Safety Not Control

Its about safety, not control.

Make it clear the reason you put rules into place and monitor those rules is because you care about safety, no because you are a control freak.

Adolescents are ultra sensitive about rules, and often assume rules are designed to control them. One of the greatest challenges of parenting is to lessen the rules, and give children more freedom as we think they can handle it.

Teens naturally gain independence as they grow. By the time they are 16, they have probably earned lots of privileges. Parents challenge is to recognize driving is just as potentially dangerous to them as crossing the street when they were six years old. This may mean a reversal of an increasingly hands-off attitude. So dont be surprised when your child first rejects these rules and misinterprets them as control.

This is why its critical your teen understands your motivations clearly. Choose your own words, but guide your teen to understand: * You are excited about their increasing independence * You see driving as a really important step along their road to independence * You are eager to teach them to drive well * But, that you love them so much, safety is your top priority * Let your child know all of this is about good, caring parenting, and most of it is in the law too.

Your goal is to have them driving on their own and being an excellent, safe, skilled driver.