I believe that that would have been good, but I also believe that watching her laptop be destroyed shows her that some actions have permanent punishment.

<3 Thank you for having the courage to comment.

Most children would find it debilitating. I know my sister did when she got all her communications devices taken away for a week. She was a social wreck by the end and had several issues at school following the punishment because she did not know what was going on, as crazy as that sounds.

Mostly Sianna, just remember how much kids these days are dependent on the internet and their electronics.

It sounds courageous to say something IMHO because some people don't want to come off as morons.

This is a kid who lives in luxury. She does not work and she sounds pretty darn spoiled to me. I both had a shit ton more chores than she did and did not have electronics like that I could just play on until I turned 16.

Haha I used to get my butt beat too. You're right, it does work, but if you say that she is learning that "shooting solves everything" what would you say if you never were smacked? That the parent were teaching the child that "violence solves everything"?

I don't quite get where the whole "Shooting things solves everything" would come in in this situation, nor the "take the easy way out" thing. In this case the father is teaching their child that disrespect has consequences, and multiple instances have harsher consequences. Her laptop seemed to be her favorite possession, so he got rid of it.

And sometimes, when it comes to teaching lessons, the person you are trying to teach the lesson to won't understand the intelligent manner of doing things so you have to get to their level. This kid sounds like she is twelve, and she is going on sixteen years old.

I believe he was perfectly just in the punishment, maybe a little unorthodox but just.

I was pretty amazed by this video....and I mostly agree with it. I think i'm very spoiled....but I try my best not to act like my sister, who is more like the daughter in this video.

However, I agree that he should have given it to someone else, or to charity, rather than shoot it. Also, the daughter should have the right to speak her mind...perhaps not in that exact way, but I think this is teaching her that old saying, 'kids should be seen and not heard', which is really really bad, atleast to me. It's wrong to abuse your rights and your parents, and after he explained her chores and everything, it makes sense what he did....but at the same time, I wonder why he saw the post at all?

So you're saying it's worth it to deprive a more deserving child of something they could honestly use {For school work, for day to day life, god knows how useful the internet is these days just for day to day life} as well as just wasting resources in general, just to use shock factor as punishment on an unruly child?

That is your honest opinion?

You've read my meaning completely wrong. It was an honest question, I'm quite sorry if I've offended you however, that was never my intention, I didn't come in hoping to make anyone feel badly of themselves, so my most sincere apologies if you feel attacked because, again, that was never my intention.

And I have thought, and I really don't feel very comfortable with you insinuating that I am attempting to win in a matter of opinion when you have done the exact same thing I have done. That doesn't seem very kind now does it?

Most teenagers in general fit this bill, Globalbeauty.
Most people, fit this bill.

I have met my share of imbecilic 'adults'.

And just as well, I was saying that giving it to charity would have been a better punishment as you put it.

You are correct though.
Some people, do need to learn to think outside their boxes.

Not everyone thinks we should recycle either, Quad, but does that mean that recycling isn't the better thing to do when presented with the choice of waste or re-use?

Then that is the difference between the people who take the time to think things through and those that act on impulse. And they clearly had internet, even a fool can use the internet to give things away, they wouldn't even have to leave the house, an item like that? Someone would come to take it themselves.

I never said it was a matter of moral and immoral.

I said it was a matter of stupidity and acting before pausing to use your mind.

Perhaps you are the type of person to act before you think and that is fine, I can't make you do otherwise, why would I want to? It would be a waste of energy.

Everyone might do things differently, but the minute someone shoots a laptop as punishment it's hard to see it as punishment rather than just doing it out of anger. It was something spiteful. You can punish a person without going to those lengths.

They are the adults and she is the child, a 15 year old girl at that. Being the adults they could have handled it better. Putting the thing away, locking it away, would have been just as effective as 'shooting' it, since that seems to be okay... so rather than waste money/destroy property, just take it away for a good long while and call it done. Either way the girl isn't being able to use it, and with that, it wasn't destroyed/didn't go put bullets in something you paid for. It was a waste.

What is that teaching this girl? That when she's angry and wants to punish someone she'll just go destroy something they like instead? They're the adults and should be setting a good example. I don't see how that is a good example. Someone can argue it any way they want to, but when you go destroying something you paid for to punish someone... you're not really coming out on top. If anything all you've accomplished is further upsetting the teenage girl and losing out on money.

Also, I'm pretty against on parents who spy on their kids. If for good reason okay, but all she did was flame. Again, adults vs. child... it's a child, they're going to flame. Time to be the adult and get over it.

You're contradicting yourself.

As long as they're not deliberately hurting someone, let them be exactly as they are.

They were causing deliberate emotional harm as a form of punishment.

I simply ask that you take a moment and consider life in his shoes

...

rather than compare yourself

So you're saying I should compare myself to him...but then you're saying I shouldn't?

It is this very fact that I do not consider this man's actions to be stupid

let me rephrase then.
Wasteful. his actions are wasteful

People have flaws. Yes, but they should always work to better themselves.

^
Spoken to in private, resolved things etc etc.

I've read through most of what was written here and decided to put in my two cents. Keep in mind, please, that I'm 33 and have a son. I can speak from experience. Both as a teen and as a parent.

I actually commend this father. I give him virtual cookies. Why? Because he had the balls to actually punish his daughter. So many parents don't. It sucks to punish your child. It's not fun at all. I HATE punishing my son. But I do it. It may not be easy, but it's necessary. Otherwise you end up with spoiled brats (that sounds harsh, meh).
Now, could this father have given his laptop to charity? Hell yes. Could he have put it on Craigslist to sell? Hell yes. Could he have locked it up for 5 years without destroying it? Hell yes. Remember though, that hind sight is always 20-20. From the video it seems as though he's had issues with his daughter, had grounded her, taken away the laptop, before. Was shooting the laptop a bit of an anger release for him? Probably. There have been times where I've been so angry over what my son did that all I want is to take his latest gadget love (currently an Ipod Touch) and smash it to smithereens to let him know how upset I am. Do I? No, that would be acting in the moment. Though I wouldn't say that this father was acting in the moment. He was angry, yes, but also calm and collected. He obviously talked to the girl's mother about the plan and she agreed with it.
I don't understand how discussion of this video turned into a discussion over recycling. But maybe that's just me. (remember, too, that Americans as a whole are wasteful beings - doesn't make it right, but it's true).
As far as parents monitoring what their kids do, I think that it is PERFECTLY APPROPRIATE. My relationship with my mom growing up was was very open - I knew I could come to her with anything. But I also knew that she was always checking into what I was doing - where I was, who I was with, what I did online - and I was fine with it. Was it annoying? Oh my GOD yes. As a teen I hated it. But I knew she was doing it, so I grew to deal with it. Kids and teens are very self-centered (it's just that stage of life) and have a hard time grasping that parents often know what they're talking about. I did. I didn't realize this until I was in my mid 20's. And now, as a parent myself, I monitor what my son does - what games he plays, what he watches on tv (he's young still) - and I'll continue to monitor what he does as he grows older.

That was a long ramble. I'm not even sure I made a valid point. Oh well. I do agree with what this father did. And I found the video quite amusing.

Not sure what I think about this.
I would have handled it personally... they could have had a sit down and talk some sense into her instead of bringing it to the attention of thousands of other people. Will shooting her laptop teach her a lesson or just make her more mad? I find it quite stupid. Then again, I'm not a parent or adult.

Also, I agree on Null about kids being on facebook. They waste their life away. I'm not on facebook even though I would qualify as a child, and I don't think I ever will, even when I'm eighteen.

Not all teenagers are self-centered; depends on the kid and the personality. I try not to be, but being human, I certainly have my moments! >_< Of course, some teenagers are, but so are so adults, haha~.

I think there has to be a restriction to the amount of monitoring. My parents didn't let me watch the news or certain shows when I was younger, which I understand. They figured it wasn't right to expose me to violence so early and I respect that.

However, when a parent monitors everything their child does, I feel like it doesn't lend to independence. A child's a person too; a younger person who needs guiding, but also a person with thoughts and opinions of their own. Certainly, at a young age it's good to guide your child as to what you believe is right or wrong. But I think as they get to a certain point, they also deserve to have responsibility to make their own choices. I think there's a veeery fine line between overbearing and caring (like that rhyme?).

I hope that didn't sound like a criticism, I'm just thinking. xD



Just wanted to say, good on you for being an adult, Icky. Give your son a hug for me! Haha. xD

This is interesting, seeing all the different view points on this issue! it's making me really consider some things. I don't know what to think about the whole "10 year olds on Facebook thing"; I feel like it's their life to do with what they want. If it's Facebook, it's Facebook. o:

All of them!

Those are all very fair points, Icky. I can understand how that sort of confusion could come across as self-centered, haha.

Yes, making mistakes and learning makes sense. As long as the punishments are fair (I agree with your method), it's a vital part of growing up and learning what's expected of you.

Well, I'm a teenage kid so I hope you don't mind me giving my two pence..

I'm not really sure if other people see it the same way, but I would find it a lot more disappointing if I did something bad and my Mom openly displayed her disappointment, rather than if she shouted at me for hours and took away my phone.

If she just shows her disappointment, then I would feel disappointed in myself and even more guilty, because I would feel I deserved to be punished. To me, it's about remembering that your parents are not just 'Mom and Dad' but people who have feelings, people like you.

I get sick of parents treating their children like they are always right, but I get sick of things like this, too.

What happened to forgiving others? What happened to equal respect for each other?

How are people meant to blame their children to be unforgiving and violent when they've taught them to be like that?

I'm sorry if I offend anyone ♥

I like your pence, Wotsits.


I think that in this case, being gentle like many have suggested on here would not get anywhere, considering it did not the first time he tried to talk to her and punish her.


I really applaud the high level of intellect this site has been populated with. Everyone seems to provide valid arguments and good insight. I think, though, it clouds the fact that sometimes people are just that stupid and cannot understand consequences for their actions, you know? Not unless they are beat over the head (or in this case their most prized possession turned in to a pile of scrap metal and plastic riddled with powder) until they learn.

I remember how destructive and stubborn I was at fifteen. I caused a battle between my parents over custody of me that still causes problems today. It was really stupid of me, especially because I was wanting to live with my dad, who I know now is probably one of the worst people I could have been raised by. *pokes that sentence, hypocrisy leaks a little*

*shrug*

In my eyes, it was to teach his child not to disrespect others even over something as stupid as Facebook. Sure, he was angry with her, but he needed to teach her about respect. (Obviously she did not have much.)

This makes me so furious...
Kids think they got shit hard.

Try me.



Ugh.
This dad is sugar-sweet in my opinion.

PLK217, are you serious?

are you one of those who says people can't complain about their lives because there are always others who have it worse?

when you make a thread about PARENTING you can only expect people to have strong opinions about it. i'm shocked by what some people here have said

Same as Unplugged.
I'm sure PLK did not mean to offend, it was merely a humourous comment- and a true one, no less.

All the same, yes it's a sensitive topic, as are many things, thus everyone is entitled to the opinions they have.


This blog still was not intended to spark a debate or a fight, so if you're offended by any of this, simply refrain from looking.
It's rather simple, dear.

Thank you, Pan.

I did not put up this blog for fighting, but for opinions.

The "shocking" things that people on here have said do invite others' opinions, but they do NOT in any way invite pure argument.

And PLK I laughed so hard! It's so true... so true.

Edit: Alfie, if it is your way of doing things, you might not belong here. We are civil and not pissy with the way we handle things. I would ask you to respect our wishes and if you are not going to comment peacefully do not do so at all.

And I ninja'd you again, dearie <3