I can’t believe that my daughter is old enough to get her drivers license already, it seems like yesterday that I was bringing her home from the hospital. The time has flown by quickly and she is turning into a beautiful young lady. My daughter was born with a bilateral hearing loss and wears a cochlear implant. In fact, she turned 16 in December of 2012 and weren’t quite ready for her to taking drivers education until a few weeks ago when she began asking if she could find a job.
Driving Will Give Her the Freedom to Get a Job in the Future
She has been wanting us to let her get a job this summer, so that she can earn some extra money to help pay for her band activities and spend money on things that she wants. With her band schedule it would be difficult for her to maintain a job and keep up with her grades, right now if she found a job she would be dependent on us to take her to and from work each day. A few weeks ago my husband asked her if she wanted to learn how to drive. She eagerly jumped at the opportunity and said yes.
Teens Can Now Take Online Drivers Education Courses and Leaving Parents Teach Them How to Drive
Things have changed since I took drivers education and now it is not uncommon for parents to teach their own children how to drive. Parent taught drivers education is cheaper and is more flexible than traditional drivers education courses. A parent taught course requires the same amount of hours and instruction as traditional drivers ed. However, your teen isn’t required to attend classes that require parents to drive out of their way to take their child nor be required to show up to class at a certain time.
Teenagers Who Spend Longer Driving With Their Parents Supervision Are Less Likely to Have an Accident
We will be taking our time at getting her full drivers license and making sure that she is ready to handle various driving circumstances before we allow her to drive by herself. Driving a car is a huge responsibility and it is not just a financial commitment. I have to admit I am nervous about her driving, especially, since she has trouble hearing when there is a bunch of noise going on around her. When you are driving, you have to be attentive and avoid distractions such as using your cell phone, eating, drinking, or messing with the radio.
Parents were you afraid of letting your teenager get behind the wheel of the car?
To get weekly updates to Uplifting Families, please subscribe to my newsletter or join in the conversation with me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and G+.
