Jane Hambleton: Meanest Mom on the Planet

The mother absolutely had the right and should have done what she did.  In order for a teenager to earn a car, they need to be: responsible, reliable, intelligent, law-abiding, rational, and trust-worthy.  Without even one of these qualities, the teenager does not deserve and shouldn't have a car.  I don't think I need to explain all the reasons why the kid shouldn't have a car, after having alcohol (which he shouldn't have had to begin with) in the car (which is also illegal) under the front seat (which implies that someone was drinking it on the car... ).  It is obvious that this is not someone who should be driving.  Maybe after a year or two of proving himself, the mother will feel that it is a better time for him to have a car.  But, right now... no. 

Parents have the right to do what they think will protect their children and if that means selling the car then thats what a parent whould do.  I spent the entire time my children were growing up doint things and making decisions they did not agree with but when they got older and eventually married they both thanked me.  Being a parent is not a popularity contest because 'tough love" is not initially appreciated.  Jane did the right thing for her son.  He is too young to appreciate that now but as he matures he will understand the wisdom in that decision.

I don't think she took the right approach to the problem. She should have talked to her son about the incident rather than going along and doing something so harsh. This action she took will create more distance between them as opposed to bringing them closer.

I don't blame her for worrying but it's not only about what you do but how you do it.

I think she had every right to sell the car. And I think while most people will think it was unfair, I think she did her son a favor. Now, if he still insists on being stupid and drinking, he won't be the one driving. Two thumbs up for this mom for caring enough to make this decision.

It's a shame she made another mistake. her first one was buying the car for her son who she doesn't trust, cause if she trusted him she would have had the decency to ask him what the booze were doing there. The second mistake was selling the car without confronting her son. She'll probably pay for these mistakes in the damage of her realationship with her son.

Well, I don't think this was a good or smart thing to do.

I can see why she wouldn't want to let her kid drive if they are drinking, but this is mostly humiliating and silly. Also,it feels from that ad that she's getting into a power struggle with her son, parents should not be in that position, it feels to me like she lost all authority (if she ever had any) on her kid and now uses the only authority she still have which is ownership on the car.

I think that if the kid's old enough to drive, he's also old enough to make his own choices about drinking or not and face the consequences of his action (like getting arrested if he's caught DUI) I don't think this serve any purpose aside of humiliating her child. He's still going to drink and probably drive in friends or parents care - so what had been achieved really?

In acting as if her son is still a child, she's preventing him from learning how to be a man. 

That mother had courage that I wish more parents had. A teenager driving a car is a privelage, not a right of passage. If I could speak to this mother I would tell her, THANK YOU! You see our only son was 17 years old. On Dec. 24, 2001 he was struck by a drunk driver (the drunk driver was just shy of his 18th B-Day). Our son had been celebrating Christmas w/family friends. As he was returning home, he was turning into our lane (driving a 1999 Olds Intirgue), he was T-boned on the drivers side. Our son never recovered from those injuries and 2 weeks later he died. What I would not give for more parents like Jane. We parents were not put on this earth to be "frineds" w/our children. We are here to guide and if necessary make the tough decisions. There is only one reason alcohol was in her sons car. This mom's decision while not popular w/some, may very well have saved not only her sons life, but the life/lives of an innocent victim/victims!!! And those who thought she was to harsh. I assure you if her son had driven drunk and injured or killed a loved one of yours, you would re-think the harshness of her decision.