A couple from Texas shared on TikTok that they have been charging their teenage daughter monthly rent. They say they made the decision because their teen graduated high school and decided not to go to college. “It’s $200 for rent if she wants to buy her own groceries, $300 if she wants to eat here,” the parents shared in their video.
Erica and Cody Archie said they didn’t want their daughter to go to college on a whim, but still wanted her to work and learn responsibility. “We didn’t want her to go to college ‘just because,'” Cody said, per Today. “Her plan changed all year long. All kids are not ready at the same time to go to college. If you don’t know what you want to do, work until you figure it out,” Erica added.
“I told her and I have been telling her for the past couple of months that ‘hey June the first your rent is due if you’re going to continue to live here,’” Cody said in the TikTok video. “Two hundred bucks a month is plenty cheap to live like a grub in your parents house,” he added.
“The purpose behind [charging her rent] was to get her to realize that everything is not free … and start to prepare her for adulthood. As you go into the workforce, you’re going to have to be responsible for your own rent and food,” Cody said, reported Fox Business.
The Archies’ daughter, Kylee, accepted her parents’ offer and lived with them and paid rent for nine months, reported Fox Business. “I think she has gained more perspective on how much things in the real world cost,” her mother Erika said.
Kylee now lives with her aunt and babysits for her instead of paying rent, reported Today. Erika said, “Kylee doesn’t have any hard feelings toward us, and she learned that living as an adult isn’t free.”
A study conducted by mortgage company Lending Tree showed that 32% of millennials and Gen-Zers moved home with their parents during the pandemic and still live with them.
This is reportedly largely due to the need to pay off debt and save for a deposit on a home. Home prices soared after the pandemic, but most people did not see any wage increases.
TikTok users are divided over the parents’ approach to teaching their teen responsibility.
Though $200 is obviously a steal for rent and many agree that teaching teens responsibility is important, TikTok users had differing opinions on these parents’ approach to doing so. Some users applauded the idea.
“I think it’s a great idea!” wrote one commenter. “Teaches them responsibility and what the real world will be like! I love the idea!”
Others disagreed with the approach the Archies took.
“For me it’s a no,” commented one parent. “My bills were here before them and will be there after them. Now they can pick up some TP or supplies time to time but no 4 me.”
Another wrote: “A definite no for me … I know it’s rare, but I will forever help my kids … no matter the age.”