Blending families is tough, especially when kids have a hard time adjusting. A 34 – year – old mom tells how she’s dealing with the tension between her 12 – year – old daughter Ava, and her new husband Jason, 39, who has two daughters, 10 – year – old Emily and 8 – year – old Lily.
Ava has been constantly rude to Jason and his daughters. She refuses to bond with them and even says the girls don’t belong.
The problem got worse when Ava found Emily using her art supplies (with permission). Ava shouted insults and destroyed Emily’s project.
Despite many talks and discipline, Ava’s behavior didn’t change. When called out, Ava said her mom was taking the step – family’s side. After being told she couldn’t join Christmas, she stormed off.
Later, the mom got a threatening call from Ava’s uncle, set up by Ava’s dad, after Ava ran to her dad’s house without telling her mom.
Now, the family is split. Jason backs the mom’s tough – love approach, but her family blames her for not letting Ava join Christmas, saying she’s pushing her daughter away. Ava still won’t apologize and says her mom favors her “new family.”
Caught between unconditional love and setting limits, the mom wonders if her decision was too harsh or needed for family peace.