When we are very young, we likely think that our parents know everything in the world but as we get a little older, we start to think that we know everything. Of course, we eventually get old enough to learn that our parents really do have a lot of wisdom but for a few years in our lives, we may be living on shaky ground. Those years tend to happen when we are a teenager and start to flex our independence. Sometimes we may even tend to go a little bit too far.
When a mother had this type of experience with her 13-year-old son, she decided that she was not going to take things lying down. She wanted him to be independent but at the same time, she also knew that he had to live by the rules. She decided to write a letter and when she posted it online, it spread like wildfire. She only wanted her friends and family to see it but it went viral in the biggest way.
We don’t know much about the 13-year-old boy aside from the fact that his name is Aaron. We also know that the letter talked about ‘greater consequences’ for treating his mother like a doormat.
She let him know in no uncertain terms that if he didn’t start taking responsibility and acting more like a son, she was going to be billing him for his part of everything. That included the food that he ate, the maid service that she provided and even the rent.
Here is some of what she said to her son:
Dear Aaron,
Since you seem to have forgotten that you are only 13 and I’m the parent, and that you won’t be controlled, I guess you will need to learn a lesson in independence. Also, as you threw in my face that you are making money now, it will be easier to buy back all the items I bought for you in the past.
If you would like your lamp/lightbulbs or access to the internet, you will need to pay your share of costs:
Rent: $430
Electricity: $116
Internet: $21
Food: $150
Also, you will need to empty the trash Mon, Wed & Friday as well as sweep and vacuum those days. You will need to keep your bathroom clean weekly, prepare your own meals and clean up after yourself. If you fail to do so I will charge you a $30 maid fee for every day I have to do it.
If you decide you would rather be MY CHILD again instead of a roommate, we can negotiate terms.
Love,
Mom
The letter went viral quickly and received tens of thousands of likes and was shared well over 100,000 times. She sent out the second letter to say that she wrote that first note for a very specific reason.
“Why publicly shame him? I’m not. It was an accident. I meant to post to just family and friends; and yesterday I couldn’t figure out why I had over 100 friend requests. I actually thought maybe my account got hacked or something. Yes, I could take it down, but so many people have already read and seen it at this point.”
There were many people who were behind her 100% for her parenting skills. Others thought that she was too harsh. She ended up establishing a contract with rules for her son to follow.
“I’m not a bully dictator trying to ‘control’ my child. I’m a parent to has every RIGHT to have rules, expectations, and consequences for my child.”
