I live in Australia and I got married to a Jamaican a year and six months ago. My husband has been in Australia for nearly four months, but we have been seeing each other for three years. I have grown daughters. The 28-year-old lives next door and the others are with us. My new husband wants us to get our own place without my daughter. He doesn't have any children of his own. I seem to be in the middle because in my culture my children should stay with me until they are ready to get married, or if they want to leave and go on their own.

What should I do?

Australian

Dear Australian,

Don't insist that your daughters go to live on their own. If your husband didn't want them to live with you, he should have told you so before the both of you got married. It is wrong for him to try and disrupt the family. These children may be adults but are they able to support themselves and get a home on their own? You understand your culture and you know your children. Your husband is a perfect stranger and he should learn to appreciate the culture, especially if the children are respectful.

I am not saying that adult children should always live at home with their parents. However, in this case, it is wrong for your husband to insist that you should throw them out and for him to live with you in your own home. If your husband is able to provide a home for the both of you alone, then he should do so and leave your daughters in your house undisturbed.

Pastor