'I'm selling my son's bed as punishment... I've already sold his dresser'

"Please don't message me about how cruel I am - this is called tough love." Do you think the punishment fits the crime?

One of the most difficult things about parenting is the fine balance between discipline and tough love.

And it seems one mum has crossed a line - according to the online backlash, at least.

In what seems to be a Facebook marketplace post, she is seen to be selling her son's bed - because he won't do as she says.

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The post captured on Facebook and shared to r/insaneparents on Reddit. Source: Reddit

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"Tough Love, For Sale"

Writing alongside several photographs of the bed, the mother explains that the sale is an act of "tough love" on her part.

The ad reads: "Our son refuses to put clothes away, so we sold his dresser. He won't make his bed? Getting rid of the bed."

The mum adds, "Please don't message me about how cruel I am - this is called tough love."

She admits that the "joke will be on me since it doesn't appear he's learning a lesson," but nevertheless persists with the sale.

Later in the thread, the mum reveals the bed is sold, to a "local pastor" who promised to "pray" for her.

"As amusing as this has been, please retract your claws and refrain from calling 911," she writes.

"This was written tongue-in-cheek."

The woman then insists that her son, who is apparently 21, is her "best friend" and "likes sleeping on a mattress with no bed frame."

"How to make them hate you"

Considering the forum, it's no surprise that members were outraged by the mum's approach to discipline - no matter the age of the son.

"Funny thing about all these instances of 'tough love' is that they very seldom remember to add the 'love' part," one wrote.

Another joked, "Congratulations! You've won our game of 'Guess Who's Going to the Retirement Home'!"

There was much concern about the relationship between mother and son, and any damage this approach could do.

One member wrote: "Do you have a child that doesn't respect you and won't listen to you already? Here's a quick way to make them absolutely hate you instead!"

"My parents also took my bed"

Others shared similar experiences and warned of the consequences:

"My parents took my bed because I put clothes under it. Didn’t have a bed or mattress for about two to three years. Had a little pile of sleeping bags on the floor."

Another shared: "When I was in middle school, I locked my door. To retaliate, my parents took the whole damn door. For like three weeks. It was ridiculous. I had to change in the bathroom. It was beyond ridiculous, and I still don't understand why locking the door is an issue."

Many readers felt that authorities should be contacted, but as the mum later revealed her son was an adult, that doesn't seem to have been done.

This article was originally published on 6 May, 2022.

Originally published as 'I'm selling my son's bed as punishment... I've already sold his dresser'