The core tension lies in the word "better." The stepfather thinks he is improving the situation, but Jasmine feels he is changing the rules or intruding on her life.
Forcing a step-daughter to say “thank you” for improvements can backfire. Instead, ask: “How does this feel different from before? You don’t need to have a positive answer.”
Sometimes, improvement happens too fast. If Jasmine seems overwhelmed, actively scale back: “Let’s keep one old tradition from your biological family’s house, even if it’s less ‘efficient.’”