Teaching kids to share or take care of their things is easy when they’re small. But when they grow into teenagers and want their turn driving the family car—or want their own—it gets trickier. ParentingTeensOnline asked parents how they manage this important issue.
What was your reaction when your teen started driving?
The best thing we did was have our daughter take professional lessons, so we didn’t have to teach her ourselves and ruin our good relationship.
Ben, Pennington, NJ, parent of a girl (now 22)
I was relieved, because I don’t know how to drive, and this was a chance for my son to take the lead. We live in a city and don’t need a car, but I foresee a time when he’ll be able to really help me out.
Trish, Philadelphia, PA, parent of a son, 19
How do you handle sharing the family car?
We sit down at the beginning of each week, review everybody's schedule and determine who needs to be where, when, and why.
Timothy, St. Charles, IL, parent of a girl, 18, and boy, 16
[We don’t share.] The kids might move it or pick me up in an emergency, but they aren’t allowed to drive it around.
Genma, Hermitage, TN, parent of a girl, 15, and two boys, 16 and 20
YUNFENG CHANG, HOUSTON, TX 11/03/07
Professional driving school vs parent:
I believe I appreciate the value of the driving school, it has the resources to deal with young drivers. The students are treated professionally.
My question is do the students get the "down-to-earth" experience shared by driving school instructors?
A bad habit can be very difficult to correct. The "My Instructor Does Not See that as a Problem" - or "How can you be better than a driving school instructor?"
Please weigh the pros and cons.
Thank you
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