Effective Parenting for Teens

Adolescents are ultra sensitive about rules, and often assume rules are designed to control them. One of the greatest challenges of parenting is to lessen the rules, and give children more freedom as we think they can handle it.

Teens naturally gain independence as they grow. By the time they are 16, they have probably earned lots of privileges. Parents’ challenge is to recognize driving is just as potentially dangerous to them as crossing the street when they were six years old. This may mean a reversal of an increasingly hands-off attitude. So don’t be surprised when your child first rejects these rules and misinterprets them as control.

This is why it's critical your teen understands your motivations clearly. Choose your own words, but guide your teen to understand:

• You are excited about their increasing independence.
• You see driving as a really important step along her road to independence.
• You are eager to teach them to drive well.
• But, you love her so much that safety is your top priority.
• Let her know that all of this is about being a good, caring parent, and most of it is in the law too.

Your goal is to have them driving on their own and being an excellent, safe, skilled driver.