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.”
The Superstar Asks A Little Girl To Sing “You Raise Me Up”. Seconds Later, I Can’t Believe My Eyes
The iconic performer’s audacious leap of faith will go down in entertainment history books.
All eyes were on the star in the limelight as the stage was prepared and the audience buzzed with excitement.
The superstar decided to share the spotlight with a naive, innocent little girl, and it was worth it!
The superstar reached out a welcoming hand to the young prodigy, whose pure charisma was ready to electrify the whole stadium, and a smile spread across their face as they did so.
With a mix of anticipation and anxiety, the girl cautiously made her way to the center of the stage, where soft applause shut the audience’s whispers.
Standing there for a split second, the young girl took in the bizarre reality of the scenario, microphone in hand.
The celebrity, seeing promise in this modest ability, filled the room with a feeling of unity. The superstar then encouraged the girl to show the world her talent.
All of the hearts in the room were surprised by her voice—her purity and its force. Beaming with delight, the superstar observed as the small child turned the stage into a magical playground.
A symphony of adoration resounded throughout the venue as the once-mute whispers rose to a crescendo of resounding ovation.
The girl’s voice was a surprising emotional power that shocked the crowd and kept their undivided attention. With every second, the small superstar not only met but surpassed every expectation, as each lyric she sung echoed through the hall.
Unexpectedly, the superstars found themselves sharing the limelight not merely as a gesture of kindness but also to recognize a rising star who had recently made her grand entrance into the world of show showbiz.
The audience’s reaction to the sudden display of genius was so moving that the applause eventually rose to a standing ovation.
A young girl, escorted by the famous star, brought the house down in the span of a few minutes, touching the lives of all who were there to hear it.
The remarkable impact of a superstar’s decision to share their stage with an aspiring performer, regardless of their age, was on full display, demonstrating the power of talent to change lives and the beauty of the moment.
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