My 17-year-old stepson, Mateo, stays with us on weekends. Recently, my 14-year-old daughter, Violet, begged me to stop his visits but wouldn’t explain why. One day, I found a velvet box hidden under a pile of socks in Mateo’s room. Inside was a silver bracelet with a heart charm. Confused, I confronted Mateo gently. He admitted it was for Violet’s birthday, a thank-you for helping him through anxiety attacks he’d hidden from me and his dad, Trevor. Violet had been overwhelmed by his reliance on her, texting and calling constantly, which explained her plea to keep him away.

I felt guilty for missing Violet’s burden and Mateo’s struggles. I spoke with Violet, who admitted she felt trapped helping him. We held a family meeting with Trevor, where Mateo shared everything. He continued therapy, and we focused on both kids’ emotional health. Weeks later, Mateo gave Violet the bracelet, not as thanks, but as a gesture of sibling care. She accepted it, relieved he had support. I learned love means guiding kids to set boundaries and noticing their silent struggles, ensuring they know it’s okay to step back