Mom’s Viral Note to Her “Disrespectful” Son Left on His Bedroom Door
Most adults understand that the challenges of adulthood often seem deceptively simple through the eyes of an inexperienced child.
A comfortable home with food on the table and unlimited internet access appears effortless to maintain. However, the means by which these comforts are provided are far more complex than a child might realize.
One mother decided to teach her disrespectful 13-year-old son that “nothing comes for free” by employing a humorous yet effective method. Read on to discover how this mom used a “real-world” lesson to discipline her son!
In 2015, Heidi Johnson faced challenges with her rebellious son Aaron, who she noted “wants the perks of growing up without the responsibility that comes with it.”
At the time, Aaron was earning a “small amount of money” as a YouTuber and refused to follow his mom’s instructions regarding his homework. The young rebel stormed out of her room, proclaiming he was “a free person” because he was “making money.”
In response to his behavior, the single mother penned a firm letter to Aaron and shared it on Facebook—a post that, nearly a decade later, has gone viral once again.
“Since you seem to have forgotten you’re only 13, and I’m the parent, and that you won’t be controlled, I guess you need a lesson in independence,” Johnson begins in the “roommate contract.” “As you mentioned that you’re making money now, it will be easier to buy back all the items I’ve purchased for you in the past.”
She continues, “If you would like your lamps/light bulbs or access to the internet, you will need to pay your share of the costs.”
The terms in the letter required Aaron to pay for rent and utilities, and also stipulated that he cook his own meals and regularly contribute to household chores.
Johnson signs off with, “Love, Mom.”
Repossession
The mother, residing in Venice, Italy, said that when her son saw the note on his door, he crumpled it up, tossed it aside, and stormed out of the apartment.
He needed some time to reflect, and she used that time to reclaim some of the items in his room.
“Once he had time to think about his actions, he asked what he could do to start re-earning privileges,” she said, adding that he later gathered items from his room that she had missed and, after handing them over, inquired about how he could begin earning them back.
“It was never really about having him pay me back; it was to help him appreciate what things cost. He quickly realized that he couldn’t afford rent, utilities, or food,” she explains.
Online users flooded the comments section of her post, applauding her creative approach to discipline.
One commenter wrote, “Great job. Nothing in the agreement is cruel punishment but will teach him a lesson he will carry through life.”
Another shared, “I know you are not looking for praise nor disapproval, but I have to let you know, as a fellow mom, that I think you are amazing. You gave your son the opportunity to learn and grow.”
A third added, “Bravo to you for acting like a parent instead of a maid.”
‘Real World’
Addressing a few users who accused her of publicly shaming her son, Johnson posted again to clarify that she is “not ashamed” of what she wrote.
“A teenager is going to push their limits,” she begins. “They are in that developmental stage where one foot is starting to cross into adulthood while the other is still firmly planted in childhood… I cannot send this child into college or the workforce with the attitude of ‘I’ll get to it when I get to it’ when a superior tells him to complete a task. That is the real world.”
Johnson adds, “Nothing comes free. Someone is making a sacrifice somewhere down the line.”
What are your thoughts on this mom’s inventive parenting style? Please share your opinions with us, and then share this story to hear what others think!
