When my oldest child decided it was time for him to drive I was relieved that he finally wanted to get a driver's license and I could stop driving him to college each day! The next two kids didn't wait so long and got their licenses quickly upon turning 16. Now they could do some of my errands and I could wait at home biting my nails till they walked in the door again.
Now we all know that when our kids start to drive it brings us benefits and worries. We have to pay more car insurance, we spend countless hours waiting for them to come home, we certainly get more gray hair and we worry that they will drink and drive. That is the BIG ONE!
While I'd like to say that none of my children have indulged in the occasional alcoholic beverage while under the legal drinking age I'd be telling an untruth. So when they started to drive we sat them down and reminded them we would prefer that they do not drink. We demanded that they NEVER drink and drive.
Some of you may not agree but my husband and I instituted the 'CONTRACT" in our home and it works for us! The contract is as follows:
I ___________________ agree to NEVER drive under the influence of any alcohol or substance. I realize that driving is a privilege and I respect that. I _____________________ promise and swear that if I am ever under the influence I WILL NOT DRIVE AT ALL. I will stay where I am or call my parents for a ride regardless of the time.
My parents ___________________ and ________________________ promise to pick me up at any time without screaming at me the whole way home. I will not babble to them on that ride as they will probably not be thrilled with waking up in the middle of the night to come get me BUT they will because they love me.
I will not be punished for drinking BUT I will patiently listen to the lecture that is sure to follow the next morning.
If I break this contract my parents have every right to sell my vehicle and use the funds from the sale on something JUST FOR THEM.
I ___________________also agree to never get in a friend's car who has been drinking. I will call home for a ride. I will also do my best to stop a friend from driving drunk because I do care. This is for my safety as well as the safety of the driver who may be hit by me making a poor choice to drink and drive. I do not have that right to take their life due to a poor decision to drink and drive.
Date_________________________ Signature________________________Child
Date_________________________
Signature________________________ Parent
Now some of you may think if you tell your kids to not drink they won't. Maybe, just maybe that will work for some of you BUT think back to the age you were when you had your first drink. I thought so! Kids are going to try things that's how they learn. So better to be prepared than to be that parent who is called to the morgue to identify your child. Be smart parents and protect those precious gifts from themselves and innocent drivers on the road.
Yes I have received those calls in the middle of the night and I have gotten up and picked them up regardless of the time or how tired I was. Their friends also know I am available to them too! I love them enough to pick them up.
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A few more tips for those parents who's kids are appoaching driving age.
... The driving curfew for kids under 18 is 11PM. Make them stick to that. It will save you countless hours of lost sleep.
...If you are screaming at your kid while teaching them how to drive invest in a professional driving school. I could not do it! I was a nervous wreck so all my kids who drive went to Urbanek's driving school right here in Warminster (215-443-7568) Best investment I've ever made! I swear that man has nerves of steel!
www.urbsdrivingschool.com
...Drivers education classes not only brought me peace of mind but a discount on my insurance:)
...Good grades are vital to the insurance also. You can get a good student discount when your child maintains good grades!
...We also instituted a policy that if you want to drive THEN you also want to pay your car insurance. Driving is a privilege. If you'd like to drive them be prepared to pay your share of the insurance. Having them be responsible for even part of the payment teaches them responsibility! They will thank you one day!
Good luck and remind those kids to buckle those seatbelts!
