A mom who revealed that she charges her tween daughters rent – and even slaps on a fee if they pay late – has sparked a fierce debate.
Taja Ashaka, from Arkansas, recently went viral on TikTok after she broke down her two kids’ sleeping setup.
She revealed that she had turned their bedrooms into mini apartments, adding a doorbell, mailbox, and apartment number to each of their doors.
But when she explained that she makes them both pay rent each week and charges them extra if they’re even one minute late while paying, viewers were divided.
Taja also confessed that she does ‘random inspections’ to make sure their ‘apartments’ are clean enough, and if they aren’t up to their standards, they’re hit with more penalties.
‘So the girls got apartments in our homes,’ she began in the clip, which has now been viewed more than 10 million times.
She then showed off one of her daughter’s door, which contained an apartment number and wreath hung on the front.
A mom who revealed that she charges her tween daughters rent – and even slaps on a fee if they pay late – has sparked a fierce debate
Taja Ashaka, from Arkansas, recently went viral on TikTok after she broke down her two kids’ sleeping setup, and she revealed that she had turned their bedrooms into mini apartments
She also showcased her doorbell and mailbox, explaining, ‘The doorbells are so they stop barging in on each other.
‘[The mailbox is so] I can give them eviction notices if they don’t pay their rent on time, inspection notices to see if their room is clean, or just little «I love you» notices.’
‘It was fun [setting it up] and the girls enjoy it,’ she added.
‘Turning their bedrooms into first apartments,’ Taja captioned the TikTok. ‘Doorbells, mailboxes, and rent due every Friday – welcome to the real world, little tenants.’
In a follow-up, the mom-of-two explained that her girls get paid weekly for helping out at the mini golf business she runs.
She said they ‘hand out mini golf gear, clean, and engage with customers,’ but didn’t divulge how much they make.
She said they are required to give her $5 per week for rent and another $5 for utilities, which includes gas, water, and electricity.
It’s due on Fridays at exactly 9pm, and if they’re late, they will get their phone taken away for one day and have to pay an extra $1.
She added a doorbell, mailbox, and apartment number to each of their doors – and makes them both pay rent each week
She said they are required to give her $5 per week for rent and another $5 for utilities, which includes gas, water, and electricity
And if they fail to pay rent by their ‘second notice,’ the punishment goes up to three days with no phone and a $5 fee.
If they get a third notice, she said they will be ‘evicted’ from their room and have to fork over an extra $10.
Being evicted means they have to sleep on the couch in their ‘old game room’ with no access to ‘toys or electronics.’
‘They’re able to pack a bag but they’re not allowed to go back into their apartment until they pay the eviction fee and after the eviction process,’ added Taja.
Taja said the girls must also put $10 a week into their savings, and need to be ready for ‘random inspections’ at all times.
If their room doesn’t meet her standards, they will have 24 hours to clean – and if it’s still not good enough after that, their phone will get taken away for one day.
Some of her requirements include their bed must be made, their clothes must be folded or hung up, the trash must be taken out, their floor must be swept or vacuumed, and their closet must be organized.
Other things on her check list includes, ‘No dishes or food left in room,’ ‘trash is taken out,’ and, ‘desk/table is tidy.’
Taja said the girls must also be ready for ‘random inspections’ at all times. If their room doesn’t meet her standards, they will have 24 hours to clean
People all across the web were split on Taja’s parenting techniques, with some praising the mom and others slamming her
People all across the web were split on Taja’s parenting techniques, with some praising the mom and others slamming her.
‘Setting kids up for success,’ one person wrote.
‘This is a great way to learn responsibility and budgeting,’ agreed another.
‘This is incredible! Learning responsibility while also guiding them along the way! Y’all are killin’ it,’ gushed someone else.
‘This is such a good idea! it prepares them for the real world and the fact you take that money and set it aside for them later on is awesome,’ read a fourth comment.
A fifth said, ‘As a teacher I love this. Practical life skills for life long learners.’
Others, however, weren’t as positive.
‘You make your KIDS pay RENT?! Nah…’ one user replied.
‘Dang you gotta keep it clean 24 hours… that’s unreasonable, especially when they are paying rent… in apartments you have a heads up,’ scathed another.
‘Wtf? You make your kids pay to sleep in their bedrooms?’ asked someone else.
