Learning to drive is an important skill that most teenagers will need to learn at some point. If you're like most parents this can be both exhilarating and nerve-racking at the same time.
The thought of letting your child get behind a wheel can be daunting and you may start having nightmares about what can happen behind your back.
This is perfectly normal and this is why you need to make sure that you are taking every precaution to make sure that your child is as safe as possible when they jump into a car and get behind the wheel.
Here are some tips that you can use to make your child comfortable with the driver-ed learning process as well as driving the car when they do get the go-ahead to do so.
If you want to get started your teenager is going to need to get a license to do so. This is the first and most important step you will have to take to get your teen on the road to securing their driver's license.
In most cases, your teen will need to have the learner's license for a certain amount of time before they can apply to get their full license.
Every state will have different training so you need to make sure that you are on top of it. You don't want to be cruising down the highway with your teen, only to find out that you are in breach of the law.
You should have your teenager pound the training into their memory. It's one of the most important aspects and many teenagers often slack on this.
As their parent you want to be on top of things to make sure that they are doing what they're supposed to.
If you're going to do the heavy lifting and teach them how to drive yourself, then you can expect for things to be as easy or as difficult as your teen is.
This is why many parents leave it up to professionals to get their kids driving. There are many driving schools available, so if you find that it is too overwhelming to teach your kid, don't hesitate to enroll in one.
You must have some rules in place before you embark on this often treacherous adventure. The rules you put in place are what's going to prevent the learning experience from being an utter disaster, especially if you have a teenager who likes to get their own way.
Make sure that your child knows that they should not be using electronic devices while they are driving. Lay as many relevant rules down as makes sense, and make sure they understand proper behavior.
This way, once you have laid out all the ground rules, they'll know that if they are broken there will be consequences accordingly. When it comes to driving, you sometimes will have to be stern to ensure that your teen will be safe. Their life depends on it and so do others out on the road.
You should teach them as much as possible about car maintenance; this is a must-do as a parent.
It's all well and good for them to know how to drive. However, you need to make sure they also know how to take care of an automobile. Giving them maintenance tips should be a top need during this time.
At least let them know the basics. Teach them about how to keep the car as clean as possible. This will work in your favor because chances are that they're going to be using your car quite a bit.
If you can't afford to buy them a car up front, it will be in your best interest to make sure that they know how to clean and properly care for the vehicle so that when you lend it to them, it comes back in good working order.
You must also teach them how to check their tires, and even how to change the oil in the car, if possible.
This way your teen will be prepared for what could happen to them out on the road. Also, when they finally do get their own car, they'll be ready to head out on the open road with their head full of knowledge.
Perhaps, the most important thing you can teach your teenage driver is how to be safe on the road. They have to remember that when they are driving they are looking out for themselves and others as well. This can be very heady stuff for a teenager to process.
You need to make sure they understand the signs on the road, and how to follow them, for their safety. This requires a lot of specific studying of road signs and symbols, so make sure that they don't skimp on this important aspect of their driver's education.
They also need to understand the weather changes on the road. As a parent, you need to help your teenager understand what to do in a variety of weather situations, as well. It's critical that they can manage.
You have to make sure that they know how to handle slippery, sliding roads that can happen when it rains. You also have to teach them how to handle flood waters if you live in an area that is prone to this.
Driving a car in what seems like a pool can be terrifying. You need to let your teenager know when they should use their judgment and proceed through the water, or when they should park the car.
If you live in an area where you have some harsh winters you need to sensitize your teenager to the need for special tires when the weather changes.
They may already know this from watching you navigate it, but it's good to give them a reminder so that they know what to do if they get their own vehicle.
One of the most important things you can give your teenager is the confidence they need to hit the road and face whatever challenges they may encounter out there.
They will only be able to do this if you encourage and believe in them. This will give that "boost" they need. Make sure that you affirm them specifically when it comes to their driving.
Praise them for the strength that you see. This will give them the confidence they need to drive carefully.
If you can remember back when you started to drive, you were probably shaking in your boots when you saw the road before you. The controls and the steering wheel on the car probably made you feel a little bit sick in the stomach.
You probably wondered if you could really take on the open roads. However, you have likely mastered it over time.
This is exactly how your teenager might feel and you need to go back in time and tap into those feelings. This is a great way to be able to boost their confidence and actually tell him about your own personal experiences which may be helpful as well.
Helping your teenager reach their driving goals and get that all important license so that they can be independent enough to drive themselves, is a huge milestone and many parents will both fear and celebrate this moment.
It can be challenging for your teenager, but if you are there with them in it every step of the way and being their biggest fan, they will make it.
A teenager who can drive well will eventually move from nervousness to feeling as if they're flying high on cloud nine. They will have their independence, but also a grounded confidence that can only come when you have taken on a challenge and mastered it.
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