JayBlanc wrote:When your parenting style mimics that of Malory Archer, there might be a problem.
Oh God. I'm so glad I'm not the only one who thought that. I saw the latest episode after hearing the story, I think (could be wrong on that) but the two are so similar it's eerie.
Personally, I think shooting the laptop was the worst thing (first of all he shouldn't have taken back a gift, period. Second of all if he had been letting her use it with the understanding that it was still his, then he should have donated it or sold it or something, not destroyed it).
She's 15. I know the laws are a bit different in the US and you can work some jobs when you're 15 and don't have to wait to be 18, but... The way I see it, having kids is something you do for yourself, because you want kids, just like wanting a puppy or kitty or car or whatever. The difference with the car is that the other three are living things, and by having them you take full responsibility to take care of them entirely, in the case of the pets until they're dead, in the case of kids until they're 18.
Having a place to live in his house isn't "something he's letting her because's his nice". It's his duty and only fair because he caused the kid to be here, and he owes her at least that much. It's like complimenting yourself for saving someone from drowning when you're the one who pushed them into a river.
Now, telling her that Facebook is public and that he doesn't like her tone is one thing I can understand. The video I,m not approving of, the fact that he grounded her before I'm not approving of, destroying her laptop I'm not approving of, and giving her chores without making them optional and paying her for them I'm not approving of. I don't know if she's a bitchy brat or just a regular teenager, except her ranting ended up on facebook rather than in her friends' ears due to the time she's living in, but in his case we know he's an adult and I think he should know better.
Even if you're of the school of "she should earn everything she gets" (which I believe she has already earned until she's 18 as a repayment for being born), still what kind of lesson is that supposed to be? "An eye for an eye, and some more"? "You talk shit about us online so I'll do the same and break your stuff"?
What kind of weird teenager doesn't talk shit about their parents?