We charge our kid rent - it’s cheap to live like a grub in your parent’s house

“It’s not about the money. It’s about preparing them for what is to come.”

The Texas family have caused a stir online. Picture: bar7ranch/TikTok, Instagram

A mum and dad have ignited a heated debate after deciding to charge their child rent for living at home after graduating high school.

Cody and Erika, parents to two kids in Texas, were elated when they celebrated their daughter's high school graduation. 

However, after hearing she may not want to attend university, they started debating whether they should charge her rent to live with them, and it caused quite the divide.

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Parents started charging their daughter rent after graduating high school

The conversation has been going on for a few months, Cody explained in the clip.

“I have been telling her for the last couple [of] months that the first year rent’s due if you’re gonna continue to live here.”

Erika hit back: “I thought that was a little harsh.”  

The dad-of-two conceded it may have been a little too far, but he wasn't backing down, explaining he would charge his daughter US$200 (AU$304) per month to stay with her family.

“Two hundred bucks a month is plenty cheap to live like a grub in your parent’s house,” he defended. 

To that, Erika agreed, adding it was “cheaper than what she eats in food or anyone eats.” 

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That got Cody thinking before bumping up the price.

“Exactly,” he said.  “Well, it’s $300 (AU$456) if she wants to eat here out of the fridge, " he said.

"Two hundred if she wants to buy her own groceries.” 

While this is s tough conversation for the parents to have, they came to the conclusion that it was the best choice for their family.

To Erika and Cody, charging their daughter $200 or $300 every month means more than just a dose of cash into the bank account. 

“We think it teaches them a good lesson in paying bills,” Erika argued.  

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Erika and Cody said charging their daughter rent is "a good lesson in paying bills." Picture: bar7ranch/TikTok

“I will forever help my kids… no matter the age”

“Do you make your graduated high school student pay rent in your house if they aren't going to college yet?” The American mum asked their followers. 

Personally, I didn’t pay rent when I was living at home; I had a job after high school and went to university while living at home, but paying rent just wasn’t an expectation. Frankly, the conversation never really came up. 

(Full disclosure: I am an only child, so I can really only talk about my own experience.)

Many people were in the same mindset. “I would never charge my kid,” a parent said. 

“A definite no for me,” wrote another. “I know it’s rare, but I will forever help my kids… no matter the age.” 

“My son didn’t go to college because he didn’t want to,” read a comment. “We made him get a job and pay his car insurance and phone. But never rent, good grief!”

But the overwhelming majority of parents were on the other side of the fence, sharing why they started charging their children rent. 

“When our kids turn 18, they start paying 200 for rent AND have to pay their own car insurance and phones,” a mother said.

“If they still live here at 21, it increases.”

“I take money out of my daughter's check every week for rent and to [help] pay back the college I paid for,” a mother said. “I'll give it back when she buys her own home.”

“Not going to college = pay rent,” said another. “Go to college full time = live for free but help around house.”

“It’s not about the money,” another chimed in. “It’s about preparing them for what is to come.”

Originally published as We charge our kid rent - it’s cheap to live like a grub in your parent’s house