Three nights ago we told our 16 year old son that he could get his license only if he quit drinking. After a long converstation he promised he would quit drinking. Two nights later he came home drunk. His appointment is march 13th. Should we still let him get his license?
2007-03-09 16:24:48 · 35 answers · asked by dldouc 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Umm, NO.! He needs to stop drinking and show you guys he has enough responsibility for a car, which he does not yet.! :]
2007-03-09 16:28:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely not. There's no combination in the world more dangerous than a new driver and alcohol. I know it's hard, and will probably be very inconvenient for you as a parent, but I would tell him he's going to have to wait till he's 18 and can legally get the license on his own. You may be thinking now, "Well, what if he goes without drinking for 3 months?" The answer to that is, "Will you really know that for sure?" There's no blood test that will tell after 24 hours and a teenager can become pretty clever about hiding drinking from you if there's a goal in mind. Let him know you're serious about this. If you think he has already become an alcoholic, get him help. If he's not, stress to him the fact that regardless of dna history for or against becoming an alcoholic, kids who drink are more likely to become alcoholics. The drinking of alcohol is an adult activity, something that adults should do responsibly. Unfortunately, many adults do not drink responsibly but many more do. My husband and I enjoy our cocktails but we do not drink and drive. Telling your son he has to wait till he's 18 to get his license may instill a strong sense of resonsibility in him and will likely avoid a trip to the mortuary for you. Take care, good luck and be strong.
2007-03-09 17:43:36 · answer #2 · answered by PDY 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not. He has proven that he is not responsible enough for a driver's license. You said that he could get his license IF he stopped drinking. Clearly, he did NOT. You need to follow through with your consequence. If you don't, then the discussion you had with him was just full of emptry threats. You don't want him to lose respect for you and your household rules. Cancel his appointment. Besides, he's only 16. He's a minor. If he does damage to property driving drunk or kills someone, he won't be the only person held responsible.
2007-03-09 16:33:21 · answer #3 · answered by Darlie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He can always get another appointment, he broke his promise and it'll be good that he sees that you were serious.
Tell him you'll give him another chance in ?? months (you determine how long) and see if he keeps his word.
Letting him take his license now will send him the wrong message and the statistics about drunk driving and accidents are very high.
For his safety and for your peace of mind, don't let him take his test this March.
2007-03-09 16:33:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No way. If he's drinking, and drinking so much that he gets drunk at 16, I'd be willing to bet that he's going to get behind the wheel while he's drunk. If he were my kid, not only would he not be testing for his license, he'd be in some kind of program to get him to stop drinking.
2007-03-09 16:30:28 · answer #5 · answered by MrMarblesTI 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At this point in time, you need to stick to the consequences that you have ALREADY laid out for your teenage son .. which is IF he stayed sober, then he could drive.
Since he definitely could NOT remain sober ... miss the appointment, and yes, this is the consequence of his actions.
Better he learn this lesson now (at home, from his parents), than he get behind the wheel, blasted drunk (with teenage 'friends' around), and yes, KILL or seriously injure himself/others while driving under the influence.
2007-03-09 17:08:02 · answer #6 · answered by sglmom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not. Not until he leaves your house. Visit a Mother's Against Drunk Driving website. MADD. You'll be amazed at the sad statistics. Giving your son a liscence at this time would be like giving him a gun with one bullet and encouraging him to play russian roulette. Don't do it. Instead, get him into AA. He has a drinking problem.
2007-03-09 17:00:14 · answer #7 · answered by amazingly intelligent 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you should get him help with his drinking problem. This definitely qualifies as a drinking problem, because it is preventing him from functioning well in his family and getting his license. Take care of it now before it gets worse.
2007-03-09 18:25:04 · answer #8 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO! you have to have some control over your kid. If you let him get his licence, and he's acting up... you're not being a good mother. You're setting him up for failure. If he comes home drunk, GROUND HIM and not let him leave the house for a few weeks. seriously, he'll probably get drunk and then drive and hit some pedestrain or other car and then you're going to be the one to blame in the long run.
2007-03-09 17:44:22 · answer #9 · answered by [-♥-] 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think he needs to grow up first. Drinking and driving, at any age is no good. Get him help, real help with his drinking. That's more important, right now. Driving is a PRivilege, now a right! Be tough on him now- growing up is tough, and he's just made it tougher on himself- don't help him over the edge. He's not responsible enough to take this step yet- driving-.
2007-03-09 16:40:53 · answer #10 · answered by regwoman123 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no .no. no-Get him some real counselling and rehab first.He has already proven that he isn't taking this seriously enough by coming home drunk-so get serious and make him own up to the responsibilities of drinking responsibly before he gets keys to a car. good luck
2007-03-09 16:32:06 · answer #11 · answered by sweetsmiles69@jennieask-me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋