If I were to have to "ground" someone it would mean that literally-you may not leave the grounds of our house and yard-except to attend school and only during the scheduled school day. you have no priviledges for phone, internet, tv, or stereo, and, if you have your drivers license, you may not drive. and no I will not "give in" the punishment generally should fit the crime and if a kid is grounded they have commited a severe transgression-the last time I had to do this my 17 year old was in 8th grade. They toe the line pretty carefully since it would mean missing sports practices. Generally we remove only a part of their prividledges for a specified period. i have never "given in" and reduced that period of time