'Meanest Mom on Planet' Sells Son's Car
Des Moines, Iowa (AP)
Launch the media gallery 1 playerJane 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
'Meanest Mom on Planet' Sells Son's Car
Cara Weichman Para- Computer Lab WES | Jan 10, 2008 | I am proud of this parent. It is easier to anger your children for a while then to have them dead and gone forever from drinking and driving. Children need to learn there are consequences for their actions good and bad. It is that way as an adult and easier to learn as you grow-up. Just another part of parenting. I give this parent a *BIG* pat on the back and a Thank-you for raising a responsible child that will become an adult that will some day be one of our leaders, doctors, or great people in our society. |
Lisa | Jan 13, 2008 | Yep this is the way more parents should be. There should be more like her. She made a point to her son that her rules mean something and that she wasn't letting it slide. If he gets another car or any help from his parents he will think twice before breaking his parents rules. |
Tony Wahoostudent | Jan 13, 2008 | Ok that mom found beer in her kids car..so what..she didnt have to go all crazy and sell his car..i bet she was drinkin close to tht age too..soo shes a horrible mom for doin tht.. |
Tammie college instructor | Jan 15, 2008 | At first, I thought WOW that seems a little drastic to take that type of step, looking at the age of the kid, but I take my hat off to her as if that was her rule she followed through with it. As it seems the child is living with his mom. I think sometimes we as parents get caught up in our own world that we let some things go by and we forget to follow up on our rules. Which may lead to other problems in the future for our kids. I know I will take a look at what I'm doing and to be sure to follow up more. As to the student that made the comment about "I bet she was drinking close to that age". Well it could possibly be that the state law when his mom was 19 making in legal for drinking at that time and just maybe she wasn't living with her parents at the time either. And I applaud the other student and her comments. |
tina | Jan 15, 2008 | Oh my gosh! I'm keeping this idea for my wonderful children!!! |
? | Feb 19, 2008 | I dont think that she should have sold his car thats a lil harsh. I would have kept the car and would have made my kid just look at it knowing that they will not be driving it for awhile. it will make him think a lil bit more but selling the car was stupid. it was a waste of money and time even buying it. |