Many adults know that “adulting” looks easier to kids than it really is. A cozy home, meals, and internet don’t appear out of nowhere—but children often don’t see the effort behind it.
In 2015, Heidi Johnson decided to teach her defiant 13-year-old son Aaron a lesson after he claimed he was “a free person” because he made a small income from YouTube and ignored his homework. Tired of his attitude, she wrote a “roommate contract” and posted it on Facebook, where it went viral.
“If you think you’re independent, then you can help pay for rent, utilities, and groceries,” she wrote, adding that he’d also need to cook and clean.
Aaron, angry at first, eventually came around, asking how he could earn his privileges back. Heidi explained it was never about money but teaching the value of responsibility. He quickly realized he couldn’t afford adult life.
Online, many praised her approach. One user said, “Nothing in the note is cruel—it’s a life lesson.” Some accused her of public shaming, but Heidi defended her actions, saying, “Teens are testing boundaries. My job is to prepare him for the real world, where nothing comes free.”
What do you think about her parenting method? Let us know and share this story with others!