Dear Abby Advice Column Addresses Stepdaughter Conflicts

A woman wrote to Dear Abby about her partner's 8-year-old daughter, whom she has helped raise since toddlerhood. She says the girl's behavior, and her partner's response, have left her exhausted.

• 5 years: how long the letter writer has been with her partner.
• 2-hour tantrums push the writer out of the couple's bedroom.
• The writer says her partner scolds the girl, then gives in.
• The girl behaves well when her father is absent, the writer says.

Why it matters: The columnist told the writer she is not the bad guy. She said the girl's good behavior without her father shows she knows the rules.

• The columnist called the behavior not normal for an 8-year-old.

How 4 sources split on this story

What’s next: The columnist advised a calm conversation, then a licensed family therapist. She said the writer must decide whether the behavior is a deal-breaker.

• Whether the father would agree to family therapy.