Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Mom Sparks Debate By Detailing Daughter's 'Extreme' Punishment On Social Media

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Jun, 2018 12:07 PM
    A Newfoundland mom is being both praised and panned for what some say are extreme measures to punish her daughter for apparent bullying behaviour — and then discussing it all on social media.
     
     
    Amanda Mitchell posted three pictures on Facebook of her nine-year-old daughter's room after she stripped it of everything except the young girl's bed and a single change of clothing for the week.
     
     
    Mitchell said the near-empty room — along with the same outfit of an anti-bullying T-shirt — was punishment for acting up in school and being mean to a friend.
     
     
    The mother of two also planned to make her daughter copy phrases — 50 times apiece — including "I will not lie," "I will be kind to everyone" and "I am responsible for my own actions."
     
     
    "Welcome to Mommy's Juvenile Detention little girl," she said in the post.
     
     
    "Harsh? Not in my opinion. If she grows up to break the law then the result is jail and that's not what I want for my children. I think the problem with this generation is inadequate punishment. Punishment is bad, we should only use positive reinforcement and ignore all bad behaviour — NOT in this house."
     
     
    Mitchell said she was just trying to dole out what she thought was adequate punishment, adding that her daughter is usually very well-behaved.
     
     
    She told Global News the little girl was a bit shocked when she first saw her room, but was contrite after they talked about why the behaviour was happening.
     
     
    "She's been very apologetic, very remorseful," Mitchell said. "She wrote a letter to her friend she was mean to. She wrote a letter to her teacher."
     
     
    Mitchell, who declined to say where she lives in Newfoundland, said she initially posted the photos Saturday to share with her local "mom friends" because she figured they could relate.
     
     
    What she didn't anticipate, was the overwhelming interest and response.
     
     
    As of Monday afternoon, the post has about 59,600 shares and more than 98,000 reactions. There were also a couple hundred comments — many from fellow parents.
     
     
    "Excellent ... this is how to teach children there are consequences to their actions. This is how they learn," read one.
     
     
    "Wow! Awesome parenting!" read another.
     
     
    The majority of comments were favourable, though some did question her decision to make the public post.
     
     
    "Wow. I really feel that this is extreme ... How old is your child? I feel that taking away toys, electronics etc. But making your child wear the same outfit to school for a week and stripping her entire room …overboard," wrote one person.
     
     
    Mitchell said the feedback caused her to re-think her punishment, a bit.
     
     
    Her daughter won't be wearing the same outfit every day and instead will rotate through four anti-bullying shirts. As well, the little girl has to copy 25 lines instead of 50.
     
     
    Mitchell said 90 per cent of the comments were in favour of the action, with about 20 messages calling her "nasty and telling me I'm a terrible parent."
     
     
    She said her daughter has already earned a few of her belongings back, including some books, her side table and lamp.
     
     
    PHOTO: AMANDA MITCHELL/FACEBOOK

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Marc Garneau Calls Out Airline Qatar Airways CEO For Saying Women Can't Do His Job

    Marc Garneau Calls Out Airline Qatar Airways CEO For Saying Women Can't Do His Job
    OTTAWA — Canada's transport minister is calling out the newly installed chairman of a global airline association for saying that his job as head of Qatar Airways would be too difficult for a woman to perform.

    Marc Garneau Calls Out Airline Qatar Airways CEO For Saying Women Can't Do His Job

    Ontario Premier-Designate Doug Ford Says He Stands With PM In U.S. Trade Dispute

    Ontario Premier-Designate Doug Ford Says He Stands With PM In U.S. Trade Dispute
    Doug Ford said Friday that he told Justin Trudeau he stands with the prime minister in a trade dispute with the United States, emphasizing Ontario's ties with the federal government a day after leading his Progressive Conservatives to a majority.

    Ontario Premier-Designate Doug Ford Says He Stands With PM In U.S. Trade Dispute

    Supreme Court Rules Against City Over 2008 Hockey Riot Vandalism

    Supreme Court Rules Against City Over 2008 Hockey Riot Vandalism
    OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled against the City of Montreal in a case involving rioters who damaged police vehicles after a 2008 Montreal Canadiens victory.

    Supreme Court Rules Against City Over 2008 Hockey Riot Vandalism

    DNA Privacy Questioned As Police Nab Suspects By Searching Family Trees

    DNA Privacy Questioned As Police Nab Suspects By Searching Family Trees
    VICTORIA — As the years stretched into decades with no arrests after his sister's body was found in Washington state, it was becoming hard for John Van Cuylenborg of Victoria, B.C., to maintain hope for any justice or answers.

    DNA Privacy Questioned As Police Nab Suspects By Searching Family Trees

    'Something Positive:' Victims Of Ski Coach Bertrand Charest Urging Ottawa To Make Sport Safer

    'Something Positive:' Victims Of Ski Coach Bertrand Charest Urging Ottawa To Make Sport Safer
    Charest was found guilty in June 2017 of 37 sex-related charges and was given a 12-year prison term.

    'Something Positive:' Victims Of Ski Coach Bertrand Charest Urging Ottawa To Make Sport Safer

    Surrey To Have First Of 10 Primary Care Centres In B.C., Using Team Of Experts

    Surrey To Have First Of 10 Primary Care Centres In B.C., Using Team Of Experts
    British Columbia's premier has announced the opening of 10 urgent primary care centres across the province over the next year, starting with the first in Surrey this fall.

    Surrey To Have First Of 10 Primary Care Centres In B.C., Using Team Of Experts