You are here:About>Parenting & Family>Parenting of Adolescents
About.comParenting of Adolescents
Newsletters & RSSEmail to a friendSubmit to Digg

How To Set the Limits on Driving

From Denise Witmer,
Your Guide to Parenting of Adolescents.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
When your teen passes his/her drivers test it isn't time to panic, it's time to have a talk.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: 2 hours of communication

Here's How:

  1. Pick a time to talk when everyone is in a good mood.

  2. Write the rules down as you go, so it will be clear in the future.

  3. Discuss & decide if your teen is getting his/her own insurance policy or not.

  4. Discuss & decide who is paying the insurance, whichever policy is chosen.

  5. Discuss & decide how much your teen is to contribute to gas and maintenance for the car.

  6. Go over the driving laws in your state.

  7. Set the limits as to where your teen can drive and at what times.

  8. Make sure you discuss friends in the car.

  9. Make sure you discuss night time driving.

  10. Make sure you discuss the consequences for misbehavior.

Tips:

  1. If the talk gets heated, walk away - with the keys.

  2. These types of family discussions always go better over a banana split.

  3. Parenting Poll: Does your teen buckle up?

    See the poll results

 All Topics | Email Article | | |
Advertising Info | News & Events | Work at About | SiteMap | Reprints | HelpOur Story | Be a Guide
User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy©2008 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.