Laptop Shooting Dad Responds to Media Firestorm
Dad Tommy Jordan, of Albermale, N.C., set off a firestorm of debate when he posted a Youtube video of himself shooting up his daughter's laptop with a 45 revolver and nine hollow point shells. Jordan's 15-year-old daughter "Hannah" had posted a letter she wrote her dad and stepmom on Facebook, complaining about all chores she has to do and using language dad didn't approve of, reportsMashable. Jordan's actions prompted thousands of comments from parents either in favor of or decrying his own video rant. Here are details about this extreme parenting.
* Jordan's video entitled "Facebook Parenting for the Troubled Teen" has gotten nearly 15 million views and nearly 112,000 comments since Wednesday. It spawned numerous response videos, including several from teens who supported the dad's action. Other kids said that Hannah really had it quite easy compared to their life and advised Hannah that her dad did this because he cared. Some suggested that he should have sold the laptop or put a password on it, rather than destroying it.
* Lite 93.9 FM first reported the story and have published updates from Jordan's Facebook page. He says that both he and Hannah have received numerous phone calls and requests for interviews. He is declining, saying there's no way that he or his daughter can appear without having their words misinterpreted.
* Jordan also believes that to go public (outside of the social network sharing) would teach his daughter a dangerous lesson that it's okay to profit from bad behavior. He also believes that media attention never helps anyone in the family, including the child.
* Comments from Baby Center's community forum were mixed. The main objection from other parents was that in damaging his daughter's laptop and posting his own reaction of Facebook, Jordan was behaving more childishly than his daughter. A blogger on The Family Brand said that the dad sounded and looked like an angry teen himself and that his actions were more contemptuous and vindictive than caring parent.
* Ingratitude from his daughter was Jordan's biggest beef. Just Parenting Advice offers these suggestions for dealing with the teen "attitude of ingratitude." They quote child psychologist Michael Ungar who says the simplest way to develop appreciation is to "require them to make meaningful, and genuine contributions to the family, and set consequences if they don't." He says it's about making a teen feel like her contributions aren't just menial chores, but valued participation.
* According to Jordan, some who didn't understand had called protective services on behalf of his daughter. He assured viewers that she wasn't traumatized and that he offered to allow her to post a response on Facebook since the video has gone viral. She has declined.
* Jordan's video entitled "Facebook Parenting for the Troubled Teen" has gotten nearly 15 million views and nearly 112,000 comments since Wednesday. It spawned numerous response videos, including several from teens who supported the dad's action. Other kids said that Hannah really had it quite easy compared to their life and advised Hannah that her dad did this because he cared. Some suggested that he should have sold the laptop or put a password on it, rather than destroying it.
* Lite 93.9 FM first reported the story and have published updates from Jordan's Facebook page. He says that both he and Hannah have received numerous phone calls and requests for interviews. He is declining, saying there's no way that he or his daughter can appear without having their words misinterpreted.
* Jordan also believes that to go public (outside of the social network sharing) would teach his daughter a dangerous lesson that it's okay to profit from bad behavior. He also believes that media attention never helps anyone in the family, including the child.
* Comments from Baby Center's community forum were mixed. The main objection from other parents was that in damaging his daughter's laptop and posting his own reaction of Facebook, Jordan was behaving more childishly than his daughter. A blogger on The Family Brand said that the dad sounded and looked like an angry teen himself and that his actions were more contemptuous and vindictive than caring parent.
* Ingratitude from his daughter was Jordan's biggest beef. Just Parenting Advice offers these suggestions for dealing with the teen "attitude of ingratitude." They quote child psychologist Michael Ungar who says the simplest way to develop appreciation is to "require them to make meaningful, and genuine contributions to the family, and set consequences if they don't." He says it's about making a teen feel like her contributions aren't just menial chores, but valued participation.
* According to Jordan, some who didn't understand had called protective services on behalf of his daughter. He assured viewers that she wasn't traumatized and that he offered to allow her to post a response on Facebook since the video has gone viral. She has declined.
Published by Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben
Happy wife. Mom of 4. 10+ year homeschool vet. Certified K-8/special ed. Yahoo! News Beat Writer: Parenting, Michigan, Detroit. Published on Helium, SEED, AT&T, Diabetes Active, Mapquest, Best Contractors, H... View profile