She Stopped Buying More Than the Essentials for Her Adult Children. What Do You Think?
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A Reddit user shared a story about buying the basic foods (milk, bread, eggs, etc.) for her live-at-home children and refusing to spend money on meal plans, takeout, or delivery for them after they had already spent their food budget for the week.
Frugal with Food
The original poster (OP) told Reddit about her two live-at-home college-age children that work minimum-wage jobs. They are also waiting to receive their grandparents’ inheritance at age 25. OP said it’s enough money for them to live off of for the rest of their life if they choose to live frugally.
The ex-wife/mother of the children lives in a different state, and the eldest sibling of the 3 recently moved out; she (eldest sibling) did all the shopping and cooking before moving out. OP went on to say that he tried moving the middle sibling into the role of grocery shopper & food preparer, similar to what the eldest sibling was doing but went on to say that the middle and youngest sibling spent all the grocery money on delivery over the course of two days.
No More Money
OP was upset over this and refused to give them any more money for food and told them they’d have to spend their own money on the food they wanted. She (OP) now only purchases basic groceries for the house, items such as milk, bread, eggs, cheese, etc.
OP went on to say that her ex-wife, eldest sibling, and she have tried to teach the two youngest how to cook, but they refuse to learn. OP also said if they went to college, she would pay for a meal plan for them. They refused and said they like their life as is, minus the food situation.
The Masses Weigh In
Redditors had a ball with this one, and many had very strong opinions on what this mom should do!
One user said, “NTA. I thought you were depriving small kids of food and was ready to blast you. You seem to be describing two young adults who have graduated from high school and have failed to launch. They seem to be running out the clock on the inheritance. Yeah, they can learn to cook or eat ramen then.”
Another Redditor was quick to say “My boyfriends’ middle schooler can cook whole meals like chicken, pasta, quesadillas, and easy baked goods like cookies or brownies from scratch. This is honestly sad.”
Many users also agreed, “Physically adults, at least. Mentally, they sound like middle school students.”
Finally, one Redditor said, “ NTA Sounds like it’s time to give your kids the “get a job and/or get out” speech. You’ve raised some mooches who best learn how to earn their own money and survive as adults BEFORE they get inheritance money they’ll likely blow through in record time and then expect to return to mooching.”
What do you think? Should the OP buy more food for her kids or teach them a lesson?
This article is inspired by the internet and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Motherhood Life Balance.
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As a full-time working mom of three, I know what it’s like to feel like life is out of balance and out of control.
While I don’t have it all figured out, I am committed to sharing helpful tips and tricks with other mommas who are ready to break free from negativity, ditch mom guilt, & finally, live life on their own terms.