Author: Cameron Summerson / Source: howtogeek.com
There comes a time in every parent’s life when they have to face reality: one day, your little one is going to grow, mature, and learn to drive. It’s scary. Here are some tips to help keep their eyes off their phone and on the road.
When it comes down to it, keeping your kids safe from the small-screen distraction when behind the wheel is two parts communication and one part technology.
The good news is that no matter what, you’re being proactive about the situation.Start By Talking to Them
With kids, talking goes a long way! They may not always act like it, but they’re listening. They remember the things you say, and as much as they don’t want to admit it, they know you’re right.
Sometimes, however, talking to them in a way that doesn’t seem overbearing or patronizing is difficult, especially when it’s about something important. And there are few things as important as keeping them safe behind the wheel. When I was younger, my dad always told me “Children bury their parents, not the other way around.” I still think about that a lot, and now that I’m a parent myself I absolutely know what he meant. (Proof that kids do listen and remember.)
So just talk to them. Have a conversation. Tell them how you feel, let them know that while it seems like just “quickly checking a text” doesn’t seem like a big deal, it only takes a split second for an accident to happen. A car is like a loaded gun—and demands as much respect as one, too.
Image Credit: sirtavelalot/Shutterstock.com
Lead By Example
I know, you have years of experience driving, so you know what to do. I’m with you there, but it’s hard to tell your kids one thing when they see you doing the exact opposite!
If you really want your children to take to heart the things you say, leading by example is the absolute best thing you can do. Don’t mess with your phone while you drive. Don’t reply to texts. Don’t even read them. It can wait.
If they see you actively ignoring incoming texts or other notifications, that speaks louder than anything you can say to them—telling them not to do something that you do even occasionally tells them it’s not that serious. That it’s a bad idea in theory, but is okay in practice as long you “try to be careful.”
Think about it: if they see you doing it and think it’s okay, could you ever forgive yourself if something terrible were…
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