My ex-husband and his new wife recently had a newborn, and my 16-year-old daughter, who lives with them, was suddenly expected to babysit the baby every night. When she tearfully called me saying her stepmother told her, “You can’t live here for free; you have to earn it,” I was furious. Forcing a teenager to sacrifice sleep and school for a baby that isn’t her responsibility felt deeply unfair.

Instead of reacting on impulse, I arranged for Child Protective Services (CPS) to visit the home the next day. CPS spoke with everyone involved but ultimately said there wasn’t enough evidence to take further action. My ex was outraged at my intervention, and to my surprise, my daughter also felt I had gone too far, leaving me unsure if I did the right thing.

Though I don’t regret standing up for my daughter, I worry that involving CPS might have caused her more stress. At the same time, I can’t accept that a teenager’s well-being is being overlooked in favor of unpaid, overnight babysitting duties. It’s a difficult balance to protect her without escalating family tensions.

Now, I’m looking for ways to support and protect my daughter without making things worse. I want to find a peaceful solution that respects her needs and boundaries while navigating the complicated family dynamics. If anyone has advice on how to handle this delicate situation, I’d be grateful to hear it.