Ready for your kid to start their life without killing anyone?
Every teenager gets a thrill out of driving. However, actually teaching teenagers to drive is usually terrifying for their parents. After all, six teen drivers die every day in automobile accidents!
Don’t worry; we’re here to help. Keep reading to discover our guide to teaching teens to drive!
Don’t Push It
Our first advice is simple: don’t push this if your teenager isn’t ready.
Most of the time, teens will approach their parents when they want to learn how to drive. But a parent trying to force it on a kid who isn’t ready (or simply isn’t interested) isn’t fun for anyone.
Think about this less like a parent and kid and more like a teacher and student. The more willing your student is to learn, the easier all of your teaching will be.
Practice Often
Once your kid starts practicing, we’ve got some bad news. You’re going to need to practice so much more than you think you will!
If you are only practicing, say, every other weekend, your teenager will forget some of what they’ve learned. And both of you will end up being frustrated by the experience.
Try to find a good practice time that works for both of you. For example, a short drive after dinner is a great way for them to learn without using up all of your available time.
Out of Park and Into Parking
A lot of things have probably changed since you learned to drive. Here’s something that hasn’t changed, though: you need to start them off with small steps.
One really popular option is to start teaching them to drive in empty parking lots. You can pick a big lot of a store in town and then practice outside of their business hours.
The idea is simple: there is no one and nothing around for your teenager to hit with their car. As they build their confidence up, you can try to take them out onto the actual road.
Before you do that, though, make sure you Learn More about stop signs, stop lights, and traffic accidents!
Questions Over Answers
We’ve talked a bit about what to teach. Equally important, though, is how to teach.
Teaching teens to drive means finding the right tone. Instead of blaming them for mistakes, try to ask questions instead.
For example, say your teen is speeding. Instead of yelling that they could get a ticket, simply ask if they know what the speed limit is.
This helps to deflate some of their tension and stress, which will be better for both of you. And it helps you lead by example: they will now know to check for important signage before their foot gets too heavy on the pedal!
Teaching Teenagers to Drive: The Bottom Line
Now you know more about teaching teenagers to drive. But do you know who can help you with other tips to become “father of the year” every single year?
Here at IzzyWeb, we bring you the latest and greatest advice on the planet. Come check out our awesome selection of great fatherhood advice!
