I CONFRONTED MY EX AFTER OUR DAUGHTER WAS TREATED LIKE A FREE NANNY—AND WHAT HAPPENED NEXT SHOCKED ME

My 16-year-old daughter, Sari, who splits time with her dad and stepmom, called me crying. She was assigned the “night shift” with their newborn as “rent” for living there. Furious, I drove over with donuts, calmly confronted them, and took Sari to stay with me. Her dad, Colby, looked exhausted; his wife, Renna, dismissed my concerns. I told them making a teen care for a baby overnight was exploitation, especially since Sari was failing classes from sleep deprivation. Colby didn’t argue, and Sari moved in with me.

She slept 13 hours and seemed herself again. Days later, Colby admitted he’d failed Sari, letting Renna’s postpartum struggles dictate too much. He’d started therapy and asked if Sari could stay with me full-time for now. I agreed, but only if he apologized to her directly. He did, sincerely, and they both cried. He’s since shown up more—texting, attending her play, bringing flowers. Things aren’t perfect, but he’s trying. Renna and I remain distant, but Sari knows she’s not an unpaid babysitter or a bargaining chip. She’s loved for being herself. If your kid’s caught in adult drama, listen and protect them. Grown-ups should act like it.