Every parent has their own way of dealing with their child's unruly behavior, but one New Mexico couple is raising a few eyebrows with their unusual form of punishment.
Jacob and Angela Boggus, of Belen, New Mexico, said that after finding out their 16-year-old son was stealing from them, it was time to teach him a lesson. After various efforts to discipline him, they came up with a new idea.
The teen is no longer allowed to be in the home during the day. Instead, he must spend his days in the family's backyard -- where they've put up a tent -- except to use the bathroom or to sleep after 9 p.m. The punishment began on May 23 and will continue until he completes five book reports on the importance of respect. So far, he's got two done and three to go.
"He knew what was gonna happen if he stole again and he knows what he did so he's like, 'Hey, I gotta do this,'" Angela Bogus told The Huffington Post. "He's taking responsibility for his actions."
While the punishment seems to be sending a clear message to their son, not everyone is so understanding of their form of discipline.
Several neighbors have contacted the local police to report what some call a "terrible" measure, but police say they won't be stepping in.
“I don’t see anything that is abuse or negligent,” Valencia County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Gary Hall told KRQE News. "It’s not like he’s been banished out to the mesa a hundred miles away from civilization."
For people concerned about the teen, Angela says it's not as bad as it seems. He does get food and water outside and is currently part of a summer camp to receive high school credits which he attends weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. That means he's left in the backyard for just six hours until it's time to go to bed indoors.
"It's not like he's bound to the tent," she says. "He reads all day ... we have a picnic table in the backyard."
For those concerned about the hot weather, Angela says if there were any potentially harmful conditions her son would of course be allowed back in the home.
"He's not dealing with anything our troops aren't dealing with," she said. "He's just getting the luxuries of life taken away from him. There are people who live in the desert every day without air conditioning and electronics. I'm sure he can do it until he gets his reports done."
What do you think? Is this form of discipline too harsh or simply creative? Let us know in comments below.
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