My wife and I just returned from a 5-day trip, three days of which involved driving about 100 horses and mules 60 miles from Mammoth Mountain to Bishop, CA. It was quite an adventure!

On the way home my wife phoned our 18-year-old son to let him know that we were on our way. He told her that he had taken the S2000 out to "fill it up with gas."

Right.

He knows that he isn't allowed to take it out. Period.

He said that he thought my wife said it would be OK to fill it with gas.

Right.

So, what should we do?

 

Since he likes buying gas so much, make him pay for gas for ALL of your cars for a week! (<--evil grin)

 

I don't know how you could expect him to resist. 18yo, S2000, no parents for 5 days - that's just asking for it. At least he told you he took it out. Personally, if I were him, I would've lived with the secret, especially if nothing happened.

Honer

 

He's 18 he's not a child. He's done this knowing it was against your instructions. My approach would be to let him know that I was very angry but more than that, sadly disappointed in him. That would be likely to have more effect than any Draconian punishments.

 

There must be consequenses to his actions, and you must respond with a reasonable punishment for the sake of credibility.

 

Hide the keys.

 

Outside my knowldege, but try and remember when you were 18

 

I'm only 19, but at 16 I knew that taking out my father's car without his permission would be really foolish. The punishment is your call though.

 

Exactly!

 

*POOF* Make him disappear .