This is part two of a two-part review. In both reviews you will find what I hope are good examples in helping you teach your teenager how to drive, keep your sanity, at least some of it, and tips for them and yourself.
Part two:
Interstate driving is a must! They need to know to keep the speed up with other cars, but not too much. The correct way to pass on 2 or more lane highways and not to tailgate. They need to know that there are laws for going to slow as well. They need to know the correct way to get onto the Interstate and to get off.
You need to teach them the correct way of turning and how not to drive on dirt roads. You need to remind them that the pedestrian always has the right of way. They need to know how to parallel park as well as to know the seat belt laws. And those do vary from state to state.
They need to know how to park on the hill, which way to turn the wheels on the curb for up hill and down hill parking. And then there is the snow and ice thing. You have to teach them that as well. And heavy rains, lights on, wipers on and go slow in heavy rains. And to pull off the road the correct way. How to handle a blow out.
They need to know about the engine, how to change the oil, check the fluids, the air in the tires, the correct way to adjust the mirrors for their best sight. And of course, they need to know how to wash the family car and that must be a big rule. You want to drive it, you wash it buddy!
Now, that you have done all of these things, it’s time to get in the car with your teenager. Now this is what you do. First call the insurance company. Then pray for strength. Slowly and reluctantly walk to the passenger side of the car, open door, slowly get inside, pray, put seat belt on, pray, watch child and see what they do, pray, listen for car to crank up, watch for teenager to put into gear, pray, watch as you slowly start to move, look at mirror on visor to see horrid look on face and pray again!
Let them drive a bit and see what needs to be said if anything at all. And you know what, you find yourself rather surprised! I mean this statement a lot! Surprised is such a great word for it! You’ll see that you will find that your teenager is doing a great job of driving. You feel this wonderful pride set up in side. You have done well in life once again. Now, and listen carefully you now have to go out of the drive with them. Prayer is good here as well.
Once out on the road it is really a good thing to see just what they can do behind the wheel. You learn right away that a correct, safe, lesson in stopping properly is certainly the way to go! And although you use to like music, you find now that you don’t! And the way you use to like your drivers seat, well that has now changed as well. You learn to keep your mouth shut(no pun intended) to avoid an argument. Teach them to safely use their mirrors, to look in them constantly and know what is going on around them at all times. Yet at the same time, you learn to speak up about things and don’t be afraid to either! Set the rules, this is your car after all!
Things like: “You put the drivers seat back to the way you found it there kiddo, because this is still my car! And when you get a job and pay for your own car you can keep your drivers seat the way you want it, make your own car rules and pay for your own gas, until that time, remember that this is my car, you make changes to your adjustment, you put those changes back for me, the owner of this car, and you leave that radio alone. “Don’t touch it is still the rule unless you ask!” And be sure that you take your cd out of the cd player before I get back into my car! And be sure that you get your trash out of my car. And make sure that you don’t let your friends mess my car up! You keep your grades up, I will pay for the gas, I will gladly let you use my car, you follow my rules and we will get along just fine, you understand this is a huge responsibility and that you will be responsible for people in my car, but you slip up just one time and you will loose those rights in a big hurry! And if you ever make the mistake of taking my car without asking I will call the police on you and you will suffer the consequences of this transaction. You break the rules I make and your life changes for you and you will not like these changes one bit! Do you understand?”
And then you find yourself wondering if your parents felt this way when you learned how to drive. Of course they did! You’re not stupid you know they felt this way. And guess what? You know have something else to share with your parents. And you get to hear the horror stories of your teenage driving years once again!
Over all, you just have to stay calm when teaching your teenager how to drive. Remember you had to learn just as they are having to learn. Actually this is the process in all you do with your child.
Teach them the basics of driving, to slow down and how. The correct way to use the gas and the brakes. The correct way to park the car. How to stop at the stop signs and red lights. How not to run the caution light! How to properly change lanes in traffic. Signals are a good thing and should be used. Teach them to check and make sure the lights work, including the reverse lights, the brake lights, the door lights and the blinker lights. Remember, teach them well and they will not part from it. All of these things are good safety measures in driving for anyone.
Teach them to lock the doors. To put their purses out of site. They also need to know how to change a tire. To hide their CD’s. Teach them how to think safe.
I promise you that you will adjust to their driving habits, just as they had to adjust to yours. And know this as well, as they grow up they will leave home, you will cry, you will laugh, you will be relieved, you will be proud, you will be stronger, you will accept the boyfriends or the girlfriend, you will learn from them, you will grow old with them, you will hold the grandchildren and you will continue to make all those memories in life that only you can do. And you will survive it all!
And to you fathers out there with little girls, remember they will fall in love, they will get married to that guy that you just can’t stand, they will have children of their own. But this as well, on the day that you hold that first grandchild you will be very proud, so very proud, you will see this great accomplishment in your life and you will think of the time that you taught this new mother, this person who use to be your little girl, and will always remain so in your heart, how to drive. And you will chuckle to yourself and your daughter will say to you “Daddy’s what’s so funny?” And you will say, “Nothing sweetheart, you will find out for yourself!” And you know what? Mother’s this is the same for you. With your sons and with your daughters.
Just remember to follow the road signs; the laws of your state or country and all will be fine. Teach them common sense and they will be fine. And if you happen to have a riding lawn mower or know someone that does, this is a great piece of equipment to teach your teenager how to drive before they ever get behind the wheel of your car. Heck, if they can’t drive a lawn mower they can’t drive at all! Teach them safety and they will remain with it wherever they go, no matter what they do.
Happy driving!
I hope that this has helped in some kind of way.
God Bless!
©LKD 2002