No matter how smoothly things are going with your new driver, there will be times when things do not go so well. It could be a minor bump in the road – like when teens miss a stop sign while practicing or lose their cool with parents. Or there could be more challenging situations – like when teens disobey safety rules, get in a crash, or get a speeding ticket.
You are not alone. Every parent has to deal with challenges when working with young drivers. Getting angry is normal, especially after a big scare. Give yourself the space to release your anger – ideally away from your teen – and then decide how to address the situation.
Remember to keep things in perspective. As long as no one was seriously hurt, most minor situations can present learning opportunities.
Don’t try to punish or “teach them a lesson.” Instead, reinforce that their driving freedoms and privileges are directly related to the responsibility they demonstrate. If your teen breaks a rule, you might need to remove some privileges. If your teen crashes, more driving lessons might be needed. Always link your consequences back to the rules you set or to your safety concerns.