The World’s Meanest Mom
In the news last week was a story of a mother who sold her son’s car after he didn’t follow her rules. This is what happened:
A mother bought her 18-year-old son a car and told him that she had two simple rules: 1) no booze (alcohol) in the car and 2) keep the car locked. One day, the mother decides to check to see if her son had followed her rules. She finds that the car is unlocked and there is a bottle of alcohol under the front seat. He was busted (discovered)!
What did she do? She placed the following classified ad (personal advertisement) in the Des Moines Register, a major newspaper in the State of Iowa where
they live:
“OLDS 1999 Intrigue. Totally uncool parents who obviously don’t love teenage son, selling his car. Only driven for three weeks before snoopy mom who needs to get a life found booze under front seat. $3,700/offer. Call meanest mom on the planet.”
uncool = not nice; not sympathetic
obviously = clearly
snoopy = looking around secretly to find information
to get a life = to not worry about unimportant things
mean/meanest = unkind/the most unkind
Many people thought this ad was very funny because the mother used some of the common words and phrases angry teenagers might use to describe a parent who is doing something they don’t like. Someone who doesn’t share a teenager’s views is “uncool” and someone who pries (tries to find out other people’s private information) is a snoop or is snoopy. A teenager might tell you “to get a life” and to stop bother them. If parents force a teenager to do something they don’t like, they might call those parents “mean.”
The ad got a lot of attention in the media. Many people said that this mother was not only clever (smart and funny) to use her son’s words and point of view in the ad, but that she was right to enforce (to force someone to follow) her rules. This story was reported by the national news and appeared on national television.
~ Lucy
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:23 am
Hahahhaha
I think the son hadn´t believe in what his mom said about don´t follow her rules, but she done what she had said.
This post is good to learn these new expressions and slangs i didn´t know.
Best Regards
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:11 pm
That´s very nince. I will try to do my best when my daughter have the same age, and (i hope not) do the same thing!
Kind regards!
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Thank you Lucy for clearing it up. When I read the ad the first time, I had no idea what it’s talking about.
With Lucy’s detailed explanation I get a clue about today’s teenage’s jargon. Thank you!
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:06 pm
It sounds funny but at the end she made her point. And despite she bought her son a car he didn’t obey her mom. I’ve seen how parents spoil their children by not keeping their promises. Teenagers have to understand they are under their parents control. If they want to do go other way, they should get a job and pay for their own food and their housing facilities. It’s a tough age but as a father, when I am, I won’t let my children get their way and disrespect me as I’ve seen it happens with my uncles.
Greetings,
JC
January 23rd, 2008 at 3:11 am
I remember a “The Simpons” chapter in which Ned Flanders, in a bout of rage, after his house collapses due to a hurricane, release a torrent of ugly words to the Springfield resident, especially to Homer. Ned then goes by his own to the Mental Hospital looking for a therapy. While in the hospital, Flanders is visited by Dr. Foster, who informs Ned of his childhood experiences: an out-of-control brat raised up by beatnik parents who did not believe in discipline.
Is just a fictitious example to illustrate that a good chosen set of rules is always needed to ensure the good emotional growth of the children.
Just my opinion
Regards
January 24th, 2008 at 3:00 am
It is funny and full of american flavor
January 24th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Ha Ha Ha .. It’s funny and clever mom ~ Isn’t she lovely ???