**”My wife has a 13 Y.O daughter, Mia, who never saw me and my son as family. I kept trying, but my wife said to give her space. Last week, my wife asked me to pay for Mia’s fancy birthday party. But I refused. I said, ‘Ask her real dad!’ All because I found out she had secretly planned how to keep my son out of her celebration. She didn’t want him there.
What made it worse? My son had bought her a gift — something thoughtful, picked with care. He didn’t even know he wasn’t invited. I couldn’t let him give it to her, and I had no idea how to explain why. He’s kind, polite, and always tried to befriend her despite how cold she’s been.
When I told my wife how I felt, she accused me of being unfair and said it was her daughter’s day and her choice. But I didn’t feel any support from her. She seemed more focused on keeping her daughter happy than on protecting my son’s heart — or acknowledging my efforts. I felt hurt. How should I approach this?”**
