One Tough Mama

Give Jane Hambleton of Des Moines Iowa a round of applause for her responsible and creative parenting.

When she found booze in ther teenage son's car, she took out an ad in the paper, stating:

"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."

(Read the full story at CNN)

Naturally, her son is not pleased with the arrangement, but this is one mother who is decidedly not intimidated by her child's whining. Not even when he claims that the alcohol was left by a passenger. Dumb excuse anyway. He had been told that there would be no tolerance for alcohol in the car, and he should not have allowed it. Whether the booze was his or his friend's, it was still just as illegal. Until he learns this, he should not be driving, and his mother is taking that very seriously.

This is quite refreshing, considering the lengths to which some youth will take their whining, and the absurd frequency with which this works on (what should be authoritative) adults.

Take it from a teacher who sees kids when their parents aren't looking. Be firm when you teach them right from wrong. Most likely, they'll recover.

They may even thank you for it someday.