Most adults know that being a grown-up isn’t as simple as it seems to a child.
Kids might see things like food in the fridge, a comfy home, and unlimited internet, but they often don’t understand the work it takes to have those things. One mom decided to teach her disrespectful son a funny, “real world” lesson to show him that “nothing comes for free.”
In 2015, Heidi Johnson was struggling with her defiant 13-year-old son, Aaron. She explained that Aaron “wanted the benefits of growing up without the responsibility that comes with it.”
Aaron had started making a little bit of money as a YouTuber and thought he didn’t have to follow his mom’s rules about doing his homework. He even stormed out of her room, saying he was a “free person” because he was “making money.”
In response to his behavior, the single mother wrote a “tough love” letter to Aaron and shared it on Facebook. Almost ten years later, her post has gone viral again.
Johnson’s note begins, “Since you seem to have forgotten that you’re only 13, and I’m the parent, and that you don’t want to be controlled, I guess you need a lesson in independence.” In what she called a “roommate contract,” she laid out the rules Aaron would need to follow if he wanted to act like an adult.
She continued, “Since you’re earning money now, it should be easier for you to pay back for everything I’ve bought for you.” Johnson added that if he wanted things like his lamp, lightbulbs, or access to the internet, he’d have to pay his part of the costs.
In her letter, Johnson listed the conditions Aaron would need to follow, including paying for rent and utilities. She also expected him to cook his own meals and help with regular cleaning around the house.
Johnson signed the letter, “Love, Mom.”
Taking Action
Living in Venice, Italy, Johnson shared that when Aaron saw the letter taped to his door, he crumpled it up, threw it on the floor, and stormed out of their apartment.
Johnson felt he just needed some time to think—and she used that time to start taking back some of the things from his room.
Once Aaron had time to think, he asked his mom what he could do to start re-earning his privileges. He even gathered more items from his room and handed them to her, asking how he could earn them back.
Johnson explained that this was never about making him pay her back; it was about teaching him to understand the cost of things. Aaron quickly realized he couldn’t afford rent, utilities, or food on his own.
Online commenters supported her approach, praising her for her creative discipline style. One person wrote, “Great job! Nothing in the agreement is harsh, but it will teach him a lesson he’ll remember.” Another said, “You’re an amazing mom for giving your son a chance to learn and grow.” A third comment added, “Bravo for being a parent and not just a maid.”
Some people accused her of publicly shaming her son. In response, Johnson wrote another post saying she was “not ashamed” of what she did.
“A teenager will push their limits,” she explained. “They’re in a stage where they’re stepping into adulthood but still rooted in childhood… I can’t send this child into college or the workforce with an attitude of ‘I’ll get to it when I feel like it’ when a boss asks him to get a job done. That’s how the real world works.”
Johnson ended by saying, “Nothing in life is free. Somewhere, someone is making a sacrifice.”
Singеr Неlрs Тhоsе Idеntifying Аs Аnimаls Вy Lеаving Littеr Вохеs In Тhе Rеstrооms
If there is one thing that people seem to love online, it’s seeing something controversial. The moment that they have the opportunity to argue about something, they are going to jump in with both feet and start a debate.
This includes one artist on TikTok who has sparked a lot of controversy with her gender-defying activities. Dorian Electra has gotten a lot of attention on that social media platform, but now she has taken things to a new level and is going completely viral.
That United States Singer has gotten the attention she desires on TikTok by putting litter boxes in public restrooms. She does this when she is on tour because she wants to include everyone who is at her concerts.
Most of the people who go to these concerts are gay, but she doesn’t want to leave anyone out. She decided to post this on TikTok, announcing that litter boxes would be provided in all bathrooms on their tour for any concertgoers who identify as animals.
It even went on to say: “Now that’s inclusivity in action.” She gave a big thumbs up.
As she walks up to the bathroom door, you can see that she is standing outside of an ‘all gender restroom’. She takes a sharpie and crosses out the word gender and writes in the word species.
That is when she carries the litter box into the bathroom and puts it on the floor next to the toilet. In a video posted later, they say that they will be cleaning the litter boxes after each show.
This video sparked a lot of controversy and people were arguing on both sides of the debate. It will be interesting to see where this one goes next.
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