Every adolescent goes through an “independent”stage. It may be easy to laugh in a few years, but bouts of disrespect and disregard can seem downright overwhelming in the moment – especially for a single parent.
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A woman named Heidi Johnson has gotten lots of attention recently because of a “tough love”note she wrote to her son last week. It seems the 13-year-old had forgotten his roots after a meager amount of financial success. Heidi posted this photo along with an explanation to facebook last week that has already been shared over 150,000 times.
via facebook
The note reads:
Dear Aaron,
Since you seem to have forgotten you are only 13, and I’m the parent, and that you won’t be controlled, I guess you will need 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 own share of costs.
Rent – $430
Electricity – $116
Internet – $21
Food – $150
Also, you will need to empty the trash Mon, Wed, and 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’d rather be my child again, instead of roommate, we can renegotiate terms.
Love, Mom
Before he received the mandate, Heidi’s son made it abundantly clear that he was above correction, responsibility and apparently, respect for his hardworking mom. Heidi had enough of his belligerent attitude and decided to show him the difference between living as a child and living as a roommate.
As can be expected, Heidi’s son didn’t take the news too well.
“He came home, saw the note, crumpled it on the floor, and stormed out of the apartment. I have always encouraged him to take a walk when he is upset so that he can collect his thoughts so when we try to talk, we are able to talk, and not just yell at each other. I do the same thing- sometimes, I just need to walk away and collect myself. I am not above admitting that. He was still livid when he got home. He decided to stage a “sit in” in my room, where he did laugh at me and repeat, “Really? What are you going to do? You can’t take my stuff, etc”. He was asked to leave my room, and when he could be respectful, and I was more calm, we would discuss it further. He went to his room, and after about an hour, he had removed some electronics and items I missed that he felt he should have to earn back for his behavior. He apologized, and asked what could he do to make things better and start earning items back. He earned his comforter and some clothes right back. I did leave him some clothes to begin with, just not the ones he would want to wear everyday. He also had some pillows and sheets, just not his favorite ones.”
Sometimes you don’t know what you have till it’s gone – I know I’ve learned that lesson, and learned it well, several times over… and it’s a good thing I did. Cheers to Heidi for showing her son the meaning of respect, consideration and humbleness the moment he began to act out.
No one ever said parenting was easy. Here’s to the single moms and dads out there that show their kids some tough love for their own good.
Share Heidi’s brilliant “roommate contract” today!
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