by goodnatured » Sat Jan 05, 2008 05:48 pm
Is age the only factor that you should take into consideration when you deciding if your teenager should drive or not, I don't think so.
Driving is a privilege not a right, along with this privilege comes responsibility so here are some things to consider when deciding if your teenage is old enough to get a drivers license or permit.
1. How mature is your teen? Some are more mature than others and you as a parent are held responsible, they go on your insurance for the first few years of driving.
2. Do they attend school regularly? Attendance in school should be one of your signs of what your teen is up too. Employers will even use school attendance of a hiring factor so this may be something that the insurance company will look at too. Vehicle insurance for teens is neither easy for the parents nor for the carrier.
3. Are they responsible with other things that they own, if they don't take care of their own items, they are not going to care about your insurance or vehicle, they are not going to care about other fellow drivers either.
Insurance rates go through the roof when you add a young driver, it is there prior actions not what they promise that will show you if they are ready to drive or not. You are the ultimate judge of this. Some parents listen to a child as soon as they turn 16 and take them to get their permit, I think it should go more on the maturity of the child, not the age.
After they get a driver's permit, make sure they follow the rules of the permit, don't allow them to take the short cuts, if it says they need so many hours of driving, then make them follow it. Don't let them drive at night, if the permit says they are not supposed to. Set your own rules in addition to what the state laws, no more than one friend in the car with them. No speeding, No cell phone use while driving. What may be common sense to us may not be for teens. And of course the big one, No drinking and driving, it is devastating to see a young person die as a result of something that could have been avoided.
Go for a ride with your teen every now and then, see for yourself how they are doing behind the wheel, don't get in the habit of letting your teen have the keys anytime they want.
This is a very important time in a teens life and they will want their drivers license as soon as they turn of age. It is up to you to figure out if your kid is ready or not. There are plenty of posts on this forum about young people and accidents. What are you thoughts?
Driving is a privilege not a right, along with this privilege comes responsibility so here are some things to consider when deciding if your teenage is old enough to get a drivers license or permit.
1. How mature is your teen? Some are more mature than others and you as a parent are held responsible, they go on your insurance for the first few years of driving.
2. Do they attend school regularly? Attendance in school should be one of your signs of what your teen is up too. Employers will even use school attendance of a hiring factor so this may be something that the insurance company will look at too. Vehicle insurance for teens is neither easy for the parents nor for the carrier.
3. Are they responsible with other things that they own, if they don't take care of their own items, they are not going to care about your insurance or vehicle, they are not going to care about other fellow drivers either.
Insurance rates go through the roof when you add a young driver, it is there prior actions not what they promise that will show you if they are ready to drive or not. You are the ultimate judge of this. Some parents listen to a child as soon as they turn 16 and take them to get their permit, I think it should go more on the maturity of the child, not the age.
After they get a driver's permit, make sure they follow the rules of the permit, don't allow them to take the short cuts, if it says they need so many hours of driving, then make them follow it. Don't let them drive at night, if the permit says they are not supposed to. Set your own rules in addition to what the state laws, no more than one friend in the car with them. No speeding, No cell phone use while driving. What may be common sense to us may not be for teens. And of course the big one, No drinking and driving, it is devastating to see a young person die as a result of something that could have been avoided.
Go for a ride with your teen every now and then, see for yourself how they are doing behind the wheel, don't get in the habit of letting your teen have the keys anytime they want.
This is a very important time in a teens life and they will want their drivers license as soon as they turn of age. It is up to you to figure out if your kid is ready or not. There are plenty of posts on this forum about young people and accidents. What are you thoughts?
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 03:43 pm Post Subject:
Wow, that is such a great way to put things maze.
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 06:41 pm Post Subject:
Yes well, my daughter will be the first one to tell me,she don't give a hoot about any problem I have. Doesn't want to hear it. . My daughter was born on Easter.She started out so well and turned into a harmonal monster.But I am still trying never gave up yet. I am thankful for all the tips and stories here.makes me try harder. I know I am lucky to have my kids and no drug problems ,...yet... And yes we have veered away for the whole insurance topic...lol Sorry I think thay may have been my fault.
Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:15 am Post Subject:
Yeah, we blew way off topic, maybe, teen driving and parenting are hand in hand right? or should be anyway! :wink:
Maze, great take, and insight...
Our kids are not "property", they are a gift.
They truly are and even the best of parents need to be reminded of this from time to time, and all are guilty of the dictoral nagging I'm sure....Hummingbird there are some fantastic books out there, (library is free, before we get into cost :wink: )...that provide good information....
But I am still trying never gave up yet I know I am lucky to have my kids and no drug problems ,...yet
YOU have got to ditch the ''yet''... :D It's all about attitude, she clearly knows you feel this way... :cry: You know if YOU change YOUR behavior, (notice I didn't say ''feelings'') you'll be amaze how quickly things can turn around...You don't have to feel all sweet toward someone inside to BEHAVE in a sweet kind manner, and before long the feelings WILL follow the behavior....I promise....(this works with spouses too! :lol: )....Yes well, my daughter will be the first one to tell me,she don't give a hoot about any problem I have. Doesn't want to hear it.
I'm sorry but I've got to say this...she isn't supposed to help you with your problems....that's what your friends and husband are for....Ins maze was focusing on the fact that all humans need to be needed.....and feel a part of something (a family).....and that their opinion 'counts' for something.I am thankful for all the tips and stories here.makes me try harder
I'm glad and sure everyone else is as well, feel free to pm me anytime if you need someone to talk to....Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:52 am Post Subject:
I think sometimes what seems huge to a teenager may seem small to us, I think what we have to remember is that just because we have already been through it does not minimize it for them, this is their first experience with the issue.
Just as she says she don't care about your problems, she probably is not mature enough to understand the impact or the problem. I wish you luck and we are here for you. LOL
Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:21 pm Post Subject:
I think sometimes what seems huge to a teenager may seem small to us, I think what we have to remember is that just because we have already been through it does not minimize it for them, this is their first experience with the issue.
I know that I have been guilty of this...and find it soooooooo freakin' annoying when someone does it to me! I'm sure this is something we all (me anyway! :roll: ) could work on....thanks for that ...........good natured.......Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:41 pm Post Subject:
Thank you all for your insight. I will try to remember all your great advice.Especially when my daughter is yelling in my face....lol Thats hard to be kind and sweet at thoses moments. Hope it works and she doesn't see it as my defeat.We get along great when she is getting what she wants...lol When I am explaining our financial fix to her as to why she can't have the many things she asks for (something new)everyday. She gets angry and says she doesn't want to hear my problems.
Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:42 pm Post Subject:
I once told her that just becasue something isn't important to her dad does not mean it isn't important to her.Thats when her and her dad butted heads. So I honestly see the point with these things.
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 05:47 pm Post Subject:
No, my teen is not. She has had her license for a few months now and I still don't think she is alert enough. To much cd tuning for one.I let her let me out at a resturant and she went to turn around,in the parkingblot. She backed in to a LP gas tank.Thats the reason she still does not drive alone and I for one am not worried about her getting a car of her own. Maybe one day.Its every one's call.
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