Mom Sells Rule-Breaking Son's Car Schools & Kids, posted by Karen, a resident of the Vintage Hills Elementary School neighborhood, on Jan 9, 2008 at 12:46 pm
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.
Posted by Jerry, a resident of the Oak Hill neighborhood, on Jan 9, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Certainly a good example of "Tough Love". Some may consider her actions extreme but perhaps her story will inspire others to take similar actions, if necessary, to prevent a needless tragedy from occurring.
Posted by aaron, a resident of the Highland Oaks neighborhood, on Jan 10, 2008 at 12:08 pm
if she bought it for him, she has every right to sell it. sorry kid. we all did the same growing up but, if he didn't purchase it with his own money it is never really his
Posted by dumb, a resident of the Birdland neighborhood, on Jan 14, 2008 at 12:42 pm
That kid is dumb to just let his mom take his car and snoop through it and if he was a smart he wouldnt leave it in his car this is all the kids fault for not being a good teenage kid hahaha. as for the mom why buy it in the 1st place for him?
Posted by Jim, a resident of the Carriage Gardens neighborhood, on Jan 29, 2008 at 9:21 am
Stacey you probably dont have children, as parents you do things for them to get ahead in life while setting limits and goals. This mom did the right thing in buying and selling the car.
Posted by Old 64 year old, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jan 29, 2008 at 9:46 pm
I anxiously await to hear how buying a car for a kid (16-18 year old) gets them ahead in life........ I admit I am never too old to learn from those who are so wise with experience to share.
Posted by Anonymous, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jan 30, 2008 at 6:00 am
I too would like to know how buying a kid a car gets them ahead in life. My first job was local and I WALKED to it. My second job was two towns over and I HAD to use the money earned while working the first job to buy my first car. My parents covered insurance only. The car, gas and maintenance was on me.
Today's kids are spoiled rotten -- and it shows in ways too numerous to mention.
Posted by matthew, a resident of the Happy Valley neighborhood, on Aug 27, 2008 at 3:46 pm
it gives them freedom and mobility which helps for research, work, ect. ect. i bought my first car at 18 myself. taught me more of the value of a dollar and responsibility than my friends who were riding their BMW'S
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