Dad discovers son bullies kids. Video of punishment goes viral: 'Don't be a friend, be a parent

Virginia father Bryan Thornhill made his 10-year-old son run to school in the rain after the child was suspended from riding the school bus for reportedly bullying other children.

Thornhill filmed his son's punishment, and the video — which was shared to Thornhill's Facebook page just last week — has been viewed more than 1.7 million times so far.

What happened in the video?

Thornhill, who is driving his car behind his 10-year-old son, narrated the video and explained why he's punishing his son.

"Hey everyone, welcome to 'You better listen to your Dad 2018,'" Thornhill began. "My son has finally got in trouble on the bus enough to where he was kicked off the bus for three days because he was being a little bully, which I do not tolerate, can't stand."

Thornhill said that his son received a suspension from riding the bus and as a result must find his own transportation to school for a week.

"We're right about one mile from the school, so all week he's got the experience of running," Thornhill added.

Thornhill continued filming and made a joke about the child's running pace: "The good news is guys he keeps up a pretty good mile pace, six miles an hour so far. Yesterday he was apparently a little rude for Michelle in the morning, so even though it's raining this morning he still gets to run."

Thornhill explained that his son's school behavior over the week has improved, adding, "This right here is called 'parenting.'"

"We're gonna make sure that one way or another his teachers are gonna be able to enjoy his company at school," Thornhill continued. He further stated that his son will no longer disrupt classmates as a result of this punishment.

Thornhill concluded the video, saying, "Teach your kids — don't be a friend, be a parent. That's what children need these days."

How did people react to the video?

Many Facebook users seemed to appreciate Thornhill's method of parenting, but there were, of course, those who considered Thornhill's approach to be inappropriate.

One user commented, "I wish there where more parents like you! Keep up the great work."

Another user, who clearly disapproved of Thornhill's video, wrote, "The fact of recording it and showing it to world is so unnecessary. Have you ever thought maybe there is a reason he’s being a bully? Maybe something's going on with him."

Anything else?

Thornhill on Monday shared a follow-up video filming himself running to school with his son, as well as his daughter.

"All right guys, everyone's had many, many reviews and everything else, well, it's led to this," Thornhill said. "Now the kids want to run to school. So many of you guys think there was a harsh punishment, the reality is, it's now become fun. Hayden thinks he's going to beat me. He probably will. Temperance now wants to see who's the fastest, and me, I just want to survive."

"This kid can run," Thornhill marveled. "When he wins the Olympics, I want everyone to remember that."

Throughout the video he laughed and joked and at another point offered his daughter to ride up on his back while he runs.

"For the millions of you that don't understand, this is what parenting is, guys," Thornhill said. "Be there for your kids. You gotta be there for your kids. You gotta do what you gotta do to make your kids survive tomorrow."

At the time of this writing, Thornhill's second video has been viewed more than 11,000 times.