It can be hard to be a mom and constantly think of ways to keep your children in line that they will actually respond to and change their behavior. My children are only pre-schoolers, so my guess is this only gets harder as children grow older. This is why one mom in Indiana is my new hero.

Dynesha Lax has lost control of her 14-year-old son. She says her son has already been convicted of multiple felonies and the courts aren't changing things. Finally, in a fit of desperation, Lax forced her son to stand on a high traffic street in Fort Wayne, Indiana wearing a sign: "I lie, I steal, I sell drugs, I don’t follow the law." She is awesome. She is a kick-booty mom and I am impressed.

See CNN video below:

We could all ask how her wayward son became wayward, but I think, as parents, we ought to have some sympathy for the idea that some things are simply out of control. For her to maintain composure and do something like this tells me a lot about who she is as a mom. Personally, I am not sure I would have that restraint.

Some might call this punishment humiliating and, to be sure, it's designed to be so. But you know what is more humiliating? Jail. And that is where this boy is headed if he doesn't get it together.

I wouldn't use humiliation as a punishment technique for a 5-year-old. I would also not use it with a 10-year-old. But at 14, this boy should know better. His actions have consequences and clearly those consequences aren't fazing him. So maybe a little humiliation will.

I feel for this mom because, if I had to guess, I would say it won't work. At 14, he is a bit far gone and if he isn't worried about hurting his poor mother, then he probably doesn't care all that much what the driving public thinks of him as they see his sign. But she is an example of truly good parenting. She sees what her son can be and she is trying to steer him that way despite unbelievably bad odds. She is admirable and I hope she succeeds.

Do you think this is a good punishment?

 

Image via CNN