I’m divorced, and my 18-year-old daughter recently walked into the living room, dropped onto the couch, and said without any hesitation, “You have to rent me an apartment.” I nearly choked on my tea.
Here’s some background. After the divorce, my ex-husband decided it would be “easier” to send money directly to our daughter instead of going through me. At first, I didn’t mind—it meant less conflict between us. But over time, it completely changed her attitude.
Instead of asking for things, she started demanding them. Clothes, gadgets, nights out—if I said no, she’d just go to her dad. Wanting to be the “fun parent,” he usually gave in.
But demanding her own apartment at 18? That was a whole new level.
I calmly told her no. I explained she wasn’t ready for that responsibility and that if she wanted to move out, she could get a job and pay her own rent. She snapped back instantly: “Then dad will do it, and you’ll be out of my life forever!”
If that was the road she wanted to take, I wasn’t going to beg her to stay.
What she didn’t expect was her father’s reaction. Instead of rushing in to save the day, he called me later and told me he was appalled by her behavior. She had gone to him with the same demand, fully expecting a yes.
Instead, he shut it down.
He told her she was being manipulative and disrespectful. Then he laid down a new rule: “From now on, all money goes through your mom. She decides what you get and when. If you want anything, you go through her.”
The fallout was explosive. Screaming, crying, accusations that we were “teaming up against her.” Doors were slammed. Silent treatments followed. But eventually, she cooled down.
And the strangest part? My ex and I actually started getting along again. Being on the same page changed everything. The drama dropped, our daughter started learning some humility, and for once, we stood united as parents.
Honestly, I never saw that twist coming.
