What are your rights as parent and step parent when the 13 year old child decides not to live with you anymore but you have half custody and what about all the stuff we bought that she left behind?

Answer 1

First of all, the child should be listened to where they want to live at 13yo but the decision is not theirs, it's the parents.

It sounds like a lot of sadness from this question and like you didn't see this coming. I would suggest you leave the room with the things the way it is. At 13 and up there are many opportunities to change ones mind. Also there are the visits that I think you should try to keep. If the child feels every weekend is too much maybe twice a month then. I get the feeling this is a new family after a divorce and many children feel bitter after that and has a hard time with the new spouse. However, it takes 2 years according to experts to become a new family and feel like one. Don't ever feel it's OK to stop seeing each other just because the child is angry now, those things change. If there is fighting at home when he/she visits make sure it's the biological parent dealing with it until you have more ground to stand on. The biological parent has to show that respecting the step parent in their home is a must. I don't know your situation but try to work with the other biological parent on this. Make sure they understand this is for their child's best, to have a good relationship with his/hers parents. So don't give up, make new plans let your child breathe a little and insist on sleep overs so you have a chance to hang out to begin with and add more as time goes by. Children don't always know what is best for them. You have to think about the future.