Many kids grow up and decide the path they want to take. While some choose to go to college, others choose to go into the workforce immediately.
However, many kids choose to stay home and live with their parents during these times. Many parents decide to then charge their kids rent if they are adult/working ages. Some parents then keep that rent, others save it and give it back to their kids when they move out.
The idea of charging your adult children rent is nothing new. Many parents opt to do this to teach children the responsibilities of living on their own before they actually are living on their own.
Some would say that it is also very unfair, depending on the circumstances.
But don't worry, we're going to take a deep dive into one of these situations so you can decide for yourself what you think about it.
The mom wrote into popular mom blog "Mumsnet" asking if she was being unreasonable for her decision to charge her daughter rent, but not her son. The mom said that the two are on two different paths of life, which is why she's made the choice.
Apparently, the mom said her 17-year-old daughter is working "full-time" on an apprenticeship course. Due to this, they are charging her rent, keep, and petrol, which is about 25% of her "take home," or the money she is bringing home from her apprenticeship job.
Her son, 18, was "planning to leave college to get a job," but, has instead decided to accept the university offers he had gotten a while ago.
"As an aside he’s just split up with his GF of two years who was absolutely definitely in no way the reason he wasn’t going…" she wrote.
"So we will be in a position of taking money from [daughter] and sending money to [son]. Which has totally changed the dynamic."
"I’m really conscious of causing resentment from [daughter] who already suffers a bit with middle child syndrome and jealousy,"
So I'm sure this situation didn't help at all.
Many parents online said that the mom is insane for charging the daughter so much.
"Seems really mean and unfair. They’ve got plenty of time in life to pay rent and mortgages and bills. Glad my parents don’t have this thought process," one person said.
"An apprenticeship wage at that age is very very low and I’d consider her still in a form of education. I think funding one at uni whilst taking money off a low-wage apprentice is pretty [explicit] frankly," one person said.
"I'd save the money she gives you and give it to her when she is ready to move out as a nest egg she has built up, and add in an equal amount of the same value that you are sending to son to ensure it is fair," one person left in the comments.
"I would look at it no different to one working at the other not. If a child is earning money and has disposable income, it is only fair they pay rent."
"If they both had the same opportunities to go to university, I don't think you are being unfair," another person added.
What do you think about this whole situation? Do you think the mom is right or wrong?
Either way, let us know in the comment section! We would love to hear from you.
