My 19-year-old stepdaughter, Nora, refused to leave our home. I asked her to babysit our 2-year-old while my husband and I worked, but she snapped, “I’m not your free nanny!” Then one day, I found our baby crying with a dirty diaper, alone in a messy room while Nora ignored him upstairs.
This careless behavior continued. She ignored chores, yelled at me, and treated our home like a party zone—once even throwing a loud party with friends and alcohol while the baby slept nearby.
We gave her an ultimatum: get a job, help out, or move out within a month. She resisted at first but eventually applied for jobs and got hired. Slowly, she started helping around the house and bonding with her baby brother.
Later, her biological mom showed up wanting to reconnect, and surprisingly, Nora welcomed her. With support from both families, Nora began planning a future, enrolling in college and working toward her dreams.
Eventually, she moved out on her own, thanking me for never giving up. Our home is now peaceful, and Nora is thriving.
This taught me that tough love, patience, and believing in someone—even when they push you away—can truly change lives.
