January is Teen Driving Consciousness Month, an excellent event to think about what mother and father can do to assist their teenagers keep secure behind the wheel. Dad and mom usually wish to complement their teenagers’ official driving classes with their very own classes, and that’s an excellent concept. Research present that teenagers who obtain extra driving instruction from their mother and father have fewer accidents than teenagers who don’t get any additional assist. What can mother and father do to make sure that their teenagers get probably the most out of their time collectively within the automotive? Right here’s what the consultants say:
LET THEM TAKE THE LEAD
When you’ve instructed your teenagers that you simply’re keen to provide them driving classes, again off a bit and don’t push the difficulty. “In case your teen isn’t driving you loopy about instructing her to drive,” says Carleton Kendrick, a household therapist who works with teenagers, “she’s most likely too nervous to start the method.” Wait patiently till they’re prepared on your assist. As Wayne Parker, a licensed life coach and creator of Energy Dads, places it, “a very anxious teen driver generally is a harmful factor.”
TALK BEFORE YOU GET INTO THE CAR
Even when your teenagers say they’re able to discover ways to drive, it’s seemingly that they’ve heard horror tales within the information or from their pals which can be making them scared. Nicole Runyon, a social employee who offers with teenagers, suggests that oldsters “create a relaxed and peaceable area for them to speak.” Attempt to alleviate any fears by listening fastidiously and reassuring them that you simply’ll help and assist them develop into competent and secure drivers.
GIVE THEM ADVANCE WARNING
Give them some advance warning while you’re prepared for the primary lesson. Speak with them about, as Mr. Parker places it, “the place you’re going and what you’re going to do.” Teenagers don’t like surprises, particularly from their mother and father. Get collectively to plan the route and the talents you’ll be working. It’ll put you on a extra equal footing.
TREAT THEM LIKE ADULTS
Teenagers wish to be handled as adults. That features once they’re studying the right way to drive. Ms. Kendrick says that oldsters ought to keep away from speaking right down to their teenagers, making any detrimental feedback, or treating them like little kids. She suggests that oldsters “reward particular progress and enchancment, whereas providing non-judgmental, optimistic, and inspiring phrases.” The aim is to make your teenagers extra conscious drivers, to not make them really feel shamed or judged.
One other option to information your teenagers is to ask them questions as an alternative of giving instructions. As a substitute of claiming decelerate or “you’re going to get a dashing ticket,” Mr. Parker suggests asking “what’s the velocity restrict right here?” Research present that teenagers whose mother and father ask questions somewhat than make crucial statements get into fewer accidents.
PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR SHOES
Research additionally present that many mother and father focus their instruction extra on abilities that they’d issue mastering once they themselves discovered the right way to drive than on the talents that finest forestall teen accidents. As a substitute of spending a lot of your time instructing your teenagers the right way to parallel park (a maneuver that may make many mother and father break right into a sweat), give attention to abilities like the right way to safely merge on and off highways, which is in actual fact a serious supply of teenybopper accidents.
STAY CALM
It may be annoying instructing your teenagers the right way to drive, however don’t present it. Ms. Kendrick encourages mother and father handy over the reins to another person if they will’t maintain their “nervousness in verify and it’s turning the instructing expertise right into a tension-filled meltdown zone.” Attempt to keep calm, even when your teenagers are creating the stress within the automotive. “Simply roll with it,” says Dr. Corinne Peek-Asa, a professor of public well being and skilled on car harm prevention. Research present that when the ambiance is tense, mother and father supply much less constructive suggestions and even much less suggestions that’s centered on security.
BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL
All children, together with teenagers, study extra from what they watch their mother and father do than from something mother and father inform them. Be an excellent function mannequin and drive safely while you’re within the driver’s seat and your teenagers are the passengers. Jen Stockburger, director of operations at Client Report’s Auto Check Heart, places it effectively: “The instance you set for them behind the wheel could also be crucial by way of truly retaining them secure, extra so than every other security message you’ve given them of their whole life.”
Tanni Haas, Ph.D. is a Professor within the Division of Communication Arts, Sciences & Issues on the Metropolis College of New York – Brooklyn Faculty.
