The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1957-11-29
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TOO YOUNG Ii there is a
teen-aged youngster that calls
your house home, then I'm betting
you can count on one sure thing:
that boy or girl wants to drive,
and right now!
You can remember wanting to
drive, can't you? And it wasn't
nearly so important when you
were young as it is for youngsters
today. We're more of "nation on
wheels" now than ever was dream
ed of when you We're growing up
This fact you should remember
when faced with the problem of
our teen-ager who wants to drive.
You'll soon run through the OBJ
vious answers, answers like 'it's
against the law if you get
caught, I'll get into trouble /.
The patrolrnan win recognize you
=. You may have an accident, "
and SO on.
Convincing, of course. To you,
perhaps, but the kids will come
right back with "But Pm almost
old enough =. I'll be careful (.
won't have an accident"
Sure, you'll be firm, and the
answer is still NO. You've won the
round because you are the law in
your household. But you're also a
parent, and you don't want your
children unhappy, which they def
initely are at this point.
By now you know there is no
pat answer Nothing you can say
will make up for their Illustration
at not being allowed use of the
family car. If words don't do the
job, you'll have to act.
Here are some of the things you
can do until your son or daughter
is unquestionably ready to take
the wheel:
1. Avoid crisis stations. It's
partly an emotional problem with
the kids. Here is an obstacle they
can't push aside or avoid. They
can't drive because they aren't old
enough, so face 1.-THE answer is
MOI Escape" answers only in
crease tensions, so be realistic =
then refuse to worry about it.
2. Don't challenge their normal
needs for transportation. Take
them, within reason, where they
want to go-and then go for them.
This is your burden and it won't
last long. Help with their dating
problems by cooperating with 9th
er parents who are probably will
ing to take turns at the business
of @going for" and coming after
the youngsters.
8. Recognize natural Mechanical
interests and aptitudes. And pro-
vide a substitute. For boys let
them help you work on the car
and take care of it. Think of other
similar outlets-A shop in the
basement, a new hobby.
These alternatives are not easy,
but your children need your help
and understanding. They are being
brought up in a society that de-
ponds heavily on personal trans
portation, and for one too young
to drive, there ought to be ade-
quate substitutes.
This period won't last long, a
few years at most. Then will come
the day when they are old enough
to drive and with it another prob
lem.
It's now your responsibility to
see that your youngster learns
HOW to drive, not merely just
which pedals to push down, which
gadgets to manipulate.
There's much more to it than
that, of course. It's attitudes to-
ward safety and understanding of
the rights and privileges of others
who use the highways. 1t means
assuming additional responsible
ties, exercising self-discipline, be-
coming good citizen.
/ That's about it. You've weather
ed one of the most difficult times
of adolescence, and you've started
them off driving with the best
preparation. Now, maybe You can
relax.
AR~-la eotd