Abuse is not punishment!

     So I read a "Dear Abby" submission about a girl named "Amelia" who was lying to her parents and sneaking out around boys. She is 13 years old. Check it out for yourself.

      While the teenager's behavior is completely unacceptable, I am appalled at how the parents handled it. Shaving her head??!! Are you serious??!! I am going to be a mom in just a short time, and I cannot imagine doing that to my child. I understand that they were not able to get through to her, but to go to that extent amazes me. Of course parents love their child, and some may have a hard time figuring out how to deal with an unruly child, but that is not a show of love and concern.

     Am I wrong to suggest that the chosen method of "punishment" is abuse? I don't think I am too far off.
   
     I agree with the advice given. Family counseling. They will be lucky to even come close to repairing the damage that has been done. On all sides of the story. It is hopefully worth a shot. It seems to me that there isn't a person in that family knows how to listen.

     So let's all keep in mind, that when we are about to lose our minds, to think of the effects the response and punishment of a wrong doing is going to effect the family as a whole. I will punish my  kids when it is warranted, but I will do so in a manner that everyone will learn from the experience and grow as family.
 
     Lord knows this world isn't ready for my kids, anyway ;)