Meanest Mom on the Planet Sells Son's Car

If you ever want to meet the meanest mom on the planet, head to Fort Dodge, Iowa.  I'm sure if you ask around pretty much everybody will be able to direct you to the home of 48-year-old Jane Hambleton.

Just before Thanksgiving last year, she bought her 19-year-old son a car.  There were only two rules he had to follow:  No booze, and keep the doors locked.  Well, it appears that the son didn't think the rules were worth obeying.  Ms. Hambleton discovered alcohol in her son's car, so she decided to sell it.  She placed the following ad in the Des Moines Register:   "OLDS 1999 Intrigue. Totally uncool parents who obviously don't love teenage son, selling his car. Only driven for three weeks before snoopy mom who needs to get a life found booze under front seat. $3,700/offer. Call meanest mom on the planet."

The son, who was understandably upset about this tragic turn of events, insisted that the alcohol was left by a passenger in his vehicle.  (I have to wonder what else was going on in the car if someone in the passenger seat decided the best place to stash his/her beverage container was under the driver's seat.)  Ms. Hambleton believed her son, but rules are rules, and the car was sold.

After the ad made print, Ms. Hambleton fielded over 70 calls.  They came from people like school counselors, emergency room techs, and nurses.  None of them wanted to buy the car.  All of them wanted to congratulate her for being a responsible parent.  She received no calls complaining that what she had done was over the top.  By the way, she did sell the car, but is letting the ad run a little longer to make a point.