Licensing your teen can be a frightening experience. In your eyes, your 16 year old son or daughter is still a child. It can be unnerving to visualize them behind the wheel of a car and driving off. Independence…you’ve spent a lifetime preparing them for it - teaching them to be responsible, confident and to make good choices. Now you must have the confidence in your parenting to allow them to take that next step towards becoming an adult.
We can pass along our knowledge, our advice and our support. It is up to our child as to how they will apply what we have taught them to their daily lives. Driving is one of the greatest responsibilities that they will undertake in life. You want them prepared. You want them confident. You want them safe. Not just capable of getting from point A to point B, but truly prepared for the many situations they may encounter behind the wheel. Defensive driving is vital to staying safe on today’s roads. With all the distractions that are put before us in this age of modern technology, we must focus on teaching our kids to be safe in every aspect of driving. From being responsible behind the wheel to being a responsible passenger. From learning how to react to learning when not to react. Every decision when behind the wheel is a critical decision.
Having two children already licensed, doesn’t make it any easier to take that step with the third. It is perhaps even more difficult. With the first came the excitement of their independence. The second was my son, and driving came naturally to him. My youngest however, will always be my baby no matter how old she is or by how many inches she towers over me. 16 seems so young to me now. I’ve spent her lifetime preparing her for independence, it is time that I trust her to use what I have taught to make good choices, take responsibility and stay safe.
Before I put her behind the wheel, I want her prepared. I have already passed along my skills and knowledge, but I want more for her. I want her to be exposed to every scenario, those I may have touched upon with her as well as those that never even entered my mind. Many things have changed since I began to drive 30 years ago. I want her aware of them all. One day, when she encounters a difficult situation where a split second decision needs to be made, I want her to make the right choice. Whether it is how to react on a busy highway or whether or not to get into the car with a friend whom she knows has been drinking. If you’ve heard something discussed – there is a very good chance you will keep that information in the back of your mind – and one day when you need it – you will recall it. Decisions, choices, the right ones can never be over emphasized or taught too much.
When deciding where to send your child for one of the most important skills that they will use for a lifetime make that choice with great care and consideration. Don’t send them to the cheapest place, or the most convenient place. Talk to friends, family, and their peers and find out how to get them the best driver’s education. Send them to a school that you have confidence in. A school that is dedicated to quality education. It is an education they will use for life. And one day, their lives may depend upon it.
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