Erika and Cody Archie from Gatesville, Texas, sparked a fiery debate online after sharing a parenting decision that split opinions down the middle — they expected their daughter to pay rent right after high school. For some, it was way too harsh. For others, it was the perfect crash course in financial responsibility.

The couple, known on TikTok for their ranch-life videos, posted about their choice and asked followers what they thought. Their daughter, Kylee Deason, graduated in May 2022 and decided not to go to college. So, by June 1, Cody told her she’d need to chip in $200 a month if she planned to keep living at home.

To Cody, it wasn’t unreasonable. “Two hundred bucks a month is plenty cheap to live like a grub in your parents’ house,” he said. Erika admitted she thought the deadline was a bit abrupt and wanted to give Kylee more time, but she agreed with the lesson. If Kylee wanted to eat their groceries, they added, she’d have to tack on another $100.

Social media lit up. Some users argued parents should never charge their kids rent, saying it could add unnecessary stress. Others believed young adults should contribute financially once they’re earning, with one commenter saying $200 was “a steal.”

Supporters stressed this wasn’t about the money — it was about preparing Kylee for real-world expenses. Many even shared they had done the same with their own children to teach budgeting skills early.

While Pew Research says half of Americans aged 18–29 live with their parents, the Archies’ stance proved one thing: when it comes to raising kids, everyone has a strong opinion — and they’re not shy about sharing it.