Well to start off, my son is 15 and a half years old, he goes out almost every weekend and is maintaining a 3.5 GPA as a sophomore in High School. He is maintaining a steady job and works during the weekends. About 2 months ago he has asked me to let him start learning about driving. I said “No, your too young”. Now he constantly nags me about driving and I tell him the same answer every time. I don’t think he is responsible enough because he goes out every weekend until 12 or 1 am and I have no clue where he goes. He has never gotten in trouble at school or anything. Sometimes at home he is defiant to me and doesn’t want to do his homework. I caught him sneaking my car out twice. Now he seems very depressed and never talks me or his mother. Should I allow him to drive or not?
2006-12-03 14:56:43 · 6 answers · asked by Joseph T 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Put together a contract for him. If he can agree to your terms for a month or so, allow him to start to learn. Put together another contract for when he can drive, specifically about the car's curfew, and who is allowed in the car. If he breaks even one point of the contract, his privileges are taken away. This has the added benefit of teaching him about contracts for later in life, and what signing something means.
Also, this sneaking out with your car is just a disaster waiting to happen. Think of the liability issues if he were to get in an accident.Take any car keys, and keep them in your control, at all times. He should not have his own keys until he is older.
2006-12-03 14:58:28 · answer #1 · answered by shaclare 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My parents were more than willing to get us to start driving with all the extracurricular activities my siblings and I were involved in, but that's besides the point. The key is to not just give in because if you do it will lead to other pit falls. Decide on a date in which you believe he will be old enough to drive and on that date you must stick to your end of the deal. Also, I'm not sure why he's going out that late anyway. A sophomore should be home by ten at the latest, unless it is for a school function.
2006-12-03 23:10:03 · answer #2 · answered by Briana C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
15 is a vulnerable age.Now is not the time to just be friendly parent you have to be a disciplinarian also. At 15 he needs a curfew, sit him down and talk with him and let him no how you feel about the sneeking out. make sure allow him to speak. Although he is a high achiever tell him until he shows some responsibility there will be no driving.Period.
2006-12-04 00:32:25 · answer #3 · answered by Nikita R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion a 15 yr old should have a curfew and you should know where he is at all times. If he can abide by your curfew and be home on time for a period of time, I would consider enrolling him in the school or county drivers training program. They usually start in the sophomore year.
2006-12-03 23:11:15 · answer #4 · answered by marincaligirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he is responsible enough to buy his own car then he is responsible enough to drive it. Get the book, "Parenting Teens with Love and Logic" by Foster Cline. This is a GREAT book and will help with questions like these.
2006-12-03 23:01:29 · answer #5 · answered by WDS 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell him how you feel. Tell him he MUST be the best in his driver's ed class in order to get his license. Also, tell him ANY ticket between now and eighteen LOSES the right to drive! Let him know he has a lot to lose.
2006-12-03 23:22:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋