Parent-Teen Communication

The parents with which you work may get frustrated if their teens suddenly become rebellious. Let them know that this is a normal part of growing up and that pushing boundaries is to be expected. When it comes to driving, teens will try and rebel against the rules and laws that are in place to protect them. Because of this, it’s vital that parents stress safety and not control when creating boundaries for their teens' driving.

Although some rules are easy to enforce (such as always wearing a seat belt), others may be harder for teens to accept (such as no peer passengers for the first year of independent driving). Remind parents that the way they approach these issues makes a difference in their children’s attitude and behavior. Encourage parents to listen to their teens’ concerns and feel confident in the rules they set – they’re backed by fact and in place to keep them safe.

For examples of possible resistance from teens and the ways parents can respond, visit Expect Resistance.