A father’s way of teaching his sons a lesson about respecting property has been applauded by netizens.
The original poster (OP) recounted the incident on the r/pettyrevenge subreddit, explaining that he and his brother had bought his young nephews a Nintendo Switch for Christmas.
“To say they love it is an understatement,” the OP wrote. “They adore this thing, and love talking to their uncles about all of the games they’ve been playing.”
According to the post, their father’s patience was tested recently when the boys decided to carve their names into their father’s truck using rocks.
However, with a little help from the OP, their father taught them a valuable lesson about respecting other people’s property.
Dani VG/iStock/Getty Images Plus
The OP explained, “Now, this isn’t a very nice truck and is really just used to get around the property but [my brother] was very upset nonetheless.
“He’s telling me about this happening just the other day and I say to him, ‘You know I made sure to put a screen protector on the Switch we gave them.’
“He just stared at me. ‘So, if someone were to write on it, it wouldn’t hurt it.’
“Skip to now and the Nintendo Switch has, in big bold letters, “DAD” right across the screen.
“They were mortified. I’m sure he’ll leave it on for a good couple of weeks before telling and removing it to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Redditors flocked to the comments to applaud the OP and his brother’s creative response, with many parents recounting similar experiences.
One user wrote, “The penny didn’t drop until I read the last sentence, because I was picturing you telling him that so that he could remove them and write on the screens permanently.
“I got a very wholesome boost when I finally realized. Absolutely perfect, and very well written, well done, both of you!”
Another called it “brilliant” because it “doesn’t actually negatively affect them but allows them to think it is to see how it feels.”
The Parenting Lesson Behind the Humor
Experts in child development suggest that creative approaches can be effective teaching tools when executed thoughtfully.
According to a Newsweek article, teaching accountability and the concept of consequences is crucial for children’s moral development as they grow.
By age 10, children should begin understanding the impact of their actions on others, including respecting shared property and resolving conflicts responsibly.
“Children learn best through lived experiences”
Parenting expert Dr. Gail Gross recommends aligning discipline with lessons that reinforce values like empathy and accountability.
“Children learn best through lived experiences, especially when those experiences are framed within their daily lives and interactions,” Gross explained in the Newsweek article.
Similarly, an article on Parents.com emphasizes the importance of instilling values such as responsibility and respect before children reach double digits.
It suggests that hands-on lessons—like the one in this case—are particularly effective because they combine a sense of humor with a meaningful message.
Newsweek has contacted OP comment via Reddit.
Newsweek‘s “What Should I Do?” offers expert advice to readers. If you have a personal dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work, and your story could be featured on WSID at Newsweek.
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, click here.