Yeah, this reads like an exasperated "whyyyy won't they let me be in control???" While I don't think it's at all unreasonable for them all to have a discussion about why step dad likes to know where they are and what they can do to address that, if anything, he doesn't seem to have much cause to be as controlling as he seems to want to be. And yeah, maybe mom saw something she wanted in a very strict new husband, but I doubt her daughters had anywhere as much say in the matter. I'd say he could definitely stand to accept the need to change on his part at least as much as he wants others to change.