Father Insists That Rebellious Son Must “Earn” His Christmas Gift For Breaking House Rules, Faces Accusations Of Being A “Tyrant”

Parenting is no easy task, especially when dealing with rebellious teenagers who can often test the limits set by their parents. In a recent Reddit post that has garnered attention, a concerned dad (OP) seeks advice on a situation that has sparked a heated debate within their family.

OP, whose son is 19 years old and home from college, sets the stage by laying down a simple law in his house, "No drinking allowed while living under my roof."

While OP acknowledges that he isn't overly strict, his concern stems from the fact that the boy has younger siblings who look up to their older brother. So, witnessing him intoxicated at home is something that OP wants to prevent at all costs.

However, trouble came knocking when his son was caught drinking at a party, resulting in a late-night trip to the police station. This forced OP and his wife to go and pick him up in the middle of the night, which was pretty annoying for the couple. Worst of all, OP revealed that his son showed no remorse whatsoever.

At this point, OP decided that the boy would not be getting any Christmas gifts for the year. And despite the sudden apology from the teen, OP was adamant that his decision would stand.

But OP opened the door for a compromise — he made it clear to the teen that he would need to take on extra chores and agree to some social restrictions in order to 'earn' a gift. The boy flipped and labeled OP a 'tyrant' for attempting to control his life.

As much as OP didn't flinch at his son's words, he's beginning to feel the heat from his wife. Apparently, she's on their son's side and believes that OP is taking things too far.

Amidst this family discord, the question lingers: Is OP justified in his actions, or should the spirit of the holidays be separated from the consequence of his son's actions?