Most grown-ups know that “adulting” looks far easier when seen through the eyes of a child. Kids often assume that life’s comforts — a warm home, food on the table, and endless internet access — just exist without effort.

They rarely stop to think about who makes sure the bills are paid, the meals are cooked, and the lights stay on.

For many parents, this misunderstanding is simply part of growing up. But for one mom, it became the foundation of a life-changing lesson.

Back in 2015, Heidi Johnson, a single mother living in Venice, Italy, was reaching her limit with her 13-year-old son, Aaron. Like many teens his age, Aaron was testing boundaries. He had recently started earning what his mom called a “teeny tiny bit of money” from his small YouTube channel. Those first few earnings gave him a newfound sense of independence, and with it came a stubborn refusal to do chores, homework, or even listen to his mother’s instructions. One evening, after yet another…