I have a vegan household and told my 14-year-old stepdaughter she must follow my rules. When she refused, I said, “My house, my rules—if you don’t like it, don’t come here!” My husband stayed silent during the argument, which I took as agreement.
But at 3 a.m., my 7-year-old son woke me up crying. That’s when I realized my husband had packed his things and left. He later told me he needed space, called me a “monster,” and said the house belongs to his daughter too. He felt I had no right to force my lifestyle on her.
I don’t understand what I did wrong. I think my stepdaughter is disrespectful and that I have the right to set rules in my own home.
Was I wrong?
—Trish
