As teens get older and start to become more independent, it's up to their moms and dads to adapt accordingly, supporting their children as they blossom into adults, and one of the most important moments of any young person's life is when they learn how to drive. This can also be one of the most stressful moments of their parents' lives, but with the right approach, the whole thing can go quite smoothly.
At first, the thought of your child behind the wheel of a vehicle might seem quite a scary one, and having to sit beside them and guide them through those early stages of mastering the skill of driving can feel quite challenging too. However, helping your kids learn to drive can be a richly rewarding experience in so many ways, and it can also be very reassuring for you, as a parent or guardian, to guide them along their first roads and share the benefits of your own experience.
Statistics show that car accidents are the leading cause of death among teens in America, so it's absolutely essential for parents to ensure that their kids understand the importance of driving safely and carefully at all times. With that in mind, let's take a look at some smart tips every parent should bear in mind when teaching their teens to drive.
Have Patience
One of the first things to know about teaching teens to drive is that every individual will react differently those first few times they get behind the wheel. They might be quite confident and take to driving with ease, but in most cases, they'll be a little nervous and rely on you to guide them along. Either way, they'll probably make some mistakes in the early days.
The best response to this is to be patient, remaining cool, calm, and collected. This will make the whole process a lot easier, both for yourself and for your child, and it's a lot easier for teens to relax and focus on their driving when they have a calm, patient parent by their side, rather than someone who seems stressed or gets frustrated easily.
Get Equipped
It's always important to be careful when lending out your car, and this applies when handing over the keys to your teens, too. Before even setting out on your first drive, make sure you've got all the necessary equipment, including a Student Driver or Learner magnet, which helps other drivers keep their distance accordingly.
Buying some cones is a good idea too if you plan to head out to a local parking lot and prepare your teen for their test, and of course, it's essential to have a learner's permit and the required documentation so that if any accidents do occur, you and your child won't be at any risk of getting in trouble.
Take It Slow
One of the keys to successfully teaching teens to drive is to take the whole process slowly, building up from one step to the next, without rushing right into anything. To start off, simply head to an empty parking lot and focus on the basics like starting the vehicle, checking the mirrors, basic acceleration, gentle braking, and turning.
As time progresses and your teen driver's confidence levels start to rise, then you can behind heading out on quiet residential streets, eventually building up to busier streets. It's all a question of gradual progression. If you dive right in at the deep end, there's a big chance that your teen will feel overwhelmed by all that other traffic, vastly increasing the risk of an accident.
Prepare As Much As Possible
Even with hours of preparation, you'll never totally know for sure what's going to happen on any given driving lesson with your teen, but it's always recommended to be as prepared as you possibly can be. This means looking at the weather to check that the conditions will be clear and comfortable, as well as planning out a route and schedule for the lesson.
Even when you're out on the roads, continue to plan ahead and provide the teen with necessary instructions in advance. For example, if you plan to make a right turn up ahead, let the driver know this well before you arrive at the turning so that they can prepare accordingly, rather than simply telling them to turn right just as you arrive at the road.
Be Thorough
Remember that sitting behind the wheel and knowing how to use the pedals are only small parts of what teens need to know in order to become safe, smart drivers in the future. They also need to know about things like road signs and speed limits, how to deal with other drivers, how to park, and much more besides.
Teens also need to learn about how to maintain a vehicle, so it can be important to cover tasks like checking tire pressure and changing oil, and many of them may also take an interest in learning about how engines work and what to do if their car breaks down in the future. You might not necessarily be an expert on every aspect of car maintenance, but be sure to share the benefits of your experience.
Conclusion
Overall, teaching a teen to drive doesn't have to be such a scary experience. It can seem like quite a challenge at first, and when you head out onto the roads and put your life in your child's hands, you might start regretting the decision entirely! However, with careful planning, proper preparation, and a good attitude, the whole process can be a smooth and stress-free one.
So, if your teen is ready to drive, be sure to bear these tips in mind. Plan ahead, take things slowly, be patient with your child, and guide them effectively. Perhaps most importantly of all, always remember that your teaching could make a real difference to your child's future safety out on the roads, so be sure to take it seriously.
