I think this father has done the right thing. For too long parents have sat back and let their kids get away with almost anything. I was in the UK a few months back and spoke to people about the London riots last year. Many adults said that teens rampaging from shop to shop is the result of lenient parenting. I do agree on this. If we give our children a sense of responsibility they will learn from an early age of what is acceptable behavior.

http://childbehaviorinfo.com

It scares me, Kelly. I feel the father might also be out of control. I know that kids are different, and each should be treated so. But they all need love (unconditional love). I hope that this situation turns out good and that we don't hear any more in the media about this family. There's a fine line between shooting property and then abuse to children and spouse.

I completely agree with you Kelly! Society as a whole has become too accepting of bad behavior and it usually starts at home. When did discipline become something to be scared of and confused with abuse? This father is taking a stand with his daughter because he loves her. So many parents today don't seem to have any expectations of their children. Its easier to say "yes" or ignore behavior than to actually parent and enforce rules and boundaries. Too bad more parents don't watch the video and learn something from it.

Maye a little extreme, but who of us who have had teenagers in our home have not resorted to the extreme. Teens know how to push our buttons. Growing up I knew just how far to go and it certainly wasn't what kids are allowed to get by with today.

I have a problem with him taking that kind of action. Would he not of accomplished the same thing by just getting rid of te laptop. Now, he has taught her if it's bad put a bullet through it. The problem lies here with parents and society as a whole now, we have created this mess our kids are in. When are we going to step up and take responsibility for what we have let happen. If you actually talk with kids and get on thier level, they want boundaries and discipline to a degree. I work with teenagers everyday of my life and if this teen came in my office with this story I'm affraid I would not be ok with it, don't get me wrong, I think something harsh was needed but not a gun. Good story to get people thinking though, Kelly!!

Very good article! Hopefully many children see this and realize how much they take for granted.

Parenting principle is not “either…or” but ‘neither…nor” or “beyond either…or”.
A child/ teen’s motivation to follow our instructions best comes after we first humble ourselves. For example, when your child / teen gets emotional or has a wrong behavior, first try to understand what she/he may be experiencing emotional action, in other words, try to understand his/her thoughts behind the wrong behavior , and forgive him/her and his/her heart. Your love, understanding, forgiveness, kind and accepting words are the fuel that he/she seeks. By demonstrating these attributes, you allow his/her heart to feel secure and be filled with trust, confidence, joy, and an understanding that one must endure through trials. By showing love, understanding, and forgiveness, your child/teen should, in time, be willing to follow your instructions.

Like adults, children/teens’ hearts are also controlled by rebellion, manipulation, selfishness, etc. A secure heart-one filled with trust, confidence, joy and love-can, in most situations, overcome a rebellious heart filled with manipulative tendencies and selfishness. Once a child/teen’s heart is filled with trust, confidence, joy and love, the child/teen will be more receptive to a parent when the parent points out-and explains-the error of the child/teen’s behavior. Through a parent’s understanding, love, and forgiveness, a child/teen’s heart will be transformed and he/she will better understand that the instructions a parent provides are meant to teach him/her, lead him/her, and help him/her grow and change(improve) his /her behavior.
When you child/teen’s heart is willing to follow your instructions, he/she also needs your guide, your help.

Right on target. As daughter of gun owning father I am certain he handles them with care. As a parent who survived two teenagers through troubles I admit to my share of drastic measures to get their attention. We can't judge him as harass while excusing her disrespect and blatant disregard for rules. Sad we are raising spoiled entitled kids because we are able to give them things easier with less hard work and there is no waiting or earning it so they hold less value.

Agree in favor of the Father. The teenage girl was obviously beyond talking and reason. As they become older and think that they know far more than their parents could possibly know (in their opinions), desperate actions are sometimes the only thing to get their attention. While I would not have shot the laptop, as they are expensive, some other action, such as making her donate it to a charitable organization with Dad present, may have also worked, or not. This Father did not seem to be putting his daughter in harms way, but rather letting her know in a very public way, that she was not going to get away with disrespect for her family or for family rules. She made the choice to put her ideas, thoughts and opinions about him into print. As to it being on face book, he also taught another lesson. Face book is not necessarily private, if someone wants to find information they often can. If you wouldn't want it to be seen, don't print it. She now knows that her Dad is much smarter than she thought, and that he is willing to go to extremes in an effort to be a good parent.