Phil, I hear ya on the NO tolerance for any punishment. Seems like the lack of parental attention and punishment just sets the kids up for a harder fall later on. Yrs back, I was takin a smart arse nephew to a hockey game. He did something I didn't like so I backhanded him. Not hard, just enough ta let him know that poor behavior would be rewarded with a negative situation for him. He sneered at me and said "I'm gonn sue ya". My first reaction was a hardy laugh. Then I told him ta check with his dad and he would find out that it's useless ta sue someone who has nothing. Dumb as he was, I think he got it.
Do nature a favor, spay/neuter your pets and any weird friends or relatives.
