Setting Boundaries at Home: When Adult Children Refuse to Leave the Nest

As I approach the final stages of my pregnancy, I’m faced with a daunting reality: my stepdaughter, who’s been living with us for years, refuses to leave. At 25, I believe it’s high time she took responsibility for her life and found her own place. But despite my repeated requests, she’s shown no inclination to move out.

The situation has become increasingly urgent, as I need her room for my baby. I’ve tried reasoning with her, but she’s still not ready to leave the comfort and security of her dad’s house. Frustrated and fed up, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I packed her belongings and told her it was time to grow up and find her own way.

But little did I expect the backlash that followed. My husband, who’s always been soft on his daughter, didn’t come home that night. I later discovered that he was with my stepdaughter, and even more shocking, he’s planning to rent an apartment for her using our savings. I was horrified and felt betrayed by my husband’s decision.

For the past year, I’ve been asking my husband for a bigger house, but he’s always claimed we couldn’t afford it. Yet, he’s willing to use our savings to support his adult daughter’s lifestyle. It’s not just the financial aspect that bothers me; it’s the principle of enabling her dependency on her father.

I’m torn between feeling angry and frustrated. Part of me wonders if I’m overreacting, but another part of me believes my anger is justified. Shouldn’t my husband prioritize our family’s needs, especially with a new baby on the way? I’m unsure of what to do next, but I know I need to take a stand and set some boundaries in my own home.