We all know that old habits can be hard to break. Sometimes, these habits can have negative consequences that we desperately want to change. But breaking free from our habits is not an easy task.

Humans are creatures of habit, and this applies to both young and old. In fact, even young children can develop habits that can last a lifetime. This story that follows is a perfect example of how habits can affect our lives and the difficult decisions we have to make.

I want to begin by saying that I was recently diagnosed with Postpartum Depression (PPD). I mention this because I’m not sure if it’s playing a role in my actions. Now, let me tell you about my situation. I have been with my boyfriend for 6 years, and he has a 12-year-old son named Jake. I have owned my own home for almost 10 years now, and they moved in with me 2 years ago. We also have a beautiful 3-month-old daughter.

Jake adores his baby sister. He loves holding her and tries his best to be helpful. However, there is a major issue that has been causing a lot of stress since our daughter was born. Jake has been purposely scaring her. He would walk up to her and yell “RA!” just to see her startle and cry. I’ve repeatedly told him to stop, explaining that he’s hurting her ears and that it’s not funny. Yet, he continues to do it at least 4 times a day.

I’ve expressed my concerns to my boyfriend, but he often dismisses them, saying that it’s just kids being kids. He believes that it’s natural for children to find it amusing when babies get scared. He also reminds me that Jake did the same thing with his half-brother when he was a baby. I’ve reached my breaking point numerous times, but it all came to a head a few days ago.

In a moment of frustration, I lost my temper and threatened to kick both my boyfriend and Jake out of my home. It was a harsh thing to say, and I immediately felt like a terrible person when I saw the sadness in Jake’s eyes as he retreated to his room. But my intentions were clear – I wanted to protect my daughter.

Last night, while I was briefly out of the room, I heard Jake imitating a baby voice and my daughter screaming in response. I couldn’t bear to hear her cry once again. An hour later, I heard the same thing, “RA,” followed by my baby’s cries. That was the final straw for me.

I didn’t wait for an explanation or response. I told them to pack their things and leave immediately. My priority was to comfort my baby. Jake tried apologizing, saying it was just a habit, while my boyfriend protested, saying it wasn’t a big deal. I refused to listen to their excuses. I made up my mind.

To my surprise, my boyfriend insisted that he wasn’t going anywhere. He claimed that it was his house too. In that moment, I decided that if he wanted to stay, then I would be the one to leave. I threatened to involve the authorities and have the police serve him an eviction notice. He begged me to calm down, repeatedly reminding me that Jake is just a 12-year-old kid and that he won’t be perfect.

This morning, I took action. I filed for their eviction. Some people may think I’m being unreasonable, but I am tired of Jake purposely scaring my daughter multiple times a day. I have spoken to Jake about his behavior, and he admits that he finds it funny when children cry.

I hope that this decision will help protect my daughter and create a safer environment for her. It’s a difficult situation, but as a mother, I will always prioritize my child’s well-being.