Saw this on the boards over at Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover site (thanks, Allen) and thought I’d add a link here to the story as well. The world needs more parents like this one.
From the Associated Press:
DES MOINES, Iowa — Jane Hambleton has dubbed herself the “meanest mom on the planet.”
After finding alcohol in her son’s car, she decided to sell the car and share her 19-year-old’s misdeed with everyone — by placing an ad in the local newspaper.
The ad 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.”
Hambleton has heard from people besides interested buyers since recently placing the ad in The Des Moines Register.
The 48-year-old from Fort Dodge says she has fielded more than 70 telephone calls from emergency room technicians, nurses, school counselors and even a Georgia man who wanted to congratulate her.
“The ad cost a fortune, but you know what? I’m telling people what happened here,” Hambleton says. “I’m not just gonna put the car for resale when there’s nothing wrong with it, except the driver made a dumb decision.
“It’s overwhelming the number of calls I’ve gotten from people saying ‘Thank you, it’s nice to see a responsible parent.’ So far there are no calls from anyone saying, ‘You’re really strict. You’re real overboard, lady.”‘
The only critic is her son, who Hambleton says is “very, very unhappy” with the ad and claims the alcohol was left by a passenger.
Hambleton believes her son but has decided mercy isn’t the best policy in this case. She says she set two rules when she bought the car at Thanksgiving: No booze, and always keep it locked.
The car has been sold, but Hambleton says she will continue the ad for another week — just for the feedback.
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I applaud her. I too just recently sold my 19 years old truck for having marijuana in it. I co-signed for him and told him at the time, he had best make the payment and not have any illegal drugs or alcohol in it or drive under the influence. Well he made sure he did the exact opposite of what I asked. So I repoed it and sold it. Make sure if ever co-sign for anyone on a vehicle that it is titled with that little word (or) that way only one signature is required to sell the vehicle. He didn’t talk to me for over a month, but he was on the wrong path and I wasn’t about to help fund it. Good for the mom above!!! More parents need to take a stand and protect their children. It broke my heart to sell it as I am sure it broke hers too. Good luck to her and her son and one day I’m sure he will thank her as mine I’m sure will me as well.
I was pretty amazed at her boldness – glad to see some parents are still taking the role seriously.
Great point, Mel, about making sure to have in writing the power to sell if necessary.