Parenting a disrespectful teenager is never easy, and different parents have different strategies for managing their children’s behavior.
Heidi Johnson, a mom, decided to address her 13-year-old son Aaron’s behavior with a handwritten letter, which she later shared on Facebook. Initially meant for her friends, the post unexpectedly went viral, but Johnson doesn’t regret it.
In the letter, Johnson called out her son for treating her like a “roommate” rather than his mother. To make her point, she presented him with an itemized bill for rent, food, and other expenses totaling over $700. If he wanted to act like a roommate, she was ready to do the same.
The letter ended with “Love, Mom,” showing that her actions came from a place of love. In a follow-up post, Johnson provided more context and addressed criticism from other parents. She clarified, “I am not going to put my 13-year-old on the street if he can’t pay his half of the rent. I don’t expect him to pay anything. I want him to take pride in his home, his space, and appreciate the gifts and blessings we have.”
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