Posted on 03/20/2006 7:34:30 AM PST by mathprof
An exasperated father has discovered to his cost that cyberspace is not the ideal arena for family feuds. Two weeks ago Steve Williams became so fed up with his daughter's messy bedroom that he built a website featuring pictures of his slothful offspring's lair in an attempt to shame her into action.
But the public humiliation proved a short-lived victory. While it did spur his daughter, Claire, into tidying up her room, it also whet her appetite for revenge. With the help of her father's friends, the 20-year-old business student has now set up a rival website that displays photos of him in a variety of compromising situations.
"All my friends feel sorry for Claire so they're ganging up on me," said Mr Williams, of Whitehaven, Cumbria. "They've managed to dig out photos of me drunk and dancing round with a handbag at a party, and also put pictures of my garage on to show it's not just Claire who's untidy...
Despite the embarrassment, Mr Williams said he had no regrets.
"It started off as a flippant remark, with me saying to Claire if you don't sort your room out I am going to put that pic on the internet," he said. "It had the desired effect. Her bedroom is not immaculate, but it's a hundred times better. My son has started keeping his tidy too. He's living in fear of being outed!
"Claire is absolutely mortified. She has only just started speaking to me again."
Mr Williams' site, www.shameit.com, has proved hugely popular with disgruntled families from all over the world. Nearly 40,000 people have visited the site in its first fortnight.
(Excerpt) Read more at technology.guardian.co.uk ...
The article is misleading in one respect: The daughter put up the embarrassing pictures of the father on the site he designed: http://www.shameit.com
It is easy, just go in there with a coal scoop shovel and a few trash bags. Do it once and they will be broken of that habit.
I tried the garbage bagging of my kids playroom. Didn't work. They are extremely strong willed.
What the hell is a 20 year old still living at home, and when did her father become such a puss as to have a 20 year old, under his roof do what she wants? Kick her ars out you wuss!
Throw thwe stuff out then. One way or the other the clutter is gone. Leave them with 5 outfits of the most hidious clothes imaginable. Dress them like Poindexter a few weeks and let peer presure work for you.
she's 20 yrs old.....kick her out!
I did throw the stuff out. They are too young to have the Poindexter affect make any lasting contributions (yet)
Last laugh may be when she reads his will.
My husband went into our daughter's room (she's 7) on Saturday with a broom and swept everything on the floor into a pile at the door........what should have taken her an hour to pick up took more than 4 because of the tantrums she kept throwing and excuses for taking breaks, etc........can't for the life of us figure out where the stubborn streak comes from :^)
The concept of shame, like manners, is a throwback to the past; today, it's "Look at me!" wherever you turn.
I've only read two articles now, but I'm already way over involved in the dynamic of this goofy family.
She's 20? The solution is easy. Tell her to clean up or find somewhere else to live.
www.shameit.com is always too busy to show up in my browser.
It's a shame.
I did that with my daughter... she insisted in riding with her dad and I to the dumpster and gleefully threw several trash bags, one after another, saying bye! She was only 5 and she never mentioned again the toys we threw away. Needless to say I had to find another way to put pressure on her. Let me say that she's 16 and her room would probably qualify as a biological hazard.
You have my sympathy. I have FOUR of them, and I get tired of people with compliant children telling me how easy it is to discipline children. :)
So much for honor the parents...
20 and at home?
" Let me say that she's 16 and her room would probably qualify as a biological hazard."
Ha! Just tell her it's OK for her boyfriend to visit her in her bedroom and watch her clean up her act. Of course, that's not a good idea, for other reasons, but it'd work.
I was still living at home at 22.
Bagging up everything on the floor and confiscating them usually works. The kid can't have the stuff back until she earns it. If desired effect still isn't reached, Goodwill gets a nice donation.
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