It’s no secret that children often think they know everything. As a parent, this can be incredibly frustrating. One mother, using the pseudonym Estella Havisham on Facebook, decided it was time to teach her 13-year-old son a lesson about acting his age.
Estella’s intention was for her Facebook post to only be seen by her friends and family. However, she accidentally made it public, and before she knew it, her letter had gone viral. People from all over the world resonated with her message of setting boundaries and expectations for our children.
In the letter, Estella confronted her son, Aaron, for trying to be an adult before his time. Fed up with him making his own rules, she laid out a plan for him to learn independence. She required him to contribute to the household expenses, including the food bill and rent. She even mentioned a “maid service” fee for the tasks she had been doing.
While some commenters thought Estella was too strict, many applauded her for her parenting approach. The letter was shared 160,000 times and received 85,000 likes on Facebook. Estella addressed the criticism by explaining that she never intended to humiliate her son in public, but the post had already gained traction.
Fortunately, the letter seems to have had a positive impact on their relationship. Estella and Aaron have now established a contract with guidelines that he follows. This demonstrates the power of setting expectations and consequences as a parent.
Parenting is about finding the balance between love and discipline. Estella believes in her right to set rules and expectations for her child. And it seems she made a significant impact on her son’s behavior.
Do you think Estella went too far? Or do you support her in exercising her parental authority? Share your thoughts below and spread the word by sharing this article with others who may find it inspiring.
