Mom insists her adult daughter pay rent to help with expenses — and the internet is backing her up

Charging rent from adult children is a topic that sparks a lot of debate. Some believe that as long as they’re living at home, they should contribute, while others feel parents should support their kids until they’re fully independent. One mother recently found herself at odds with her daughter over this exact issue. Reddit user u/New-Map-6851, a 49-year-old mother has two adult children, Emma, 25, and Ian, 23, who both still live at home. She and their father divorced 12 years ago, and while she had received child support until they turned 18, their father stopped payments once they became legal adults.

"Their father had paid it willingly so it wasn’t arranged through the courts. This is why he stopped at 18 even though they were both technically still in school," she explained. Now, years later, both Emma and Ian work full-time and have no student debt, but neither has moved out. The mother has been asking them to contribute a set amount towards household expenses, but only Ian agrees. "Emma thinks it’s my responsibility as her mother to support her financially until she’s ready to move out," she wrote in her post.

She insists she’s not trying to profit off them, just making sure she can save for her own future. "I’d be happy with $100 each a week to cover their share of groceries, utilities, and household supplies. I buy all the groceries, laundry detergent, toilet paper, etc., for the house. They are responsible for their cars and related expenses, cell phones, and personal toiletries." However, Emma refuses to pay and justifies it by saying that some of her friends live at home for free. "But those friends also live in a home with both parents working," the mother noted.

Emma even took it a step further. "My daughter has actually said she will quit her job and go on social assistance just so she can’t afford to pay me rent." The situation sparked a discussion online, with people overwhelmingly siding with the mother. u/artistnerd856 noted, "I was prepared to say yta until I read it but oh my. Your daughter is TA. She wants to quit her job just so she can't afford to pay you rent? Then she can move out." u/bokatan778 wrote, "NTA, but honestly I think it would be best for everyone if Emma moved out. Give her a 30 or 60-day notice. She desperately needs to experience real life."

u/houseonpost added, "If they were going to school I wouldn't charge rent. But given they are working there should be a nominal rent. $400 for rent and groceries etc is very reasonable. I'd be more assertive and tell, not ask. Sounds like Ian will pay which will make it seem easier to get Emma to pay. I'd change the password on the internet and give it only to people who pay their rent. Time to unfeather the nest." u/ConstantAffect4798 shared, "I had a deal with my parents as soon as I stopped education I had to start contributing. It wasn’t a lot £200-£300 a month ($250-$375) which allowed me to still save up for my own place and do what I wanted to like trips or buying a car etc. Teaching financial responsibility isn’t easy. Good luck!"