<Not saying that I would or wouldnt do this but will save in memory in case the need arises>



DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Jane Hambleton has dubbed herself the "meanest mom on the planet."

After finding alcohol in her son's car, she decided to sell the car and share her 19-year-old's misdeed with everyone -- by placing an ad in the local newspaper.

The ad reads: "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."

Hambleton has heard from people besides interested buyers since recently placing the ad in The Des Moines Register.

The 48-year-old from Fort Dodge says she has fielded more than 70 telephone calls from emergency room technicians, nurses, school counselors and even a Georgia man who wanted to congratulate her.

"The ad cost a fortune, but you know what? I'm telling people what happened here," Hambleton says. "I'm not just gonna put the car for resale when there's nothing wrong with it, except the driver made a dumb decision.

"It's overwhelming the number of calls I've gotten from people saying 'Thank you, it's nice to see a responsible parent.' So far there are no calls from anyone saying, 'You're really strict. You're real overboard, lady."'

The only critic is her son, who Hambleton says is "very, very unhappy" with the ad and claims the alcohol was left by a passenger.

Hambleton believes her son but has decided mercy isn't the best policy in this case. She says she set two rules when she bought the car at Thanksgiving: No booze, and always keep it locked.

The car has been sold, but Hambleton says she will continue the ad for another week -- just for the feedback.

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I admire her and wish more parents were hardheaded with their judgment and cleverness like she she was. Her son knows all too well now not to challenge her or think that she is not on to any secrets he may have. One day, not anytime soon, her son will thank her and laugh about it.

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I commend her for following through on the originally stated rules. Can you imagine this 19 year old forty years down the road with kids of his own?. He'll be telling them, "Well, I don't think you have it that bad. I had to walk uphill both ways on snow drifted Iowa roads because your grandmother sold my car!"

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She sounds like she just might be up for the Greatest Mom of the Year award to me!

LOL and kudos to Mom!

I am thinking of printing it that story and giving it to my son.

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Sell crazy some place else, we are all stocked up here.

LOL That's awesome! I bet he thought she'd never have the follow through to actually sell it

If she had a parenting advice column I'd read it

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that's cool! It reminds me of the mom who put magnetic signs on her kids' car to "'how am I driving? all mom " or some thing like that with the phone number. If the kid got caught driving without the signs, they totally lost driving privlidges.

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I love this, and agree with the poster that said they wish more parents were like this!!! I would SO do this.....

Wow, funny ad. I can just imagine how much that kid hates his mom now.
I don't think I could have done something like that to my son.Maybe take the keys away for a year and make him go to AAA meetings,but I don't think I could go to the extent she did in punishing him.I think that was a bit too harsh.

I think it's great, we need more like her!!!

When I heard this story on WBBM yesterday, I had to laugh!

Hats off to that mom! I can't say that isn't something I wouldn't do, either!

She sounds like a great Mom to me! Someday hopefully her son will actually thank her! ~Lisa

When I was reading this post the story came on our noon TV news. LOL

The last lady who they showed had the opinion that she didn't think "This was a very motherly thing to do". She was an older lady so I was surprised.

I totally agree with the classified ad.

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Living well IS the best revenge!!

Now that is "TOUGH LOVE"....and I bet it is no picnic living with her son right now!!

I saw something similar awhile ago...a mother sitting on the sidewalk watching her teenage son, who was wearing a "sandwich sign", marching back and forth on the sidewalk in front of their home. I don't know if we was caught doing/selling drugs or alcohol - my mind is going - but it was along the same lines as this mom.

More Moms like her=less dead kids. Sorry to be so blunt but there have been a rash of car accidents and dead teens around here lately.

Wow way to go!!! I would've of done the same thing, I just wouldn't of thought of something that extreme. Bet he's re-thinking some things...lol. Hats off to her!

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Proud Single Mother to 18 year old Twins Ashley/Davey, 14 year old Shawna, 5 year old Emma, and my Boo Bear, "Angel Hope" (1996-1997) RIP Boo.

Funny this is the headline in my paper today he actually lives right by me pretty wierd LOL!!

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mom of 3 greats girls

Did anyone else notice that the son is 19 years old? He's not 15 or 16. I was just wondering if the car was in his name and if he paid the insurance on it. I know it's illegal to drink till you're 21 but if the car was in the son's name, could she actually sell it like she did?

Just wondering..... (I know, sometimes I think too much!)

in the articale on him in our paper today it sounds like she bought it & he is a college student

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mom of 3 greats girls

I read this car for sale ad to my 16 year old daughter. She asked if the booze was included in the sale of the car. . . . .