While it might seem like your teen was a toddler just months ago, your teen has likely been dreaming of they day he or she could drive for quite some time. This freedom that your teen is seeking likely comes with some apprehension on your side. But with the right training and teaching, both you and your teen can feel comfortable with them at the wheel.
To help you get to this point, here are three ways you can prepare yourself for when your teen starts driving.
Learn How To Correct Appropriately
Whether you’re wanting to be hands-on when your teen’s learning to drive or you’re hoping to have their driver’s education teacher take on the bulk of the training, you likely will have to put in some hours with your teen as he or she learns how to drive. Because of this, it’s important that you learn the proper way to correct them while on the road.
According to Wayne Parker, a contributor to Very Well Family, the best way you can correct your teen while he or she is driving is by asking them leading questions. Rather than telling them that they need to slow down, try asking them if they know what the speed limit is. By asking them to answer questions with the way in which they should adjust their driving, you will be both helping them learn and keeping them off the defensive with you.
Get Ready To Shift The Car Into Neutral
While your teen’s driver’s ed teacher will have a brake on the passenger side of their driver’s ed car, you won’t have this luxury when you’re out on drives with your teen. So to help you feel like you have a little more control over helping your teen to avoid making big mistakes or causing a car accident, Jill Margaret Shulman, a contributor to Family Circle, advises that you learn how to swiftly shift the car into neutral from the passenger seat.
By doing this, you’ll be able to stop your teen from accelerating into a scary situation that could put others in danger. To make sure you know the best way to do this while the car’s in motion, make sure you do a few practice shifts from the passenger seat before your teen gets behind the wheel.
Be Realistic About Goals And Expectations
Although your teen might be intelligent, learning how to drive and becoming comfortable behind the wheel comes at different speeds for different kids. Because of this, it’s important that you be patient with your teen while he or she is learning and that you set realistic goals together. They may not pass their test the first time, this is okay as they can look for driving test cancellations straight after so they are not waiting too long for their next one. Show them that you understand and that you know how difficult it is. Not everyone passes from the get-go.
In addition to setting goals and expectations, you’ll also want to set some rules and consequences for breaking those rules. TeenDriving.com shares that when you make rules and consequences regarding driving, be sure you stick to them and hold your teen accountable.
If you have a teen who’ll be learning to drive soon, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you prepare for this new stage in life.
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