How to Help Your Children Learn to Drive - 9 Tips to Make it Easier

Your son or daughter has just turned fifteen and their hands are itching to get on that wheel. They're eager, excited and they certainly don't want their parents getting in their way. At this time they are vulnerable but don't want to show you that. Teen angst is getting in the way.

It's probably the worst time for parents and teenager to bond because the teens are at the age where they want nothing to do with their parents and parents can be going through a midlife crisis. But driving is something most everyone has to do and most everyone wants to do. And what better person to teach your child that you?

But pride and arrogance often gets in the way teaching and learning in this arena. Sometimes parents aren't good teachers because they've been doing it all their lives and expect the children to learn too quickly. Sometimes the children aren't good learners because they've got it in their heads that they know more than you do. What's the solution? Here are a few tips and guidelines for parents to ensure that you and your teen will be able to have a good experience when learning how to drive.

Tip Number One: Congratulate your teen. They're fifteen!

Make a big deal out of being able to drive, becoming an adult. Most teenagers act like children because they're treated that way. They can't do this, they can't do that. But driving is something that will be coming up in the next year and they will have to learn. It's part of growing up and being an adult.

Tip Number Two: Get them the test books on their birthday.

They need materials. Don't leave it to them to go to the store or the DMV to get books. Let them know you've been thinking about them. Let them know that you really care and want them to really have this in their lives. A teenager can sometimes feel that their parents are so caught up in work and significant others that they are forgotten about. But giving them a driving book on their birthday lets them know that realize they are becoming adults as much as they do.

Tip Number Three: Tell them when you're free and offer help on the tests in the book.

At dinner or after school or during American Idol commercials, tell your teen offhanded that you are free on Thursday afternoons or Saturday mornings to go over the booklets with them or to take them out for a drive. This will let them know that you are willing and ready to help them in whatever ways possible.

Tip Number Four: Ask your teen directly when they want you to take them out driving.

Don't force yourself on them but let them know that it is your responsibility to help them drive well. You want them to succeed. Once you've told them what days you're free, set up a time and a place to go over things. Being active about your teen learning to drive lets them know that all your talk isn't just talk.

Tip Number Five: Make an appointment at the DMV for the verbal test.

You've got a deadline for the test. Before they even look at the book, make an appointment so they know how much time they have to study.

Tip Number Five:Set up a schedule for driving lessons.

Some schools have driving lessons but if they don't or if your teen wants to take them from you, set up a good schedule. What happens sometimes is that after the first time out, the teen gets bored or the parent gets frustrated and they never make any other plan to go out driving. So set up a weekly or bi-weekly schedule of driving lessons.

Tip Number Six: Let them go at their own pace.

When scheduling, let them decide how many times a month you study or have driving lessons. And when learning, let them learn at their own pace, asking questions. Patience is word when teaching someone anything. Whether your child has to have repetitive lessons because that's how they learn or they have learning problems, you should be there to help no matter what.

Tip Number Seven: Watch your temper.

We all fight. Especially teens and their parents. But watch it. This will be a memorable time for you and your teen. This may be the last time you will have such bonding moments. But besides that, this could be where you solve your teen angst problems. When people sit down and talk, they usually learn something about each other. So during all your lessons, take it upon yourself to really listen to your teenager. Between school, home and friends, they probably have a lot on their plate that they keep from you. This is a time that you can take to get to know your child or a time that you can take to yell at your child. It's up to you.

Tip Number Eight:From test questions to actually driving, give them the power.

This not only helps them feel more like an adult but it helps you to realize that your kids are actually growing up. When they mess up, let them deal with figuring out the problem. Let them find the answers themselves. This is one of the first times in a parent's life when they realize they have to let go. The word here is help, not control.

Tip Number Nine: Encourage them.

This is also a time that teens can feel insecure about screwing up on both the verbal and driving tests. Tell them they've got plenty of chances but also tell them they will do great. Let them know if they've done a great job.

Being a parent is harder than it looks. Every moment counts. And when they come out of that DV with a certificate in hand, the best feeling is knowing that you helped them to accomplish this goal.