| When actor Jake Gyllenhaal was sixteen, his | | | | restrictions when you find they are no longer |
| parents allowed actor and professional race | | | | necessary. |
| car driver Paul Newman to take him out on the | | | | |
| track for a driving lesson he'd never forget. | | | | No. 3: Sign a Contract. |
| While the boy sat transfixed in his seat | | | | |
| Newman roared the NASCAR they were riding in | | | | The best way to lay out the rules you expect |
| straight at a wall only to steer clear of it | | | | your new driver to follow is to put them in a |
| at the last second with the admonition, | | | | contract you both will sign. The contract |
| "never do that." | | | | should cover such things as the number of |
| | | | friends who can be in the car with the new |
| Most parents of teenagers who are old enough | | | | driver (most likely one), what time the |
| to get their driver's licenses don't have a | | | | driver must be home on school nights and |
| professional race car driver who can make an | | | | weekends, responsibilities for gas, insurance |
| impression on their kids. But the good news | | | | and car maintenance and the mandatory use of |
| is that as parents there are many things you | | | | seat belts for all passengers. |
| can teach your child that will have the same | | | | |
| effect. | | | | No. 4: Don't give him an excuse to drive |
| | | | drunk. |
| No. 1: Don't push kids who are not ready. | | | | |
| | | | Even though you have made it absolutely clear |
| Most teenagers can't wait to get behind the | | | | that there is to be no drinking and driving, |
| wheel for the first time because they know | | | | you should let your teen know that you will |
| that driving will give them new freedoms. But | | | | pick him or her up with no questions asked |
| if your child resists getting a license at | | | | wherever they are if they are drunk or the |
| 16, let him know that he can wait until he | | | | driver who took them somewhere is incapable |
| feels he is ready. And if you feel your child | | | | of driving. Teens who are afraid their |
| should wait until 17 to drive, when he will | | | | parents will "kill them" are more likely to |
| be more responsible, don't let your child | | | | take the risk of driving drunk or get in the |
| pressure you into letting him drive just | | | | car of an impaired person because they are |
| because other kids drive at 16. | | | | afraid of getting in trouble. |
| | | | |
| No. 2: Set a positive tone. | | | | No. 5: Be a good role model. |
| | | | |
| When your teen is ready to drive, let him | | | | Make certain that your driving habits don't |
| know that you think he will be a great | | | | conflict with any of the rules you have set |
| driver. At the same time, grant privileges | | | | for your teenage driver. Don't drive if you |
| slowly so you can add more as your son or | | | | have had a few drinks and keep your temper in |
| daughter demonstrates they are ready for them | | | | check in situations that could lead to road |
| instead of having to take privileges away | | | | rage. Your teenager is paying as much |
| when your trust is violated. Teenagers love | | | | attention to what you do as what you tell him |
| to test their parents and in fact it is their | | | | to do. |
| job to do so. It is the parents' job to set | | | | |
| clear rules and to hold teenagers responsible | | | | Want help creating a driver's contract? |
| when they are violated. Consider rewarding | | | | Download one free at Dr. Rosenthal's Web site |
| your teen if he or she is accident-free for a | | | | where you'll also find additional valuable |
| certain period of time and remove | | | | advice on parenting a teenager. |