The ultimate Christmas surprise for a spoiled kid.

[Jesus_marley]

If he didn't get a buyer he could simply put in the box a series of pictures depicting Good ol' dad destroying the system with a hammer.... with a little note that explains the consequences of disrespect.

 

[Aeson]

I hope it's true. I love the idea. I wish I was the lucky buyer.

 

[Rel]

If he didn't get a buyer he could simply put in the box a series of pictures depicting Good ol' dad destroying the system with a hammer.... with a little note that explains the consequences of disrespect.

Put me in the crowd who doesn't really think this is true. BUT, if it is true then I honestly think that the best parenting move in the long run is not to sell the thing for a loss and give the kid a box full of coal. Better IMHO that he should give the kid an empty box with a note inside saying how diappointed you are with his behavior of late and how you expect better in the future. I'd also outline how if I were to see improvement over the next (X period of time, probably at least a couple months) that he would get the contents of the box and retain possession of it so long as his behavior was at an acceptable level.

In fact, I might just skip the box itself and give him the note, probably before Christmas morning. For a kid that age, disappointment over not getting a special gift is the sort of thing that can stick with them for a long time. The emotional whiplash of seeing the box and then having it full of nothing (or coal) just seems a bit unnecessarily cruel.

Unless he damaged the $2,000 stereo system when he kicked it, in which case you beat him with a sack of coal fortnightly until he's gotten a job and paid off the cost of repairs/replacements.

 

[ssampier]

Rel is more about bribery and I prefer guilt. I guess we can tell who the father is

(hint: it's not me).