My CRAZY Experience Being a National News Subject....

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

I had responded to a post about the loss of news anchor Sue Simmon's.  She had actually did a report about me and my daughter and my unconventional Facebook punishment (she portrayed it wonderfully unlike a LOT of news outlets.  Because of those comments I had a bunch of DKer's message me about our experience with being subject to national news attention...  here is what I posted in the discussion but so everyone that asked see's it I am going to put it out there.

It was back in April that all of this took place but I still get weekly calls and emails about it and if you Google "Denise Abbott" or "Facebook Mom Punishment" you will see that it is still being discussed.  CRAZINESS.  The Today Show did a poll and 77% of the people that took part agreed with what I did, but of course I still received (and still do receive) a ton of criticism over it.  My main intention when I went on the Today Show was not to come off like I was defending myself because I wasn't.  I do not regret what I did and the least bit and would do the same thing again if the circumstance called for it.  

Here is the link to the Today Show - http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/47203179#47203179

However this was my absolute FAVORITE reporting of our story - 

http://theview.abc.go.com/video/hot-topics-punishing-kids-through-s...

The way I looked at it is if Barbara Walters and Whoopi thought what I did was great I really didn't care what anyone else thought! LOL  

It was absolutely CRAZY but honestly I think that every news station did a segment on my Facebook stint.  I had calls from as far as Australia to do video newscast.  We did go to the Today Show in NY but it was on a Friday and Matt Lauer was OFF!!  I was sooooo bummed.  They had originally tried to get us to come on a Wed and it would have been him but I was on the fence and waited 2 days!!  UGH!!  I got a call last week from the producer of the Dr. Phil show asking if we would do a show about social networking and children.  

I am NOT a Rosie O'Donnell fan at all, never was, now that she thinks I am evil I don't like her even more - LOL - here is what she said... 

Rosie: Facebook punishment ‘a horrific thing’ ( Hey Rosie I find you horrific LOL LOL!! - like she cares what I think!  HA!)

First there was the father who shot his daughter’s laptop, and now a mother has punished her daughter with an embarrassing Facebook post. Are these tech-savvy parents reacting appropriately to their kids’ misbehavior? Rosie O’Donnell joins TODAY’s Professionals to debate this and other topics.

http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/47188177

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I had seen the Today Show clip and didn't even know it was you!!!  Too funny!

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Wow!  I looked at all of these because I had NO idea this was going on!  You are famous!  I am glad you are a parent who has the GUTS to do what it takes to teach your daughter a lesson that she will NEVER forget.  The guy who was sitting next to Rosie...sorry I don't know his name...but, why take your kid into the other room to punish them?  I can see maybe taking my kids into another room or a bathroom or whatever to warn them...If you don't shape up, I WILL embarass you in front of your friends.  Then, if they do it again, all bets are off.  As a teacher and a parent, I applaud what you did.  Your daughter sounds like a wonderful "normal" teenage girl!  It sounds like she is taking it just fine!  More parents need to have the guts to discipline their kids.  I know many parents don't want to for fear of making a scene, but guess what?  When you punish your kid appropriately, most people are secretly clapping that you are disciplining them!

[Camilla and Darwin]

WOW, I had no idea all of this was going on. I enjoyed the view discussion... I love WHoopi. ha ha!

[Adina P]

Exactly Karen!  I'm not a big fan of public shaming (unless perhaps it's a public crime I guess).  But this was hardly 'humiliation.'

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I was unaware of any of this until you mentioned it in that Sue Simmons discussion, and I am absolutely amazed at the media attention over this. Amazed isn't even the right word- flabbergasted or dumbfounded would be better. What is the big deal? Parents punish their kids every day. If these media people could have seen some of the punishments I received as a teenager, I guess my parents and I would have made the cover of Newsweek! What's ridiculous is that strangers are more upset about Ava being "humiliated" than Ava herself is! I mean, hello, the kid's fine with it, what is your problem?????   

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

I actually cringed when I was compared so many times to Tommy Jordan, the father who shot his daughter's laptop and put it on YouTube.  Tommy Jordan actually emailed and called me when our story became national news.  I had not followed his story at all other than hearing that he shot the laptop and I really didn't agree with what he did.  He was actually pretty interesting to talk to.  His teenaged daughter had posted some really, really nasty, derogatory comments about her parents on Facebook.  I asked him why he went to that extreme and didn't maybe donate her laptop to charity and he said that when he read what she posted he was just so beyond fuming mad he really didn't think it through.  Anyone with kids or not can appreciate that feeling.  But then when I was contacted by the Today Show the producer told me that Tommy really baited the media online trying to get a big payout or whatever for his appearance and interview.  I was the opposite and turned everything down and then the visions of Matt Lauer became to much LOL LOL  I could have cared less about the publicity.  One HUGE lesson Ava learned from it is how EASY it is for something online to be seen EVERYWHERE and really can have lifelong detrimental effects in school, career, etc.  

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

If it takes a little embarrassment to turn a kid around you go for it as far as I'm concerned.  I think embarrassment should be used a lot more in our court systems.  I love the punishments where they have to stand on a street corner with a big sign saying what they did.  I would also love them to have to wear T-shirts saying what they did while they do community service.  To a teenager, being embarrassed in front of their peers is frightening and I think would make a lot of kids think twice about what they do if they knew that were the consequences.  I'm guessing your daughter will think before she speaks from now on! 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I watched all the clips and was very interested though fascinated  that this story gained so much traction. I do know that employers are seeking access to FB accounts in order to check on backgrounds and that this whole new world of letting everyone know everything about ones life is gaining huge credence, however there are risks associated.   I think there was a huge difference in the way you handled your daughters cheekiness and the man who sat on his chair, dangling a cigarette and toting a gun who was admonishing his daughter.  The only similarity was that these were both done in a public social media arena.   I liked Ava's letter and her understanding of what she had done wrong, she is obviously a lovely child who I imagine will grow up just fine.  I do think this is a debate that needs to be had in a wider context though.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We just had dinner with Nancie (and Graciedoodle) and she said the younger generation is being called the Cupcake generation because so many of them are just a bit of fluff with no substance; not understanding the need to work hard, get jobs (even if they don't like them).  I adore our young dk members - they are obviously the opposite of cupcakes with all of their interests, hard work and goals.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I love Ava's humor.  What a great kid she must be.  Please give her a hug from me.  Wish I lived closer I would love to meet both of you in person.