How to Deal with 17 yr old Teenager?

Question

My 17 year old recd a new car last month (he helped pay for it) and his social life has improved greatly. I don't mind him meeting his friends but I do worry as he is driving and once or twice I have attempted to contact him and his cell phone is turned off. Any advice how I should handle this? His excuse was low battery. It is not a matter of trust as he has never given me reason not to but I worry and he gets an attitude with me.

Answer 1

For his own safety it is best for the cell to be off while he is driving. Have him call you at a pre-scheduled time when he goes out with his friends. Most if not all cell phones have an "alarm" function that can be used as a reminder.

Answer 2

Until he does something that betrays your trust.. trust him..

I am a 14 year old and my parents don't trust me. I stayed over a friends house with the intention of going to the mall with some other friends and having them drop me off when I told them that my frends mom would drive me home that day. AND I called them to tell them I was sleeping over because the friend for the mall didn't show up >< And my cell phone died. My friend's dad was on the internet and they have dial up so you if someone calls it isn't received. My mom was ready to call the cops..

They found out what happened, but the reason I didn't tell them about the mall and the new friend is that they didn't know who this person was, but I did, and they were good friends of mine. I know my mom wouldn't let me go off with someone she didn't know. I knew I could handle it myself so I just didn't tell.

So, trust your child more and give them free space.. I feel like I am being smothered by my parents now they don't trust me, they put filters on my computer and cell phone, I have an earlier curfew, need to know where I am 24/7.

Good Luck.
-Az9

Answer 3

It's very simple,Ma'am....you could try giving hi a real scare by filing a missing person report and getting a cop to find him for you, which would scare the hell out of most teenagers...or you could simply take the cellphone away and throw it in front of him, because it seems to be not much use anyway. The latter technique would be useful in the scenario where te mobile is an expensive model, while the former would be a more extreme approach.

Answer 4

Tell him that he must be responsible enough to recharge his cell phone battery before driving. Also, let him know that sometimes you need to reach him, so his cell phone must be turned on at all times. Alternatively, you could simply require that he call you at regular intervals of time (i.e. once every 2 hours) to check in with you.

If he fails to answer his cell phone, then revoke his car privilges for 1 week. Keep on adding 1 week each time he disobeys you.

Answer 5

As a 15 year old - if I was your teenager...or just that was me in my situation, I would want my Dad or Mom to sit down and talk with me. I would expect them to say that they're worried, and that they just want me to drive safe. I would definitely respond better though if this was all said politely and to the point. I would want my Dad to tell me why he wanted to be able to contact me at all times (mostly because he cares about me) or I would expect him to ask me to maybe check in with him like once an hour or so. You see I find that the general problem with parents is - they lay down tons and tons of rules...freak out when life happens and they're broken. They don't really lay down their rules around reality or life...because let's face it life happens, teenagers are gonna experiment with drinking just whatever the situation were. If parents would be more honest and more understanding of that, then it would be such a big deal to the teenager. For example, my dad has always said that if I must try drinking than tell him and he'd let me try it, that'd if I must do it, he'd rather know I was safe with him rather than in a situation behind his back where I could get hurt. Because of that I've never felt like drinking was a big deal or anything, I tried it once or twice, but since it didn't have the excitement of rule breaking or just whatever you feel when your a teenager, it wasn't a big deal at all. That's just one example. So talk to your teenager, with reality in mind. Don't expect it to be the perfect parent lays down strict rules and child just follows them...be reasonable with reality. Tell him you just want him to check in every hour (like calling to say hey I'm okay and this is where I'm at)...that way you know he's safe, and in case something happens and he doesn't come home you know where to look or where to tell people to look. Just make your focus point it's only because you care about him and you want him to be safe. Take care and I hope this helps!

Answer 6

Make sure he has a car charger for his phone, and that he no longer has an excuse for not answering your calls. It's normal for them to spread their wings, but you don't want to let go completely just yet, he's not ready - no matter what he thinks.

Answer 7

Since hes 17, he still has to obey their parents, then tell him to turn on his cellphone ar maybe track him on someway. Or, maybe you could take away his car but that would be a little harsh...well for me anyways, I suggest talking to him about your worries about him, ya know, accidents may happen. Tell him how worried you are whenever you cant contact him..

Answer 8

hi AnN!!!!
c u r sufferin 4m a very common prob or i can say ur child iz sufferin 4m a very critical or u can say crucial path/way of his life...teenage life iz de mostttt dificult life 2 handle....in dis age grp children r very arrogant,disobedient...etc etc...as far as i think u should talk 2 him politely n make him understand de way u feel abt him...how much u get tensed up when he switches off his cell....he might then say u dat "MOM U R BEIN VERYYYY POSSESIVE"....but try 2 explain him as clearly as u can...he may not listen 2 u...but i m sure 1 day he'll surely understand u ...he will surely realize his mistrake n will ask u 4 4giveness....n will make u happy in every aspect of life......c in teenage life children needs 4ndz...they wanna c a friend in u rather than a mom...hope u hav understood my meanin....dis iz de way i think now its upto u.tc..sweet dreamz...bye...

*****hopE u LIKed mY anS...*****

Answer 9

Get him a car charger for his phone so there is no excuse.

Answer 10

Take the keys until he realizes that he needs to have it on all the time.