Comments on: Dangers of Teen Driving

By: Cherie

Cherie — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 02:57:31 +0000

Paul: Thanks for the site tip!

By: Paul Greenway

Paul Greenway — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:05:30 +0000

one way to practice and learn from a professional instructor is at http://www.teenlivedrive.com
the next best thing to behind the wheel.
fabulous!

By: Cherie Burbach

Cherie Burbach — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:21:55 +0000

Margit: Great points! I love the first one especially, it would communicate to them in a fun (and not “preachy” way) that texting while doing anything else just isn’t a good thing.

But your final point is absolutely true as well. As parents, we’ve gotta enforce the rules if discussions aren’t getting through.

Thanks for commenting!

By: Margit Crane - The Gifted-Teen Coach

Margit Crane - The Gifted-Teen Coach — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:18:56 +0000

Thanks for you blog!

Your question is, “How do you convince your teen that they can’t multitask when it comes to driving?” I have two thoughts on that:

1. you could probably devise a cool scenario of having them try to accomplish some other task (something less risky than driving) while texting. Like something that if done incorrectly could ruin something they love, like an article of clothing (but not something that YOU care about!)

2. On the other hand, I think when we “try to convince” our teens, we are setting ourselves (and them) up for failure. “Trying to convince” is an adversarial stance, from a teen’s point of view. To them it means that we don’t want to hear what they have to say, but we definitely want them to hear what WE have to say! Multitasking while driving is serious and if they don’t see the seriousness, it doesn’t mean that we drop the issue. As a parent, it’s our job to make the rules that keep our kids safe, whether they get it or not.

I love discussions with teens. If discussions aren’t working, it’s ok just to “enforce” a rule matter of factly, but with a lot of love and compassion.