AITAH for charging my son rent?
Need some advice here. My 17-year-old son has really taken off with his live streaming "career" in the past 6 months. He's doing so well that he's been able to upgrade his room into a pretty awesome streaming studio. We're talking multiple monitors, tvs, top-of-the-line streaming gear, the works. He's pulling in around $3000 a month, which is really impressive for his age. I originally thought he was just blowing his allowance and lying to me, but I have seen his bank account and it checks out. He didn't actually tell me that he was making money until I pressed him, which was weird, but he came clean and showed me his Kick and Twitch profiles.
Given his new financial situation, I thought it might be a good idea for him to start paying a small amount of rent, like $600 a month. Something comparable to what a 2 bedroom should go for, given he has 500sqft for his room, an ensuite, and a lounge for his sole use. I see it as a way to teach him about the responsibilities of adulthood and managing finances. However, my wife isn't on board. She thinks we shouldn't ask for rent period, and that it's our job to give him a roof regardless of external circumstances.. Plus, he utilizes our WiFi and Electric to stream. I suggested that we "put away" his "rent money" for his future, but still no buenno.
Now, he finished high school early and has been streaming over his "gap year" before he decides if he wants to go to college.
This has led to some pretty heated discussions between us, with my wife accusing me of being too harsh and not appreciating our son's youth. On my end, I feel like I'm just being realistic and preparing him for the real world. I had to pay rent as soon as I made an adult wage, when I was growing up.
I'm conflicted because I want to help him learn about real-world responsibilities, but I also get he's not technically an adult yet. So, AITA for wanting my son to contribute a bit to the household now that he's earning his own money?