I can’t remember how many times I asked my dad this question when I was a teenager. Somehow, driving holds a certain allure for teens. When – and I say when, not if – your teenager asks you if he or she can drive on your road trip, what should your response be?
Teresa Plowright from About.com thinks that this should be taken as an opportunity to allow your child to practice his or her driving skills – and I couldn’t agree more, provided that some conditions are met. Indeed, what better way to teach your child how to drive responsibly than when you are in the car with him or her, on a real trip?
In her article, Teresa presents some tips on how to encourage your child to be a responsible driver. One of the most important things is to set a good example. This, of course, does not apply only when you are on your trip. It should be an everyday thing. Make sure that you yourself are a responsible driver so that your child can see what kind of driving he or she should practice.
When on the trip itself, it would be good to encourage your child by NOT being a back seat driver. However, this does not mean that you should not be on the lookout for potential hazards. Giving your child the chance to practice driving does not mean that you can sit back and not pay attention. It is important that you guide your child during his or her driving experience.
More importantly, I believe that planning and preparation is very important. Even before you embark on your journey, make sure that your child is prepared to drive and that the car is in top condition as well.