Raising teenagers in the age of the Internet and all of this technology is no cinch. For one Tempe, AZ mother at her wit’s end, it may have made her a hero to mothers everywhere. Heidi Johnson was completely fed up with her 13-year-old son’s “disrespectful” behavior. Her son, Aaron, was falling behind on his schoolwork, refusing to help with household chores and mouthing off to his mother with regularity. At one of her lowest points, Heidi decided enough was enough and penned this now-viral letter which she pinned to his bedroom door. Mom wrote to her wayward kiddo, “Dear Aaron Since you seem to have forgotten you are only thirteen, 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 and lightbulbs or access to the internet, you will need to pay your share of costs.”
Then Johnson proceeded to divide up his “share” of the household bills. Going forward, her newly minted adult roommate was going to be responsible for $116 a month in rent, $21 a month for Internet access, and $150 a month for groceries. While these numbers were nowhere close to what it actually costs to raise a teenager in one of America’s most popular metro areas? Johnson hoped it would drive home the point that being independent is not all it’s cracked up to be. But the fed-up mom didn’t stop there! She continued in the letter that he was going to have additional responsibilities or penalties would be incurred, spelling it out in a rather plain language. The mouthy teenager would be expected to empty the trash Mondays, Wednesdays. and Fridays as well as sweep and vacuum those days. He would also need to keep his bathroom cleaned weekly, prepare his own meals, and clean up after himself. If he failed to do so, she would charge him a $30 maid fee for every day she had to do it. If he decided he would rather be a child again, instead of a roommate, they could renegotiate terms.
Signing her note, Love Mom, Johnson was not prepared for the overwhelming response that she received from sharing her actions online. While many mothers of teens around the world raised their hands in solidarity, other parents criticized the move as overly harsh and attention-seeking rather than effective parenting. Critics point out that her son will now have to deal with a viral post about one of his not so finest hours for the rest of his life, while supporters feel that it’s meeting the kid where he was at, using a method of correction that he can understand. While Johnson says she has no regrets, these viral shots heard around the world still have people talking at the water cooler. As a mom of three teenagers, I found this mom’s rock bottom moment completely relatable, if a little over the top in its execution and follow-through. What do you think? Was Johnson overly tough on her recalcitrant teenage son? Or was this more of the tough-love approach today’s kids are missing? Be sure to follow this page and leave your thoughts and comments under this article. Of course, we ask, like Ms. Johnson did, that you are not disrespectful or your note on the wall may be deleted.
