WOULD YOU PRESS CHARGES AGAINST YOUR OWN KID?

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Permalink Reply by Jenny on February 2, 2009 at 12:48pm

I personally thing pressing additional charges is a little extreme and I'm not sure I'd leave my son in jail for an entire weekend... I think an experience like that is enough to scare a kid straight. Then again, I only have a toddler so I may change my tune when he turns 16....

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Permalink Reply by Julie on February 2, 2009 at 12:50pm

No I would never press charges on my son. I think this is just taking it too far. I would leave him in jail overnight, fine. But would never have him arrested for car theft. No way.

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Permalink Reply by Cambria on February 2, 2009 at 12:50pm

As a last resort, yes. I would hope my kids would know better in the first place... but if my parenting methods were not working, then absolutely!

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Permalink Reply by Marie Grennell on February 2, 2009 at 1:12pm

Yes...without regret. I have taught my daughter and "kids" that actions have consequences. I have seen what happens when parents pity their children and try to "fix it" for them. This boy made a choice. If any other teenager had taken your
vehicle and done the same things, would you have pressed charges? Then why let your own son think the laws don't apply to him?

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Permalink Reply by T. Suzanne Eller on February 2, 2009 at 3:39pm

My son was hit by a drunk driver ten years ago. He had 13 fractures from the waist down. He was an athlete and had to relearn how to walk, was in the hospital for six weeks, and in therapy for a year. The drunk driver died on impact.

This mom's decision is not too tough. There were heartbroken people on both sides in our case. My son was broken. We were emotionally and financially devastated. The other family lost someone they loved.

If an arrest and taking responsibility makes that teen think before getting in the car drunk again, then yes, it's worth it.

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Permalink Reply by sugar mama on February 2, 2009 at 7:52pm

yes, yes, yes. yes.

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Permalink Reply by Graciela on February 2, 2009 at 8:41pm

if it is a very dangerous behavior perhaps I will do what is best for them, actions have consequences and we cannot lie to harm other human beings, never

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Permalink Reply by Bonnie Pearson on February 3, 2009 at 11:19am

I would and here's why. The mother will be liable for the damages that the son caused by his reckless behavior. I have older kids, but they knew from the time they were little, that they would have consequences for their actions, good or bad. I never did their homework for them, cover for them when they made mistakes. Noone will do this for them when they're adults. They need to learn, no matter how hard the consequences will be. That said, if I believe that they are innocent or right, I will back them with all my strength and support. Bonnie

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Permalink Reply by Marisol on February 3, 2009 at 6:03pm

i had the almost the same situation, i press charges he got probation, he destroy my car. it teaches them right from wrong if they do that to you imaging what they will do to others. he could of killed some one and then what...........

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Permalink Reply by Megan on February 3, 2009 at 6:28pm

I don't think she's being too tough on him at all. I think she's giving him a dose of reality: He wanted to act like an adult so now she should treat him like one. This might actually save his life teaching him consequences of this extreme ESPECIALLY when it comes to drinking and driving. I think this is what parenting is about and she's only doing what's best for her son.

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Permalink Reply by Gina on February 4, 2009 at 2:03pm

It depends on what she went through with her son before that remarkable weekend. Maybe he has done things like this before and she was not able to stop him. He did crash the car and could have been dead. So, this may have been the only way the mother saw for him to get the message.

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Permalink Reply by kellie on February 7, 2009 at 12:21pm

We recently had a 16 y.o. die in a car crash very near our home. He was speeding on a winding, dark road, AND he was under the influence of alcohol. He died on impact. Charges have been filed against a 43 y.o. mom whose house this boy was at, drinking. He was a very well known youth, talented football player, etc. The kids have made a "memorial" at the accident site-very sad. My oldest son, 21, was one of the 1st people on the scene, having driven up on the accident w/in a minute of it happening. He tried to see if the young man had a pulse and he couldn't find one-he has been very saddened and upset about this whole thing. Now, that being said, would I press charges against my own child-yes I would, and yes I have. My younger son, now 18, has made some VERY bad and potentially dangerous decisions over the last several years and has absolutely refused to conform to our rules and ideologies. I think he's finally starting to come around now, but, boy, has he put us through the ringer. W/O my faith, I'm not sure how I would get through these things.

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