Now, to answer the question of whether you were too harsh or not harsh enough. Your boys are going through the hardest time of growth (12 through 17), and the probability that they will get fewer things right than wrong, seldom accept what you say without an argument and challenge you on almost everything, is pretty much a sure thing. I have complete confidence that you did the right thing by removing the laptop and grounding them for breaking your trust. They will learn that there are consequences to their actions and that trust, once broken, is a hard thing to earn back. It is a lesson that will serve them well in life, but don’t be surprised or upset if there are slip-ups from time to time. It takes a lot of practice before they get it right!
Don’t second-guess yourselves, your doing fine. The boys will grow up and hopefully you will walk them down to the chuppah no worse for wear. Good luck!
