Many teens believe they’re ready for the adult world—until they get a real glimpse of what that actually means. One mom found a clever way to teach her son just that, and her creative parenting approach has since resonated with families around the world.
Back in 2015, Heidi Johnson from Arizona faced a familiar parenting challenge. Her 13-year-old son, Aaron, had recently started earning money from his YouTube channel. Encouraged by his success, he began to feel a bit too independent. He started pushing back on household rules, claiming that since he was earning his own money, he shouldn’t have to follow the same expectations at home.
Instead of arguing or handing down a punishment, Heidi decided to give him a real-world lesson—one he wouldn’t forget.
She wrote him a “roommate contract” and left it in his room. The note explained that if he truly wanted to live like an adult, he’d need to take on adult responsibilities. She listed monthly “expenses” including rent ($430), internet ($21), electricity ($150), and food ($150). He’d also be responsible for buying his own toiletries and covering any personal needs. If he couldn’t pay, he’d need to earn credit through household chores—vacuuming, taking out the trash, and cleaning the bathroom.
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