New here

[Parents! Get help here!]

Hi, I am joining here to get some support from fellow parents.
I have 1 son, who’s 7 years old.
His half sister (my ex’s daughter, who I regard as my bonus daughter) turned 18 and moved in with us about a year ago.

It has been exceedingly difficult.
I love her and I feel for her. I know I’m the only stable, loving, secure adult she has ever experienced.
And I am exhausted by the boundary pushing, mood swings, unkind treatment, and entitlement.
Over the last couple of months I’ve made some big changes insofar as my expectations and conditions for her continuing to live here.

I so badly wish I could make things easier for her in life, and, I fear I am going to burn out, even with the aforementioned conditions/boundaries.

Additionally, my partner and I are talking about our next steps - getting engaged, moving in together, etc. and I fear she would make it miserable. I know the answer is to put an end date for how long she can live here. And I’m scared of her reaction, as well as scared about what is next for her.

Advice? Thoughts?

[Misty93]

Hi, I am joining here to get some support from fellow parents.
I have 1 son, who’s 7 years old.
His half sister (my ex’s daughter, who I regard as my bonus daughter) turned 18 and moved in with us about a year ago.

It has been exceedingly difficult.
I love her and I feel for her. I know I’m the only stable, loving, secure adult she has ever experienced.
And I am exhausted by the boundary pushing, mood swings, unkind treatment, and entitlement.
Over the last couple of months I’ve made some big changes insofar as my expectations and conditions for her continuing to live here.

I so badly wish I could make things easier for her in life, and, I fear I am going to burn out, even with the aforementioned conditions/boundaries.

Additionally, my partner and I are talking about our next steps - getting engaged, moving in together, etc. and I fear she would make it miserable. I know the answer is to put an end date for how long she can live here. And I’m scared of her reaction, as well as scared about what is next for her.

Advice? Thoughts?

Our objective is to better understand the struggles our child faces and to learn the skills to improve our relationship and provide a supportive environment and also improve on our own emotional responses, attitudes and effectiveness as a family leaders