Being a parent means navigating the emotions that come with many firsts. However, there are few firsts more anxiety-inducing first than your child’s first year behind the wheel. When your child starts driving, you may feel proud and hopeful, but you’ll almost always be anxious as well. Here are some tips for dealing with it. 

3 Ways to Manage the Stress When Your Child Starts Driving

1. Enact a “No Passenger Rule” for 6 Months

During your child’s first six months of driving, they’re still getting used to the feel of this new experience. As a result, even the smallest distractions can put them at risk of having an accident. To minimize these risks, set a rule prohibiting them from having passengers for six months. This helps ensure that they’re focused solely on the road. If you want to take things a step further, consider using an app that can alert you if they’re using their phone while driving. 

2. Make Sure They Understand Road Hazards

Even if you’re confident in your child’s ability to drive safely, you may fear the hazards on the road. The best way to reduce your anxiety level is to teach them about these hazards. First, remind them to drive defensively by staying two or three car lengths behind vehicles when possible and always checking blind spots. You should also make sure you’ve emphasized how rain, snow, and wind can make roads trickier to drive on and require a slower speed. Finally, warn them about animals –everything from deer to simple cats and dogs can run across the road without warning, so make sure your child knows to stay alert.

3. Utilize Rewards & Consequences

As a parent, you’ve likely used these two for many of your child’s firsts and they work just as well for teen driving. Let your child know there will be consequences such as being grounded, no cell phone access, etc. if they get a speeding ticket, stay out after curfew, or engage in other dangerous behaviors. Conversely, if they consistently maintain safe driving habits for several months, consider giving them a reward.

If you’re worried about your child driving, you could always consider Eaton Driving School in Rochester, NY. These experts provide driving instructions for new and seasoned drivers alike. For over three decades, they’ve helped people learn skills to say safe on the road. To contact them, visit their website or call (585) 227-4800. 

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