Lesson learned?
A self-proclaimed Wisconsin Gen X father is under fire for his unique method of punishing his 4-year-old son in a “Gen Z world.”
In a nine-minute clip posted to TikTok on Sunday, Derek Longstreth shows his son Truman carrying seven full water jugs from one side of his yard to the other for allegedly beating his mother.
“Spanking is out of the question because you libtards made it so we can no longer spank our children,” Longstreth said in the clip with 1.8 million views.
Longstreth orders his son to walk with a jug to the opposite end of the yard.
“Come on, young man,” sings the father. “I love you, just so you know, but you’re not going to hit your mom.”
Throughout the challenge, Longstreth motivates Truman with positive affirmations.
“You can do it,” he acclaims. “Or take your time.”
When he finished putting down a mug, Longstreth encourages Truman by saying, “I love you, son, but we don’t beat up the women in this family.”
Truman, nicknamed “Tbone”, begins to feel discouraged when confronted by the other bottles.
“I can not do it. I can’t do it,” he said before his father reassured him and even promised to help him with the last pitcher.
After a short rest, he was ready to finish the challenge, lifting two mugs simultaneously.
In the final stretch, his father says, “Look at that, dude! You did it!”
Longstreth concludes the video by asking his son, “Are you going to hit your mom again?”
Truman responds with, “No. I’m sorry, Mom.”
“I dare you to hit your mother again. She will be hanging around the house with the jugs,” Longstreth declares. “I love this sh*t so much, but the cycle of stupidity stops with me.”
The Post contacted Longstreth for comment.
The Wisconsin father defended his parenting style as social media users expressed outrage over the punishment.
“We are not allowed to spank in the state of Wisconsin because some libtards say there are better ways. Well, libtards, what is the best way? she asked.
Some people were eager to share their thoughts and suggestions on how you should discipline your child.
“How about no TV, no sweets, which is usually a privilege,” one person recommended.
“You are the problem as a parent. If this is how you discipline a child, good luck with those prison visits,” added another. “This is abuse.”
Other parents praised Longstreth’s method, calling it “gentle parenting.”
“Good job dad!!! Punishment of ‘we don’t hit women’ with love. I love to show values and respect. I love this,” one person commented.
“You, sir, have just enlightened me on a new form of punishment for my children,” praised another.
“I love how you told him you loved him while teaching him that his behavior has consequences,” a third admired. “Honestly, this is probably the best and most effective way to discipline his son.”