Comments on: From bike to car overnight

By: Karyn Climans

Karyn Climans — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 20:55:59 +0000

I’m terrified too. My kids are 19 and 17 and they are often out with friends who I know have been drinking. We insist that our son sleep overnight at the friends if his ride has been drinking. When our son has a staff party at our house recently, we insisted that the kids stay overnight if they were drinking.
Ontario law has recently changed so that any driver under 21 yrs who has had a single drop of alcohol will be fined! Very strict but probably wise.

By: Organic Motherhood with Cool Whip

Organic Motherhood with Cool Whip — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:47:15 +0000

I’m with you on teens not riding around with other teens. I know I will be freaked when my boys start driving at 16, but I hope that I can be chill enough to help them learn and drive around with them so they get experience. But as far as going around in cars with friends, I’m thinking no right now. Maybe with certain friends if I think they are very responsible…?

By: mommymommymommy

mommymommymommy — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:43:50 +0000

In NY, we drove at 16. I had lots of rules to follow, and I did. I was allowed in any friend’s car, my parents trusted them since I was a good kid who did not do drugs, alcohol or anything else I shouldn’t have.

My daughter is 15…yes 16 is too young! She isn;t even allowed to date yet! And I have already told her no car dates until she is 17!

I think I am going to be more overprotective, only because we did not have the distraction of cell phonees and texting while driving.
.-= mommymommymommy´s last blog ..Skillet Lasagne in a Jiffy =-.

By: debbie

debbie — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:38:05 +0000

I had one turn 16 in December and he still doesn't have his license. And yes, I do restrict who and when my kids can ride with. I think we just have to. .-= debbie´s last blog ..Guilty Pleasure =-.

By: Joyce

Joyce — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 03:40:41 +0000

My son is 16 and just got his license. You all are not making me feel better. I have posted a discussion question on this topic at my Blogfrog Community. I am trying to remember what it was like when I started to drive by myself.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:51:37 +0000

I can’t even think about my kids driving cars yet. I’m just worried about them putting on their helmets before they get on their bicycles with training wheels.

I remember driving at 16 and not being able to drive with others in my car either, and then just one other person. It’s scarey and I know that when my children start to drive, my heart with be out there with them! UGH!
.-= Danielle´s last blog ..Thursday Thirteen- Not Phased =-.

By: CherylT

CherylT — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 20:35:21 +0000

No, it is not too much. Statistics show that kids who drive with other kids are at a higher risk of suffering injury than kids who don’t. Let ‘em wait to drive with friends. My kids did. Perfectly reasonable.

By: Ginny Marie

Ginny Marie — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 19:26:00 +0000

My niece is 16, and she just got her license a couple of months ago. She is an awful driver! I have flat out told my sister-in-law that my niece is not allowed to drive with my 5yo and 2yo in the car! I really think another year would make a huge difference in her driving.

My nephew is 19, and he’s a good driver…but he’s careless. He has gotten several traffic tickets…and his parents have paid for every single one! How is he going to learn to stop driving recklessly if he doesn’t have to pay the consequences? I hope when it’s my turn to have teen-aged drivers that I am a good parent!
.-= Ginny Marie´s last blog ..Where in the World Bear Lake and Alberta Falls =-.

By: hangingwithmrscooper

hangingwithmrscooper — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 17:18:26 +0000

OMG!!! I was just having this conversation with a friend of mine the other night. Up here in MA the law is you cannot have other teens in the car with you until age 18 I believe. I am totally, totally fine with that. My daugther is 15 so that will be the big issue next year. Though I’m thinking of getting her the book this year so she can start reading it. I too will be very nervous. We didn’t have the distractions that kids have now. Loud music, cell phones, GPS systems, etc. Too much distraction. Once she does start driving I’m only going to have her go to school and back and that’s it. Little by little I’ll work in the rest. You are not be over cautious at all. You are being a loving, concerned Mom. Nice to meet you by the way. You have a new follower now.

By: Leslie

Leslie — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:41:25 +0000

This is a tough question: My son is 13-1/2 and I can see driving on the horizon. But here’s a story:

In Kansas, when I was in high school, we could drive alone to and from school (or work) at the age of 14 . Of course, everyone just drove everywhere they wanted anyway. My parents got me my first car a week before I went into high school.

The first day of high school, I TOTALED it by running into a parked semi because I was trying to avoid my house while “dragging” main and turned onto a gravel road going 20 mph. I wasn’t allowed to drive for two years after that.

I think it depends on the kid and their maturity level, but until someone is 18 (or, if they’re an immature boy, 30), driving should be limited and monitored closely.

I miss that first car. Sigh.
.-= Leslie´s last blog ..Cucumbers and Eyes – A Journey into Understanding =-.