Dealing with a confident and sometimes rude teenager can be really tough for parents. Every parent has their own way of trying to teach their kids how to act better.
Heidi Johnson, a mom, wrote a letter by hand to her son, Aaron, and then posted it on Facebook. She never meant for it to become super popular or to be seen by everyone. It was just meant for her friends to read, but she’s glad she shared it and doesn’t mind that it’s out there for everyone to see.
In her letter to her 13-year-old son, Johnson told him off for acting like she was just a “roommate.” She even made a list of all the expenses like rent and food, which added up to more than $700. She said if he wanted to treat her like a roommate instead of his mom, then she would start doing the same thing.
Johnson wrote on the note, “Love Mom,” and she really cares about her son. She later made another post to share more details about what was happening. She also told parents who were upset with her that “I am not going to kick my 13-year-old out if he can’t pay his part of the rent. I don’t want him to pay anything. I just want him to feel proud of his home, his space, and to appreciate the good things we have.”
She mentioned that she never meant for Aaron to actually pay the bill. What she really wanted was for him to understand how much things cost. Johnson wrote the note to help her son see what life would be like if she were just a “roommate” instead of his “parent.” It was all about teaching him gratitude and respect right from the start.
Johnson shared that before she wrote the note, her son had been dishonest about finishing his homework. When she mentioned that she would limit his internet use, he replied, “Well, I am making money now.” She clarified that the money he was talking about came from his YouTube channel, but it wasn’t nearly enough to cover things like food and rent.
The public note has not hurt Johnson’s relationship with her son. She explained, “He and I still talk as openly as ever. He has apologized multiple times.”
Johnson has noticed that parents are reaching out to her for help ever since she shared that note with her son. She says, “It feels like my post has created a space where people feel comfortable coming to me for advice, sharing their feelings, or just wanting someone to listen to them. I also like to share a bit of my own experiences in return.”