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.”
At 65, Madonna praised as the “most beautiful” woman in the world after sharing sultry photos
It’s difficult to believe that Madonna is now 65 years old. It feels like only yesterday that the Queen of Pop burst onto the scene, and ever since she’s been entertaining millions of people the world over every year.
At present, Madonna is on her much-anticipated Celebration Tour, having recovered from the nasty bacterial infection that left her hospitalized earlier this year.
Recent snaps of the Like a Virgin singer were met with widespread praise among her legion of fans, as the 65-year-old continues to prove that age is just a number… and that she’s far from done with regards to being a prominent force in the music industry.
Fans were right to be concerned earlier this year in summer, when Madonna was suddenly hospitalized.
Initial reports were worrying enough, but it soon became apparent that her health scare was even more grave than first thought.
The Queen of Pop had been set to embark on her highly anticipated Celebration Tour in Vancouver on July 15 – which would have seen her perform her best hits from 1983 to now in 53 shows across North America and Europe – but was forced to postpone it after she was rushed to hospital with a bacterial infection.
Initial reports revealed Madonna had been found unresponsive on Saturday, June 24, and was subsequently to a New York City hospital where she was intubated.
Not long after, a relative of the Grammy winning artist told Entertainment Tonight that her family had been “preparing for the worst” after the news first broke. “For the past couple of days, no one really knew which direction this was going to turn, and her family was preparing for the worst,” they said.
“That is why it was kept a secret since Saturday,” they added. “Everyone believed that we may lose her, and that has been the reality of the situation.”
Radar Online, meanwhile, revealed that Madonna’s stint in hospital was more severe than initially thought – medics who treated the unresponsive star at her apartment were reportedly forced to administer a NARCAN injection.
Fortunately, the singer was eventually released from hospital and could continue her recovery at home. Her aforementioned Celebration Tour is now in full swing, with the Vogue star gaining widespread praise for her looks after uploading a series of photos from her tour.
According to reports, the Paris, France leg of Madonna’s tour attracted particular attention, with fans showering her with compliments. One even dubbed her “the most beautiful woman in the world.”
One person wrote on Twitter: “How is this woman sixty five years old? Please share your secrets with us and your filter. QUEEN 👸👑“
Another wrote: “You look like a woman of 35 years old”
A third added: “THE most famous woman ever in front of a lens. Still the most exotic, most beguiling thing I’ve ever seen ❤️🔥“
Famous fashion designer Donatella Versace, meanwhile, praised her long time friend as being “the most beautiful”.
What do you think? Do you agree that Madonna looks astonishingly good for her age? Let us know!
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