Let the Preparations Begin!

By: Lora Crouch

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So here I am, One nerve racked Mom!

Getting ready to partake in the start of the biggest journey a parent has! Letting their kids grow up and have a little independence. Now to me this is a very scary thing however I feel that as long as I do my part as a parent and prepare the best I can, then I can sleep a little easier at night. No one told me that each new mile stone would be harder than the next! I mean seriously when I first taught my child to ride a bike I never thought I would be able to let go of the back and trust them in their own action.

I did though, and that was one proud moment, yet with a hint of sadness knowing my child needs me that much less now. Heart Breaking right? So how am I going to get through teaching them to drive and trusting them alone in a vehicle? This is the big time! There isn’t just two wheels but four! I won’t have to worry about the webble wobble of their little bodies chancing to fall,

but I will have to worry about this big hunk of metal getting my child safely to where they need to go without crashing into anything or anyone.

Oh my head hurts just thinking about it! This is why I am so thankful for the internet! It is full of so many resources to help in every aspect of your life! So now I have began preparing my child for everything that can happen while driving and while trying not to scare the heck out of them!

This could be fun! The first and most important thing you need to do to begin is find the safest, teen friendly (cost to replace if wrecked) vehicle out there for your child. It is also important that your child knows how to change a tire and check the oil! Even if this does just mean contacting your local mechanic to help them out! Keeping regular service up on their vehicle is extra important too so that anything that could possibly cause a wreck is prevented.

I have researched till my eyes burned!

Why is the leading cause of death in teens caused from motor vehicle crashes? There are two main reasons that I could see. First of all, did you know that it is a scientific fact that the area of the brain that regulates logic and reasoning develop before the area that controls impulse and emotion? It’s because of this that the second main reason for the fatal teen crashes is lack of preparations and setting rules and limits for your teen! Here are the top 5 things to set limits and educate your teen on….

• Night Driving: Make sure they have had plenty of supervised training before letting them try on their own. When they are ready only let them drive at night when it is necessary.
• Drinking and Driving: All teens should be aware of the dangers of drinking and driving! I feel it is okay to show them the horrific results of such behavior so they can see what they could put them or someone else through. Of course teens should not be drinking anyways but we all know at some point they will get sucked into peer pressure and it will happen. If that’s the case they should always call home for a ride before getting behind the wheel! Getting in trouble for drinking is far less than what could happen if they had a wreck while intoxicated.
• Passengers/Distractions: Set rules and limits to not haul anyone around until they have had plenty of driving time.
• Seat Belt Always: This should always be a rule! Again show them through the internet the difference in wrecks with seat belts and without. Sometimes being real with your teen will keep their eyes open.
• Cell phone or Device Usage: They should know to not ever text and drive! If they have to text whoever it is that can’t wait, before they start driving and let them know they will text as soon as they are out of the vehicle! If those people care enough for their safety and the safety of others then it won’t be a problem.

I know that I cannot protect my child every minute of every day, however, I can take steps in assuring they are fully aware of any and all consequences! Just because they have their license doesn’t mean they are ready to be let go.