Hi All

You really would think it was the end of the world in my house at the moment, I am the worst mother going.

My crime, to increase my boys monthly rent.

They are both working earning over 16 grand each and have been paying £60 a month for two years, I have been telling them for a long time how much it would cost if they had to rent somewhere and pay all their bills plus food etc, they just laugh it off.

I have now insisted it is increased to £100 each a month, I think still cheap for everything they get, basically they don't lift a finger, one can make a bacon sandwich at a push the other can heat a can of baked beans, neither would have a clue how to work a washing machine or make a bed.

Don't get me wrong they are decent boys never given me a moments trouble.

I know its my fault and I should have made them do more when they were younger, my foster boy aged 9 is more domesticated than them, I can't afford to make the same mistake with him.

So for now sulking all round, but I'm sure they will still go clubbing and manage to run their cars.

What a shame.

Anne xl

Neither do I, Rich. You've got to pay for all their stuff, which just isn't fair. I don't think £200 a month would be out of order.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Oh Anne

Do not feel guilty. It is wrong that they expect it. My 30 yr lives with me in only earns on average
£150 a week but I do take £30 off him every Friday. Also an additional £30 at Christmas as he
eats and drinks all the food bought. I am aware that prob is not enough but I still do it.

I left my Mums home in 1978 and I paid £10 then (so more than half my wages) .

Hi All

Thanks for your replies.

Yes I know I have been too soft over the years and I havn't done them any favours by doing too much for them. I am learning that lesson now.

Blimey, if I suddenly said £200 a month (I'm laughing just thinking about it) I'd have total up roar on my hands.

I will just have to apologise to any future wife, that its my fault they are so unable to do the basics in life.

Anne x

Hi Paula,

Your as soft as me, 'not charging her when she was away on holiday' we have to pay the mortgage when we are on holiday.

Anne x

My daughter was up in arms when her brother (2 years younger) started to earn and I wanted to charge him £50 per week for bills and food (6 years ago) She had been at uni (living at home) and I hadn’t charged her any at all. I was planning to start once she left uni – hence her displeasure!!!!!!!!!!!
We had one of those ‘heated discussions’ where I pointed out I would be very sad if she moved out – but fully understood – although I thought she may find it difficult to get such a good deal elsewhere!

It was when she had bought her own home she came to me and said ‘Mum – I’m so glad you did what you did – it wasn’t such a massive shock when I had my own mortgage, bills etc – my friends had no clue - just how much it was going to cost them’

It’s so difficult at the time and I felt like I was being very hard on her but it paid off because she learnt the true cost of living. (I gave what she had paid me back to her when she bought her first car (also did the same for my son)! So am I soft too?)

Stick with it Annie - they will appreciate it in time to come!

We've got it made Jenni! Board and lodgings with Anne at £100 a month!! Crikey let's get those cruise tickets booked.

Lyn x

Oh! How I loved this quote

"where I pointed out I would be very sad if she moved out – but fully understood – although I thought she may find it difficult to get such a good deal elsewhere!"

I too charged my off-spring, as soon as the started part-time jobs, and Yes - I was the Wicked Witch of the West. Some years later, my daughter moved out into rented accomadation with her boyfriend, and later told me how grateful she was that I had done it, as she was well aware of houw much every thing cost, and her fella, who'd never paid a cent to his parents, REALLY struggled with the finances.

So hang on in there! I'd even suggest you tell them it will be reviewed every year! Maybe 150 next year, 200 the next ...