in there. The next day, I packed up my kids’ things and told my wife I couldn’t stay.
It wasn’t easy. I loved her and her younger children dearly, but I had to protect my own kids first. Filing for divorce was painful, but the relief on my children’s faces told me I had made the right choice.
For the first time in months, they felt safe again. My ex won’t forgive me. As a father, I know my first responsibility is towards my children, so I know I did the right thing.
My (now) ex-wife blames me for throwing away our marriage over (in her words) a “small” issue. She won’t talk to me or let me see her younger children. What would you have done if you were in my place?
Here’s our advice:
Thank you for sharing your story. We applaud you for putting your kids’ needs above all else. We’re sure it wasn’t an easy decision to make, so if you find yourself ever doubting your choice, remember:
Protect your children’s sense of safety: Children need to thrive.
If they feel unsafe at home, their development and trust in relationships can be harmed. Address red flags early: Small issues can escalate if ignored. are crucial for correcting behavior.
Kids pay attention to your actions more than words: whether parents back up promises with real protection. A parent’s reliability is key to how kids learn trust. Bonus kids can be a blessing, but in this reader’s case, they cost him his marriage.
Here’s another story about a stepdaughter whose attitude needed a reality check.
