This morning there was this story about a woman who put her teenage son's car up for sale after finding alcohol in it. The ad itself reads:
"OLDS 1999 Intrigue. Totally uncool parents who obviously don't love teenage son, selling his car. Only driven for three weeks before snoopy mom who needs to get a life found booze under front seat. $3,700/offer. Call meanest mom on the planet."
Do you think this mom was too harsh? Or did she teach him a lesson he'll never forget? Was there a more effective way she could have handled this (if, in fact, this way is effective)? Did her punishment fit the crime? Whaddya think?
17 comments:
I think it's awesome. She definitely got his attention and he can't argue with her logic. Her son will be laughing about it in a couple of years. Okay, maybe 10.
RJL
I think that mom is awesome. It's a perfect consequence for what was done, in my opinion. HOWEVER, I don't know that I could do it. I really don't think I could. I applaud her for her strength.
I think it was a perfect consequence....booze and driving never mix, never will. When they're little, you are supposed to stick to logical consequences. Hit your sister with a toy, lose toy. Perhaps the toy would only go to time out but, drinking and driving is a deadly...the consequence should be logical and severe. Thank God he didn't kill someone while mixing the two.
I want to be just like that mom when I grow up--but w/o the alcohol in the car. I personally find it very satisfying and fulfilling being a mean mom!
I think that mom is awesome too! I am so glad to see a parent follow through with some tough consequences. I'm going to have to remember that but hopefully I won't have to!
That mom is fantastic! That is totally something I would do, and, because I'm petty, I would make sure my son was the one who handed the keys to the new owner.
I learned, growing up among siblings and cousins and whatnot, that warnings don't work. My husband and I are clear about our expectations and the consequences of failing to meet them. There are no warnings. As a result, with nearly 20 years in this parenting game (I was a child bride :-D), our children rarely commit the same offense twice (they think up new ones, clever darlings!). Often, observing the consequences suffered by a sibling is enough to disabuse them of the notion of disobedience.
I think this mom has the right idea!
I would absolutely do that.
That's is what I would do.
More parents need to use this tactic more to keep kids in check.. Glad it made the papers so others can learn form it...
She believes her son when he says the alcohol was left by a passenger? And yet she doesn't just ground him and give him a chance to earn back her trust. She publicly humilitates him, probably causing a tremendous amount of resentment and uncalled-for embarassment. I symphasize with the kid in this one. Even without knowing all the facts, I still think she handled the problem inappropriately. She seems to be enjoying all the attention she's getting at the expense of her son who got in a situation which might have been out of his control. Selling the car - maybe. But the ad was cruel.
My 15 year old son came home drunk once. His consequence? I refuse to sign for a drivers license. When he's 18, he can get one on his own. Before that? Nope, not in MY house. Consequently, I think this mom is awesome. Good for her!
Love It!!! If more parents weren't afraid to do the right thing and make their kids feel their punishment we might not have the problems in society that we do. I luckily don't have this problem with my teenager, but her younger brothers...I'm praying that they take notes from their sister!
Wellll, let's see. When I was on jury duty a situation arose where I was asked how I would discipline my child if he/she were involved in a fight at school. Since I was the only one on the jury with 11 children, the lawyer may have found my answer interesting. Had to think fast because of my 11, none of them presented this problem. However, my answer was that I would listen to all parties including my child and depending on his involvement, he would certainly be given just punishment.
Of those 11, all were drivers, and, I was aware of what was going on, even stopping at the store when I saw the car parked, checking out their purchases. In a nice way of course.
In this case, I think she was right to sell the car, but I don't think I would have gone so public.
The important thing here is to separate him from the vehicle, not to humiliate him publicly. Believe me, his friends and school mates would all get the message without advertising it.
And, never did I ever think I would need to explain my discipline policies in Court.
Good one!!
I've been thinking this one over. Actually, I don't know for sure if this was the right/best thing. I'd have to know the 19 year old and the mom to really know that. (I'm more on the mom's side, but having a 19 year old myself makes me want to reserve some judgement.)
But I do know you have to be willing to be the meanest mom on the planet. Our kids need us to be.
Monica (a mean mom now and then)
I think this is the best story. I can only hope when my kids are that old, I will stick to my guns, and have as much creativity with it.
You know, I really applaud this mom's action (selling the car) but don't necessarily agree with her ad. She seems to be making fun of herself or her son, and that seems to be outside of the point. Just have the hard talk, and sell the car.
Post a Comment