A mother spoke out on Facebook after punishing her 13-year-old son who started feeling a sense of entitlement after earning some money from his YouTube videos.
As the teen’s attitude has gotten worse and the boy became more and more arrogant and rude, Heidi decided to put her foot down and set clear boundaries. She also prepared an ultimatum in order to teach her entitled son a very important life-long lesson.
“The child is going to have a rude awakening today after the words he exchanged with me last night. Not only will he find this on the door, but his mattress stripped, and the toys and clothes that I bought confiscated,” the mother wrote in a Facebook post where she attached the letter.
“He will have three options… Buy his own, rent his clothes at $3 a day, or renegotiate his terms of being a child. Mama’s done playing games and being a doormat.”
Soon enough, the post went viral with thousands of parents applauding Heidi for being able to stand up to her own son’s attitude and disrespectful actions.
After a while, Heidi also shared an update and explained how her 13-year-old son accepted the ultimatum she’s given him.
“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,” Heidi wrote.
“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 he could 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 every day. He also had some pillows and sheets, just not his favorite ones.”
Later on, the mother also expressed that things have taken a positive turn despite the boy still being a work in progress.
“This incident just happened last week. It has made a difference though. When I ask him to do something, he does it. Today, I was down for count sick. When he got home from school, we discussed his day, looked over homework and grades, and then he asked me to write out a list of what I needed him to do today.
“He did those tasks, and I allowed him a little bit of screen time. I keep all the electronics, and allow him to use it during the time I allocate it. If he doesn’t give it back when I say time is up, he won’t be able to have screen time again for a while. He can earn back some of his other items instead,” Heidi said.
Besides the letter that she wrote and shared online, Heidi also prepared a contract which outlined the teen’s obligations and responsibilities and required his signature.
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