US

A South Carolina Mom Gets Creative in Punishing Her 13-Year-Old Son for Smoking Pot

After a South Carolina mother caught her 13-year-old son smoking pot with a group of his friends, she devised a plan to ensure he would think twice before doing it again.

Instead of grounding him or taking his iPhone away, likely most parents’ knee-jerk reaction, April Mathison of Beaufort instead forced her son Brandon to stand and walk along the city’s main intersection with a sign that read, “Smoked pot, Got caught! Don’t I look cool? Not!”

“Timeouts and taking things away from them just don’t seem to work anymore,” Mathison told local NBC affiliate WTOC. “Sometimes a little public humility, you know, is what they need nowadays to get a point across. And if this works for him, and maybe saves one or two other students from thinking about picking this stuff up, then I feel like I’ve done my job as a parent.”

Brandon, visibly humiliated, said he doesn’t plan on puffing the magic dragon again anytime soon.

“I got to change my life and stop,” he told WTOC, adding “I don’t want to do this again.”

(H/T:: Gawker)

Comments (105)

1 2
  • Zoe
    Posted on August 28, 2012 at 7:18am

    If he‘s smoking pot maybe you didn’t do your job……

    But, maybe you did….

    Who’s he hanging with…….

    Report Post » Zoe  
    • huey6367
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 8:21am

      He got it from mom wh has not been caught

      Report Post »  
    • Poggle The Stick
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 10:49am

      Beginning at that age, teens make about fifty percent of their choices. At 14, they naturally make about 70 percent. And at about 15 and 16. 90 to 95 percent. When they hit 18, it’s 100 percent.

      Now, there is not much she could have done to prevent this from happening. Besides, God might have NEEDED him or WANTED him to go around with that sign – it will change a lot of people’s lives, and it can help parents realize how punishments need to work.

      Don’t blame the mother! Besides, I would assume that right now and for a long time that she will be devastated and disappointed. This was his mistake, not hers.

      Report Post » Poggle The Stick  
  • sasquatch08
    Posted on August 28, 2012 at 5:13am

    Bleh, is pot harmful? Probably not. Is it a gateway drug? No.

    The reason it might lead to other drugs has nothing to do with marijuana itself, but rather the type of people (the criminal element in society) that it draws, many of whom use harder drugs. Hang out with these people long enough and harder drugs seem cool and safe.

    That said, if she doesn’t want her kids smoking weed (really, what parent would!?) then whatever punishment, within reason, that she deems necessary she should use. Nuff said.

    Report Post »  
    • toejam
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 6:18am

      Maybe not “harmful”. Just makes one dumb. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9426205/Cannabis-smoking-permanently-lowers-IQ.html

      Report Post »  
    • Melika
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 7:56am

      At that age, drug use of any kind permanently changes brain chemistry and results, at best, in a permanent reduction in intelligence. It is not a benign drug, nor is it appropriate to use it as a recreational drug. The “logic” from pot users is that it isn’t as bad as crack or X, but that doesn’t make it good, especially in a child. Beer isn’t as bad as Vodka, but we wouldn’t consider it appropriate to allow a child to imbibe.

      Report Post »  
    • JRook
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 9:55am

      @Melika Spare us the unsubstantiated nonsense. A beer and a shot of Vodka have the same amount of alcohol and thus the same effect on the body and brain. Let’s try and have a somewhat intelligent discussion on the use patterns and effects of mild recreational drugs vs. the continued spread of nonsense. If you sit around and drink beer all day you are certainly no better off than someone who sits around and smokes pot all day. But then again, that is not the average user of either. If you really believe in less government intrusion into people’s lives than a recreational drug that is no less harmful than alcohol should be legalized. The reason it isn’t has more to do with the liquor industry lobbying and money than the facts.

      Report Post »  
    • jungle J
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 9:58am

      you speak as a burnout would or a hater of youth or a mental case…..you cannot be that stupid!!

      Report Post »  
    • jungle J
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 10:02am

      JRook…you only make sense to burnouts.

      Report Post »  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 11:40am

      ummm…actually SASQUATCH..new study just released says constant cannabis use throughout one’s life will reduce your IQ, memory and attention…PERMANENTLY. Keep trying champ.

      Report Post »  
    • FREEDOMoverFEAR
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 11:47am

      A lot of lies are taken for facts with marijuana. First of all Harvard nueroscience discovered brain cells aren’t grown just in prenatal development but rather they regenerated your entire life. The most detrimental thing to brain cell growth was stress! Secondly Harvard nueroscience also determined marijuana doesn’t permanently effect intelligence or cognition. http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/2001/10.11/marijuana.html

      Report Post » FREEDOMoverFEAR  
    • FREEDOMoverFEAR
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 3:19pm

      ToeJam

      There are so many conflicting studies on marijuana. Some studies say it does in fact make you more stupid (dumb means you can’t speak) others say that it doesn’t. It’s about as decided as global warming.

      http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/2001/10.11/marijuana.html This study says it does not affect intelligence and or cognition.

      http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19372456 This study by Prof. Terri Moffitt says that it does affect intelligence and cognition.

      I believe the Harvard study to be more valid because they required the people to be sober while taking the tests while Prof. Moffit allowed them to be stoned during the tests. Harvard’s study showed their test results improved after a week of being sober. They felt the reason they did poorly during the first week was due to withdrawals rather than the marijuana because after a week the person’s scores improved.

      Report Post » FREEDOMoverFEAR  
    • toejam
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 4:35pm

      Freedomoverfear

      According to the Oxford and Merriam-Webster dictionaries one of the definitions of dumb is indeed a lacking of intelligence or good judgment; stupid; or dull-witted. We can argue all day over accurate or inaccurate studies of marijuana use. I unfortunately have first hand experience with a long-term heavy user. A very smart person at times. Not so much the remainder. An idiot-savant. It’s frustrating and sad. This person acknowledges that heavy smoking of weed for thirty years has caused severe issues. If it can happen to them, it can happen to anyone. But hey it was “their choice” and they suffered the consequence.

      Report Post »  
  • grayling646
    Posted on August 28, 2012 at 2:56am

    He’ll quit when he decides to quit (if he decides to). Doesn’t matter what Mama does.

    Report Post »  
  • Slowman101
    Posted on August 28, 2012 at 2:56am

    @ BLESSEDONE333: SHE should get mom of the year, and YOU should getsomecommon sense you moron.

    Report Post »  
    • Exiled
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 7:54am

      Any psychologist will tell you that this sort of “punishment” isn’t very effective in the long run.

      Report Post »  
    • OhioRifleman
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 10:27am

      @ Exiled

      Which is why I think it will work. I take little stock in psychologists, after having been misread by them for decades.

      Report Post » OhioRifleman  
  • PurrrpleMtnMajesty
    Posted on August 28, 2012 at 2:29am

    And our prez wants to legalize it…..then what will kids do to rebel?
    Too bad those in power or in the public eye (hollywood, musicians, sports players)
    do everything possible to undermine good parenting by promoting heavy drug and
    sexual experimentation.
    With more parents like this one, there is hope for this nation as our only hope
    is in our youth. With libs dominating and embarassing kids who have conservative
    values from kindergarden thru college, kids have so much pressure, not JUST from
    their peers, but from their teachers, professors and from those they admire (leaders, famous,etc)
    Even our prez is a former cocaine user and seller according to his own book.

    Report Post »  
    • essence428
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 6:55am

      He says “former.” But we all know he LIES.

      Report Post »  
    • starman70
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 7:35am

      The government has been on a strident anti-smoking campaign for quite a few years, yet we have a president who is a smoker and he even wants to legalize SMOKING pot.

      Sounds like a double standard to me!

      Report Post »  
  • scruffycat
    Posted on August 28, 2012 at 2:16am

    Pot? He should have at least gotten to smoke some good hash for all that sandwich boarding.

    Report Post » scruffycat  
  • face.chewer
    Posted on August 28, 2012 at 2:00am

    That kid should just smoke crack like his mama.

    Report Post »  
  • SerikFox
    Posted on August 28, 2012 at 1:59am

    Mom of the month; and possibly mom of the year award.

    Report Post »  
  • marine249
    Posted on August 28, 2012 at 1:54am

    did yoy see the hair do on that
    female news reader? I think I need
    my 1st hit.

    Report Post »  
  • Meggars53
    Posted on August 28, 2012 at 1:51am

    Great job, Mama!

    Report Post » Meggars53  
  • Master_and_Commander
    Posted on August 28, 2012 at 1:35am

    I like this mom haha

    Report Post »  
    • QuincySmith
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 1:45am

      I do too!

      Report Post » QuincySmith  
    • v15
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 2:56am

      Naw. She‘s teaching her son that it’s okay to be overweight. Obesity kills A LOT more people than weed does.

      Report Post » v15  
    • The Jewish Avenger
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 8:04am

      Funny thing about pot heads and liberals, not only do they think that their way of “living” is right, they also think their arguments are sounds points as to why they are right….

      Ever heard a paranoid dope head get all in a huff and argue about their reasoning why they shouldn’t get flak for smoking dope? (Dope, there is reason why that is slang for retarded)

      Sounds like a liberal to me…

      3. Informal A stupid person; a dolt.

      Report Post » The Jewish Avenger  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on August 28, 2012 at 12:56am

    It is sad that a 13 year old was already smoking pot. I know that they are starting early these days but it took me by surprise anyway. Pushers need to have stricter punishments. Build more jails. Fill them up with pushers and never let them out.

    Report Post »  
    • v15
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 1:20am

      The sentences for most drug-related crimes are too severe. The “war on drugs” is a joke. Many sex offenders and rapists serve less time in prison than those people who distribute or use drugs. Drug “pushers”? You obviously know jack **** about drugs, meds, and naturally occurring substances. Totally brain washed.

      Report Post » v15  
    • ICRedifURBlue
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 1:36am

      My kid is 15……..if you sell to her, and I catch you………..RIP………sorry for your momma’s loss……

      Report Post »  
    • v15
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 3:04am

      Murdering a drug dealer is still murder. But I guess it’s better to teach your 15 year old that murder is okay and smoking weed is bad? Thanks for your psychopathic input.

      Report Post » v15  
    • Kupo
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 5:01am

      Exactly, V15. It’s amazing the levels of sociopathy so many people on this website stoop to.

      Report Post » Kupo  
    • Moment of Clarity
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 5:21am

      The US has a larger % of it’s population in prisons than any other country, solely because of pot. Far more death and misery is brought into people’s lives by alcohol than by pot, yet alcohol is legal and pot is not. Pot should be legalized, regulated and taxed like alcohol. The only reason pot is not legalized is because too much money and many jobs – courts, law enforcement, prisons, alcohol industries, etc., are dependent upon it being illegal. It’s always about the money.
      If the boy got caught drinking, he’d still be walking with his sandwich board.

      Report Post »  
    • SCREW-WINDOWS
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 7:21am

      Obviously there is a need to escape life’s bummers but do you just mask it or or make a change in your life. Pot heads just mask their ills and will never find happiness.

      Report Post » SCREW-WINDOWS  
    • grimmster
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 8:13am

      @v15 aka encinom.
      Figured you would respond to this article and with multiple user names, imagine that, you crackhead pos.And as was said, had a pusher even come near my kids when they were that young, dead meat.

      Report Post »  
    • jungle J
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 10:00am

      v15…me thinks the doth protest too much.

      Report Post »  
    • FREEDOMoverFEAR
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 3:28pm

      TheGreatCarnac

      You need to have harsher punishments for the users. It is easier to dissuade an individual from using than it is the prevent a person from selling drugs. There will always be a person willing to break laws for financial gain. Take California for example they still punish dealers but the state reduced punishment for end users and drugs are ubiquitous in this state. Wyoming will lock you up for possessing a pipe so their aren’t many people who use drugs there. So why would anyone try to take drugs to sell there? Simple supply and demand trust me I’ve been in the marijuana community for over 16 years experienced it first hand in both states. It can take a week to get an 1/8th of an ounce in Wyoming and about 30 minutes in Comifornia.

      Report Post » FREEDOMoverFEAR  
    • FREEDOMoverFEAR
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 3:36pm

      Grimmster I love the passion. That‘s how you should feel about your children’s health. I would like to remind people there’s a difference between a pot head and a person who uses pot. I have been a pot head and it’s tough to find motivation to accomplish simple tasks. Having said that I would also like to point out that I still consume pot, just far less far less often and I feel that it doesn’t effect my life negatively what so ever. I am an extremely productive citizen and pay out the rectum in taxes.

      Report Post » FREEDOMoverFEAR  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on August 28, 2012 at 12:16am

    …
    Tough love is the best love. What a great Mom.
    She cared enough to intervene and get involved.

    The kid got off pretty light. In addition to walking the streets wearing a sign, I would have grounded him, and took away his phone, TV, video games, and computer. He would have had to earn each item back, one at a time.

    Report Post »  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on August 28, 2012 at 12:09am

    Well, the good thing is that if he keeps smoking weed… he will have experience as a “sign spinner” and will have a great career in Tampa Fl.

    Hey Brandon, people on Craigslist are looking for you.

    What goes up must come down
    spinning wheel got to go round
    Talking about your troubles it’s a crying sin
    Ride a painted pony
    Let the spinning wheel spin

    You got no money, and you, you got no home
    Spinning wheel, spinning all alone
    Talking about your troubles and you, you never learn
    Ride a painted pony
    let the spinning wheel turn

    Did you find a directing sign
    on the straight and narrow highway?
    Would you mind a reflecting sign
    Just let it shine within your mind
    And show you the colours that are real

    Someone is waiting just for you
    spinning wheel is spinning true
    Drop all your troubles, by the river side
    Catch a painted pony
    On the spinning wheel ride

    Someone is waiting just for you
    spinning wheel is spinning true
    Drop all your troubles, by the river side
    Ride a painted pony
    Let the spinning wheel fly

    Report Post » The-Monk  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on August 28, 2012 at 12:04am

    shoulda spanked his azz …………………

    and the nosy liberal that calls child services afterwards

    Report Post » Psychosis  
    • NineteenEighty4
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 1:32am

      Yes, corporeal punishment shows just how much unconditional love there is between a child and parent. No, don’t teach children wrong from right, through words and your own actions. Punish any instance of wrong with physical and emotional violence, just to show how much you love them. This will surely work. If it doesn’t, you aren’t hitting hard or frequently enough.

      Report Post »  
    • OhioRifleman
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 10:46am

      @ 1984

      I believe the corporate version of what you are fronting is: “The beatings will continue until morale improves.” Little more succinct than the paragraph you dumped.

      I’m not making judgments on this one, but I’ll say this much: the faster this brat learns the world is not a nice place, the faster he will become an effective and disciplined member of society. Leaving someone under the ‘kinder, gentler’ illusions of youth leads to the mush-head liberals that have destroyed this country. The sooner, the better.

      As to the value of spanking, I got a 2″ police duty belt when I really fouled up. Painful? Certainly. Traumatizing? Arguable, but for sure I didn’t make the same mistake twice. Effective? Oh hell yes. End result: I am easily one of the most civil and respectful persons I know, with a minor grading curve for my profession (computer technology / security – virus elimination specialist) being one to draw profanity out of a saint.

      Psychology only goes so far. Results determine the value of actions and reactions, not the opinion of an uninvolved party.

      Report Post » OhioRifleman  
  • this1can
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:59pm

    Sounds like it wasn’t the first time he smoked pot it sounds like he done it a few times. I don’t know if this was enough to do the job. Maybe she should make him smoke a couple joints and then walk around with the sign. Then he would feel really dumb Love/pray

    Report Post »  
    • FREEDOMoverFEAR
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 3:42pm

      Keep him busy with sports and other activities. Search his pockets, search his room, go through his phone record, give him urine analysis’s, make sure his grades aren’t slipping, don’t let him have any cash, get to know his friends, and judge him by the company he keeps. If he slips up punish him severily.

      Report Post » FREEDOMoverFEAR  
  • v15
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:50pm

    This is ridiculous. Total BS that the government can criminalize a naturally occurring indigenous plant.

    Report Post » v15  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 1:08am

      You mean like poppies, poison ivy, and night-shade plants? Everything in the world came from the earth, even so-called man-made items.
      Oil is a natural earth-produced substance, steel is iron-ore and carbon, aluminum is the third most common element, behind oxygen and silicon. plastic comes from oil.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • v15
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 1:33am

      There is a long multi-step process involved from turning coca leaves and poppy plants into refined cocaine and heroin. I‘m talking about a plant like marijuana that doesn’t go through any transformation from wholesale to user. Hash, however, would be an exception.

      Hopefully you aren’t free basing poison ivy. Oil, Aluminum, and other examples you cited are not illegal – I’m not sure where you were going with that….

      Report Post » v15  
    • SCREW-WINDOWS
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 7:30am

      There really isn‘t a law against natural occuring things it’s what idiots do with them.

      Report Post » SCREW-WINDOWS  
    • The Jewish Avenger
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 7:50am

      So its all natural like eggs and sugar…

      …but you smoke it

      uh ugh uh uh hu hu hu hu

      Sorry, pot is the drug for retards and the dying, you’ll never convince me otherwise.

      Report Post » The Jewish Avenger  
  • Smokey_Bojangles
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:48pm

    She does realize with a government that LOVES throwing people in jail he can be carted off by Eric Holder? Or is she just that mad at him for stealing her stash?

    Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
  • VotersOfNY
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:42pm

    Why is she punishing him? Obama said it was okay to smoke pot, snort cocaine and drink lots of beer. Well, maybe he didn‘t actually say it wasn’t okay, but he said he did it himself and never said that it was wrong and he regretted it.

    In fact he joked about it when they asked if he inhaled and said that‘s what it’s for, isn’t it. He’s proud of doing drugs so why is this mom punishing her kid. He could grow up to be president one day.

    Report Post » VotersOfNY  
    • Smokey_Bojangles
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:51pm

      Considering what the Commie is doing to his Hippie buddies in California for selling medicinal Marijuana…….Hope Eric Holder don’t snatch the kid up.

      Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
  • TJexcite
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:41pm

    If she gave him to the cops they would go come back in 5 years when he is a hardcore user and then we will put him in jail over night. This would help prevent that, but where did he get the pot as that person should be the one answering to a judge.

    Why does a 13 year old have a iPhone in the first place. Cutting the service with to no data plan over taking it away will get his attention in the long term over a day of embarrassment that will pass.

    Report Post » TJexcite  
  • whatthecrazy
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:39pm

    hope it works…….

    Report Post »  
  • BlessedONE333
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:37pm

    the mom needs to be arrested for child abuse

    Report Post » BlessedONE333  
    • FedUpWithAllOfIT
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:47pm

      Arrested for child abuse? Dumbest post I’ve seen all day and that is saying A LOT because I have read a boatload of news articles today. You must not be a parent.

      Report Post »  
    • Jezreel
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 12:03am

      Blesseddone must be joking or they are not blessed with brains.

      Report Post »  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 1:17am

      She needs a medal for doing what most non-involved parents won’t do. Where’s the dad, BTW?
      She also needs to get him away from his so-called friends.
      She is doing this, because she loves her child, something you seem to know nothing about.
      I’d bet you have no children, you just like telling other people how to raise theirs.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • v15
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 3:11am

      The overweight mother needs to be put down before she turns feral. Women like this love taking away one’s freedom of choice. Let the kid make up his own mind!

      Report Post » v15  
  • pghpatriot
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:36pm

    Thirteen! “I got to change my life and stop.” He’s almost not old enough to HAVE a life! Don’t you just love how PROGRESSIVE we in the USA are? I guess the next entitlement we’ll have to add to Obamascare is buying acne creme for all teenagers, especially the girls so we aren’t accused of hating them as well. Probably one of Obummers daughters will go before Congress and lobby for that. Then all the same gullible, bigoted, and brain dead women who swallow that we hate them, can swallow that we hate their daughters. That’s not stupidity. It’s ignorance!

    Three cheers for the SC mom who just might be onto something. Got to give her an ‘A’ for effort. At least she cares enough to try. I wonder if she is a home-schooler?

    Report Post »  
    • Winedude
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 12:03am

      I doubt that he’s home schooled. If so, it’s probably less likely that he would have easy access to the pot. As one who favors complete legalization of marijuana, it is disturbing to see kids this young trying it. I don’t know that a single day of embarrassment is as effective as taking away his iPhone. Oh yeah, the kid was an idiot to get caught smoking with his friends…just sayin’…

      Report Post »  
    • HOOT_OWL
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 2:29am

      Well if this don’t work ,I’m sure the Paulbots can recruit him.

      They can always use another pot-head to carry a protest sign.

      Report Post » HOOT_OWL  
  • kaydeebeau
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:21pm

    Good idea – though – he would have to have ajob and buy it himself to have a cellphonewere he my child, not to mention, he weould go only to school and do his homework…….

    Report Post » kaydeebeau  
    • American Soldier (Separated)
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:35pm

      This is exactly how it should be handled. By parents with corrective actions at home and maybe even a bit of embarrassment for added effect. Otherwise, adults who can be responsible with it, just like with alcohol, can live free and smoke hard.

      Report Post » American Soldier (Separated)  
    • Exiled
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 7:59am

      American Soldier: embarrassment isn’t as good of a deterrent as the general public likes to think. Peer pressure will almost always win out over mommy-and-daddy pressure.

      Report Post »  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:20pm

    I wonder if he got high before walking around?

    Yah, now he will stick to the drugs you can’t smell, like Oxycondin, Coke, and Narcotic suppositories.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
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