Mum claims 18-year-old daughter 'lashed out' after she asked her to pay £75 a month for bills
A mum has taken to the internet to seek advice on getting her 18-year-old daughter daughter to contribute towards the monthly bills.
The woman divided online opinion after revealing that the teen ‘lashed out’ when asked to contribute more money towards household bills on the UK parenting site Mumsnet.
She explained that her daughter finished college last year and, while on a break, was earning around £800 a month at a well-known supermarket.
The parenting situation started happily enough, with her daughter contributing £50 towards bills and giving her mother access to the staff discounts and perks she enjoyed - which she admits was 'saving me quite a bit on the shopping'.
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However, after a falling out with her manager, she quit her supermarket job on the spot due to it being 'stressful' and joined her boyfriend working at a fast food restaurant.
This career shift resulted in her 'earning less there than she was before'.
Now being forced to pay full price at the supermarket checkout, the mother started to struggle financially and asked her daughter for an extra £25 a month - taking the monthly total to £75.
The mum explained that the increase is 'actually less than I would have saved with the discount'.
But because her daughter is earning upwards of £500 a month, 'she can afford it'.
"I get she needs to save but I feel like what I’m asking isn’t unreasonable," the mum reasoned.
But the 18-year-old wasn't at all happy at the request for extra money, branding her request 'mean and horrible'.
She explained her reaction: "She’s lashed out at me and said that it’s not fair because she’s earning less why should she have to pay more, and that I’m being mean and horrible basically.
"She's saying that I’m penalising her for switching jobs.’
The mum's post was met with a huge reaction, with most people supporting her decision to ask her daughter for more money.
However, a small percentage disagreed with her actions and charging 'a child' for ‘something a parent should do for free’ - especially since her daughter earns less at her new gig.
"100 percent you are being reasonable in charging her £75 a month. If she doesn’t like it then tell her to buy her own food and charge her a proportion of all the other bills," one commented.
While another commented: "You are not being unreasonable. £75 A MONTH!!!!! I would love her to be able to point to anywhere where she would be able to live for £75 a month.
"Do not back down. She should still be able to save with that amount."
But a few readers didn’t agree, with one saying a parent should never ask their child for money: "I'll never understand parents who make their children pay rent, whatever age they are it just seems odd to me.
"You should never charge your child for something a parent should do for free."
Another had a more balanced response: "It depends if you need the money. I don't charge my daughter any rent as we don't really need the contribution and I would rather she saved it for her future.
"If I did need the money I would charge but I think you are being a bit petty about the discount card thing."
Amelia Jones