Mother makes son wear humiliating sign after bad behavior

[Twisterdog]

With this child, the punishment didn't work. And I think that is one of the reasons people are coming down harshly on this mother. However, let's say the boy apologized, and said he would never do it again ... and then straightened out his behavior. Would people's responses be different then? I think so.

What works for one child does not work for another, even for biological siblings.

I personally would not have done this with my son. However, I think people need to walk a mile in this woman's shoes before they criticize her too much. At least she did something, she noticed her son's bad behavior and tried to stop it. I know a lot of parents, sadly, that would not.

IMO, nothing is more heart-breaking and sad than watching your formerly wonderful children start down the road to delinquency. And, sometimes, no matter what you do or try, they continue down that road. It leaves a parent feeling like a helpless failure. Maybe this woman has been in that situation with older kids, or has friends with older kids in trouble. Maybe she was trying her best to head off the bad behavior as soon as she could, before it went further. So, while we might not agree with the specific punishment per se, at least she cared and tried.

[Medusa]

So, while we might not agree with the specific punishment per se, at least she cared and tried.

That's a good point. At least she's trying something, even if we feel that she may have lacked good judgment. Besides, an apology coerced from someone is worthless. He should've had the common sense to apologize on his own. An apology is only worth something if he refrains from that type of behavior again to show that he's truly remorseful. As a mom, I would be upset if I knew that my son tried smoking but I could understand how curiosity and peer pressure might overtake him. The health hazards of smoking aren't sinking in a 12 year old brain. Theft, however, is another story. That simple act of stealing, if he gets away w/it, could start him on a road of crime that he may never leave. I wish this woman well. She's probably overwhelmed and there was no mention of a father in the picture.

[caseysmom]

I know all about having a head strong child and I feel the womans pain and am not passing judgement on her. I have learned a few things, kids do stuff, some do worse stuff than others. When its said and done the kids needs you to be the adult and that bond will hopefully withstand all the rebellious stuff the kids do. I have never had my kid do something that could land them in jail though so no I haven't walked in her shoes and I can understand her fear.

[Catlady711]

I think something is messed up with the link. The comments under the video go with whatever was supposed to be there, but the video is about santa's training in Switzerland!