My husband has a 14-year-old daughter from his previous marriage. She asked if she could live with us, but since my two kids already have their own rooms, we don’t have a spare one for her. I agreed to let her stay—but on three simple conditions.

When I told her the rules, she immediately broke down in tears.The first rule is that she must write me a letter every Sunday. It doesn’t have to be long—just a few sentences about her week, what she enjoyed, what challenges she faced, or even something funny she noticed.

I hoped this would help us connect without awkward face-to-face conversations she might find uncomfortable.The second rule is that she must rotate sleeping arrangements every month. Since there’s no extra room, she would take turns staying in my daughter’s room, my son’s room, and even the couch.

I thought this was fair because everyone in the house has to compromise. But she felt it meant she wasn’t truly welcome here.