A mum from the US has revealed that she charges her five-year-old daughter rent so that she can learn what the "world is really like"
Essence Evans, from Georgia in the US, has gone viral after she wrote a Facebook post revealing that she charges her little girl $5 a week for rent and bills - even though she's only five.
She wrote: "I MAKE MY 5 YEAR OLD PAY RENT. Every week she gets $7 dollars in allowance. But I explained to her that in the real world most people spend most of their paycheck on bills with little to spend on themselves.
"So I make her give me $5 dollars back."
GALLERY: The top 10 things that REALLY make you a mum
The top 10 things that really make you a mum (slider)
1 of 11mum with child
2 of 111) Being there when your child needs you
3 of 112) Wanting your child’s happiness more than your own
4 of 113) Coping with all the highs and lows of parenting
5 of 114) Loving your child unconditionally
6 of 115) Being emotionally available for your child
7 of 116) Answering all their questions dozens of times
8 of 117) Doing the drudgery of domestic chores like washing, cooking and cleaning out of love
9 of 118) Going without so your child has what they need
10 of 119) Being pregnant and giving birth
11 of 1110) Having a biological child
Essence breaks down exactly what the money goes towards, so that her daughter knows what she's paying for: "$1 for rent $1 for water $1 for electricity $1 for cable and $1 for food."
She then explains how she can spend the remainder as pocket money: "The other $2 she gets to save or do what she wants with."
Pretty shocking, right? Shouldn't kids just focus on being kids at the age of five rather than having to learn about adult problems?
But Essence isn't keeping the money for herself - it's actually going back into her daughter's pocket... Eventually.
"Now, what she doesn't know is the $5 is actually going away in her savings account," she wrote, adding that she "will give back to her when she turns 18".
She added: "So if she decides to move out on her own she will have $3,380 to start off."
Ok... Now we're starting to see the method in the madness!
She explained: "This strategy not only prepares your child for the real world. But when they see how much real bills are they will appreciate you for giving them a huge discount!"
Obviously - fellow mums were completely divided.
One person was not happy with Essence's parenting techniques, writing: "I get this I really do but I will not make my son pay to live where he belongs to be. That’s just wrong in my opinion but once he turns 16 I will make him get a job to pay for his own gas and insurance for his car."
Another mum was full of praise, writing: "I think this is absolutely amazing! It is a great way to teach her how the real world works and to get her a little savings account of her own so she has a good start when she moves out or goes to college or whatever she chooses to do."
WATCH: The Loose Women's kids argue over chores
**What do YOU think about Essence's idea? Would you charge your child rent to teach them about the world early on? Or do you think they should be left to their own devices at the age of five? Let us know over on **Facebook and Twitter.
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