Bubble Wrap is not an Option

Yesterday,  I was sobbing on the treadmill.  Now, those that know me, could attribute this to the fact that I was on the treadmill in the first place.  However, that had nothing to do with it.  It was because of a Kohl's commercial-and no, not because I missed a sale.  The spot was really about a organization that Kohl's must be supporting and featured the story of a 17 year old boy who died in a car accident.  I have a 17 year old boy who drives.  The story was told by his younger (blond) sister.  My son has a younger (blond) sister.  It just hit too close to home for me.  My son drives and I worry every time he leaves the house until he is back home. 

According to AAA, the top 10 deadliest days for new drivers happen between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  An average of 422 teens die in car accidents in June, July, or August.  That is about 14 a day.  So, I thought about wrapping him up in bubblewrap and locking him in his room, but that was vetoed pretty quickly by everyone else.  So, instead I had a conversation with him.  Now, mind you this conversation took place over several days as the eyes tend to glaze over after a few minutes.  I thought I might share what we talked about.

1.  I am very thankful for the Graduated Drivers Licensing Laws in CT that limit when he can drive and with who.  I reiterated that our house rules of no teens in the car and home by 11 would not change in the near future. 

2.  I will continue to ask him where he is going and who he is meeting and why and he will have clear answers or he will not go.  There will be no driving without a purpose. 

3.  His father and I will continue to drive with him and instruct him what to do in certain situations.  Just because he has his license does not mean he has free reign, it means he is ready to begin to drive on his own.

4.  We reminded him that he is never to get in a car with anyone under the influence, nor was he to drive a car under the influence.  We are always available to pick him up.  

As a side note, in my town, according to a recent survey 7.2% of 7th graders and 27.1% of 12th graders reported riding in a car with someone under the influence.

5.  I reviewed and updated his driving contract with him.  A driving contract can help you set and enforce rules and one can be found at TeenDriving.AAA.com

6.  Finally, I showed him pictures of recent car accidents in which teens died, usually due to speed.  Then, we showed him how to use cruise control to slow himself down because as I have said he is a 17 year old boy.

I am doing the best I can do and I know I have to let him go out into the world.  Just in case I change my mind,  I think I may go price some bubblewrap-I bet ebay sells it.