“I’m Not Asking Them For Much”: Mom Asks Adult Children To Chip In On Rent, Daughter Says No

Rent can get expensive; many of us have experienced it firsthand. That’s why many young adults tend to stay under their parents’ roof until they get on their feet and are able to support themselves financially.

But some of said adults take a little longer than others to move out, which can become quite a burden for their parents. Take this redditor, a single mom of two, for instance; having supported her kids for over 20 years, the woman decided it was time to charge her working adult children rent. But one of them was more willing to pitch in than the other. You can find the full story in the mom’s own words below.

Some parents might find it difficult to support their adult children

Woman in patterned blouse on phone, looking thoughtful about rent discussions.

Image credits: rawpixel.com/Freepik (not the actual photo)

This woman asked her two adult kids to pitch in on household expenses, but they weren’t equally supportive of the idea

Text discussing a mom asking her adult children to help with rent.

Text discussing child support ending at age 18 while still in school, related to a mom asking adult children for rent help.

Text discussing a mom asking adult children to contribute to rent, explaining her request for monthly household expense help.

Text discussing a mom asking adult children to contribute to rent; one daughter insists it's mom's job to support her.

Calculating rent contributions with a calculator and cash on a wooden table, highlighting family financial planning.

Image credits: olia danilevich/Pexels (not the actual photo)

Text excerpt discussing a mother's request for adult children to contribute $100 weekly for groceries and utilities.

Text image discussing mom asking adult children to pay rent, daughter considering quitting job to avoid it.

Image credits: New-Map-6851

In some countries, many people live with their parents until they reach 25 or even 30 years of age

Image credits: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels (not the actual photo)

Oftentimes, becoming an adult goes hand in hand with having to pay for an increasing number of things. Expensive things, too. Groceries, gas, rent—such expenses add up, and to make matters worse, they’re never-ending. That’s why some adults may not want—or be able—to leave their parents’ home at an early age, not without having a stable job or enough income to support themselves, at least.

Data shared by the European Parliament reveals that in Europe, for instance, young adults move out of their family home at the age of 26.3 years on average. But the number varies greatly depending on the country: in Finland, for instance, young adults leave home at 21.4 years of age on average, while in Croatia, the number increases to 31.8.

According to the Pew Research Center, young adults in the US are less likely to live with their parents compared to their European counterparts. The center’s survey from 2021 found that in the US, roughly one in three adults aged 18 to 34 still live under one roof with a parent, while in aforementioned Croatia, for example, more than three-quarters of the same age group do.

A survey of nearly 23,000 Gen Zers and millennials from 44 countries, carried out by Deloitte, revealed that roughly three in ten of them don’t feel financially secure, and around six in ten live paycheck to paycheck. Asked about the main concerns they have in life, representatives of the two generations shared that the cost of living topped the list, followed by concerns over climate change, unemployment, mental health, and crime or personal safety.

Close to half of parents in the UK ask their children to pitch in on rent

Image credits: Mikhail Nilov/Pexels (not the actual photo)

Unfortunately, sometimes, the cost of living can make it difficult to make ends meet even with a full-time job, especially in places where rent is rather high. In the comments under her post, the OP shared that she and her kids lived in Ontario, Canada, and nowadays, the rent there reportedly ranges from CA$800 to CA$10,500, depending on the number of bedrooms and the property type.

The numbers mean that the average rent price per week would range from CA$200 to CA$2,625, which is at least two times more expensive than what the OP asked her kids to pitch in every week. While some might consider the mom’s request unacceptable, many people see nothing wrong with parents expecting their adult children to cover at least part of the household expenses.

According to a UK cashback savings app, TopCashback, close to half of parents in the country ask their offspring to pitch in on rent, The Independent reports. As living costs rise, close to a third of those who haven’t yet requested such a thing from their children believe that they soon might have to; and according to a number of Reddit users, that doesn’t make the parents jerks. They shared their thoughts in the comments under the OP’s post.

Quite a few netizens thought that the daughter needed a lesson on financial responsibility

Discussion about adult children contributing to rent and chores.

Text conversation about a mom asking adult children to pay rent, with daughter refusing and mentioning quitting job.

Text discussion about a mom asking adult children for rent contribution.

Text response listing options for Emma to contribute to rent or find alternative living arrangements.

Text comment suggesting an adult child should move out for real life experience, related to mom asking for rent help.

Text on a Reddit post discussing a mom asking adult children to contribute to rent; mentions $400 for rent and groceries.

Reddit comment discussing financial responsibility and adult children contributing to rent.

Text exchange about a mom asking adult children to contribute rent; daughter refuses, considering quitting her job.

Text discussing adult children, rent, and eviction proceedings advice.

Reddit comment discussing eligibility for assistance related to work status.

Reddit comment suggesting a deadline for adult children to contribute to rent.

Reddit comment on adult children and rent: "She is 25, she is ready to move out lol.

A couple of people believed that the mom was in the wrong for asking her kids to pay rent though

Text post discussing a mother's request for adult children to contribute to rent.

Comment criticizing a mom asking adult children to pay rent, calling it peak boomerism.

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