Blending families is tough, especially when children resist. A mother, 34, shares her struggle with her 12-year-old daughter, Ava, who refuses to accept her new husband, Jason, 39, and his daughters, Emily, 10, and Lily, 8. Ava is openly rude, telling Jason’s daughters they “don’t belong.”

Tensions peaked when Ava found Emily using her art supplies (with permission) and lashed out, yelling insults and destroying Emily’s work. Despite repeated talks and discipline, Ava’s hostility persisted. When told she couldn’t join Christmas, she accused her mom of “taking their side” and ran off to her dad’s house.

The situation worsened when Ava’s uncle called, threatening the mom—an act orchestrated by Ava’s dad. Meanwhile, Ava remains unapologetic, insisting her mom favors her “new family.”

Now, the family is split. Jason supports the mom’s firm stance, while her own family believes she’s pushing Ava away. Torn between tough love and keeping peace, the mother wonders if banning Ava from Christmas was necessary or too harsh.