January is Teen Driving Consciousness Month, an excellent event to contemplate what dad and mom can do to assist their teenagers keep protected behind the wheel. Dad and mom usually prefer to complement their teenagers’ official driving classes with their very own classes, and that’s an excellent thought. Research present that teenagers who obtain extra driving instruction from their dad and mom have fewer accidents than teenagers who don’t get any additional assist. What can dad and mom do to make sure that their teenagers get essentially the most out of their time collectively within the automobile? Right here’s what the consultants say:
LET THEM TAKE THE LEAD
When you’ve informed your teenagers that you just’re keen to present them driving classes, again off a bit and don’t push the problem. “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 in all probability 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, “an excessively anxious teen driver is usually a harmful factor.”
TALK BEFORE YOU GET INTO THE CAR
Even when your teenagers say they’re able to learn to drive, it’s seemingly that they’ve heard horror tales within the information or from their buddies 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 just’ll help and assist them turn into competent and protected drivers.
GIVE THEM ADVANCE WARNING
Give them some advance warning once you’re prepared for the primary lesson. Discuss 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 dad and mom. 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 prefer to be handled as adults. That features after they’re studying the right way to drive. Ms. Kendrick says that oldsters ought to keep away from speaking all the way down to their teenagers, making any adverse feedback, or treating them like little youngsters. 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 technique to information your teenagers is to ask them questions as a substitute of giving instructions. As a substitute of claiming decelerate or “you’re going to get a rushing ticket,” Mr. Parker suggests asking “what’s the pace restrict right here?” Research present that teenagers whose dad and mom ask questions slightly than make vital statements get into fewer accidents.
PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR SHOES
Research additionally present that many dad and mom focus their instruction extra on expertise that that they had problem mastering after they themselves realized the right way to drive than on the talents that greatest 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 dad and mom break right into a sweat), concentrate on expertise like the right way to safely merge on and off highways, which is the truth is a significant supply of sweet sixteen accidents.
STAY CALM
It may be nerve-racking instructing your teenagers the right way to drive, however don’t present it. Ms. Kendrick encourages dad and mom handy over the reins to another person if they will’t hold their “anxiousness 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 automobile. “Simply roll with it,” says Dr. Corinne Peek-Asa, a professor of public well being and professional on automobile harm prevention. Research present that when the environment is tense, dad and mom provide 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 dad and mom do than from something dad and mom inform them. Be a very good function mannequin and drive safely once you’re within the driver’s seat and your teenagers are the passengers. Jen Stockburger, director of operations at Client Report’s Auto Check Middle, places it effectively: “The instance you set for them behind the wheel could also be an important by way of truly preserving them protected, extra so than another security message you’ve given them of their whole life.”
Tanni Haas, Ph.D. is a Professor within the Division of Communication Arts, Sciences & Problems on the Metropolis College of New York – Brooklyn Faculty.
