After dinner, Alex declined to wash his plate, exclaiming, “I’m not your slave!” I attempted to clarify that assisting with household chores did not equate to slavery, but he maintained that unpaid labor was akin to servitude. My husband intervened, highlighting that we provide him with shelter, food, clothing, and education. Nevertheless, Alex insisted that he should be compensated for his chores. Recognizing the lesson Alex needed to learn, my husband inquired about the value he placed on his work. The following morning, Alex discovered an envelope containing cash on his nightstand. Delighted with his perceived victory, he joined us for breakfast, only to be presented with a list of additional responsibilities—washing his own clothes, tidying his room, taking out the trash, and assisting with meal preparation. Alex’s expression changed as he grasped the full scope of the tasks required. “I didn’t know it would be like this!” he exclaimed. My husband calmly clarified that if Alex desired payment, he would need to accept the associated responsibilities. Alex quickly reconsidered, opting to assist without compensation. He later acknowledged that he had not fully appreciated the extent of our contributions. From that point forward, Alex participated willingly, occasionally reflecting on the lesson with a smile.