Being a parent to an arrogant, disrespectful adolescent is not easy, and various parents use different methods to convince their children to behave.

One mother, Heidi Johnson, wrote a handwritten note to her son, Aaron, and posted it on Facebook. She did not plan for the post to go viral. She hadn’t even intended to make the post public. She intended it for her friends to view, but she has no regrets about posting it or making it public.

In a letter to her 13-year-old son, Johnson chastised him for treating her like a “roommate.” She went on to provide him with an itemized account for rent, food, and other expenses totaling more than $700. If he treated her like a roommate rather than his mother, she would reciprocate.

Johnson signed the card, “Love Mom,” and she genuinely loves her kid. She followed up with another post that provided some context for the incident. She also promised her parents, who were condemning her, that “I will not put my 13-year-old on the street if he is unable to pay his half of the rent.” I do not want him to pay anything. I want him to be proud of his home and thankful for our blessings.

She also stated that she never meant for Aaron to pay the amount. She wanted him to “gain an appreciation of what things cost.” Johnson penned the email to ensure that her kid knew “what life would be like if I were not his ‘parent,’ but rather a ‘roommate.'” It was a lesson in thanks and respect from the outset.”

Johnson also claimed that before she wrote the email, her son had lied about finishing his schoolwork, and when she informed him she was going to limit his internet access, he said, “Well, I am making money now.” She stated that the money he was talking about was a small portion of his YouTube channel revenue, but it was insufficient to cover food and rent.

Johnson’s connection with her son has been unaffected by the public note. She stated, “He and I continue to converse as openly as ever.” He has apologized several times.”

Since posting the message to her kid, Johnson has also received inquiries from parents seeking assistance. She elaborates: “My post seems to have opened a door, and people feel safe coming to me and asking for advice, venting, or even just having someone bear witness to their experience by listening and opening up and sharing a piece of myself in return.”