Hi! I often read the blogs on your website, but I never imagined one day I’d be stuck in such a situation, where I’d need advice too.

I have a 15-year-old daughter named Lila from a previous relationship. My husband, Mark, and I have been married for 9 years. My husband has loved and raised my daughter as if she were his own ever since she was 8. They’ve always had a beautiful bond filled with mutual respect and laughter. I believed nothing could shake that bond—until last night.

Our home has always been warm, welcoming, and supportive. But there’s been one recurring issue that we try our best to avoid: his 17-year-old daughter from his first marriage, Savannah. She lives in another state with her mother and only visits occasionally. While I respect their relationship, Savannah’s presence always brings tension, especially between her and my daughter.