If you’re a parent struggling with misbehaving kids, you might consider a rather unconventional solution—hiring a clown to scare them straight. Meet Grizzle, a creepy entertainer based in Florida who specializes in giving children the fright of their lives.
Grizzle wears a distinct and unsettling mask that features hollow eye sockets and drooping skin, claiming he’s merely an ordinary clown. But his services are anything but typical. Recently, he shared with the Daily Gazette that he was hired to frighten a 12-year-old boy who was acting out in school. The child has a fear of clowns, so his mother contacted Grizzle and offered him “a few hundred bucks” to help change her son’s behavior. Grizzle recounted, “I waited across the street from the bus stop, and when he saw me, he burst into tears and ran home.”
The mother later reached out to Grizzle, expressing her gratitude and mentioning that whenever her son misbehaves, she simply asks, “Do you want Grizzle to come back?” One can only hope she’s also setting aside funds for his future therapy needs!
This isn’t Grizzle’s first rodeo; he frequently receives bizarre requests and has become a bit of an internet sensation. Numerous photos and videos of Grizzle lurking in unexpected places are circulating online, including one where he’s peeking from behind a bedroom door. There’s even a Google Plus page dedicated to sightings of this unusual clown.
At 65 years old, Grizzle, who prefers to keep his real name private, is baffled by the attention. In his interview, he mentioned that he’s just trying to “bring scary back” instead of making “silly balloon animals” like other clowns. He remarked, “When I was a kid, it was okay to give kids a good scare, but now they just get all whiny.”
While Grizzle might be entertaining in a quirky way, using fear as a disciplinary tactic raises concerns. Research shows that a significant number of children—over 100% in a University of Sheffield survey—express either a strong dislike or outright fear of clowns. For youngsters with a phobia, employing someone like Grizzle could lead to severe psychological distress, including nightmares or panic attacks. Sure, it might put a stop to your child’s backtalk, but it’s not the best approach to teach them about boundaries or respect.
That said, if your kids don’t mind the sight of clowns and enjoy a playful scare, Grizzle might be just the character to liven up your next family gathering. Just make sure he stays away from sharp objects!
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In summary, while Grizzle the clown offers an unusual approach to discipline, parents should consider the potential emotional impact on their children. Finding effective ways to instill good behavior without resorting to fear may be a healthier option in the long run.