Owning a car is a serious responsibility. Not only are you responsible for the vehicle, but you are responsible for the lives of everyone in the vehicle and everyone that comes around the vehicle when it is moving. A license is not the best sign to determine if your teenager is ready for his own car. Here are some points to consider.

1. An understanding of finances can be invaluable when it comes to owning a car. Ideally, the teenager needs to have earned at least a portion of the purchase price. After the car has been bought, it is a good idea for the new driver to be financially obligated to purchase the gas, do regular maintenance and pay for the insurance - all with his own money. The need for income cannot replace the need for good grades in school. A responsible person will figure out how to balance the two needs in order to accomplish his goals.

2. Almost anyone can pass the driver’s test given locally. It is far more important that Mom or Dad give the new driver a passing grade. Not only should the teenager know the legal rules, but he should understand how to drive defensively and learn to see problems before they arise.

3. A teenager that is respectful to Mom and Dad and other adults is much more likely to be respectful to authority. Attitude is not a good thing on the road. If your teenager shows respect and a mild temperament then he may be ready to have his own vehicle.

4. One good turn deserves another. Let your teenager borrow your car for a few nights (or even a couple of weeks). Long enough for the novelty of driving to wear off. After that you will likely see how he is going to treat his own car if you ever decide he is ready for one.

5. It is extremely important that your teenager have plenty of time behind the wheel before she flies solo. It is just as important that she experience different driving situations. Take her on a road trip and let her do some driving on the interstate, in city traffic and other situations you think might arise. Give her the experience a little bit at a time and her sense of responsibility and confidence behind the wheel will continue to grow.

6. Each teenager will be different. It’s not a good idea to set a date deadline for getting a teenager his first car. Instead judge each individual on his (or her) attitudes and actions.

Giving a teenager a car is like providing her with a weapon that weighs over a ton and that goes 70 miles an hour. It can be dangerous and scary. Be sure that your teenager appreciates the severity of the situation, is willing to take financial responsibility and is determined to respect the rules and authority that govern the road.

The time has come!  Your teen has just received his license and the worry begins.  Although summer is just around the corner, teens that drive will be spending more time on the road.  To this end, here are tips for keeping your teen safe on the road this summer:

* Set ground rules as to when your teen can use the car.  Daytime driving in the beginning, at least for the first six months; then gradually allow your teen to drive at night; but only up until a certain hour.
* Teach by example.  Do not drive and use a cell phone; or eat while driving.  Don’t tailgate or speed; or invoke any road rage when driving.  Never drink and drive.  Wearing seat belts is now a law; therefore, follow all of the rules and regulations taught in driving school.  Your teen will take note, and follow your lead.
* Limit the areas where your teen can drive, at least until he or she has been driving for a while.
* Do not allow any passengers in the car for at least six months.  They need to understand the rules of the road, and not engage in conversation with friends.  These can ultimately distract them causing an accident.
* Ensure your car is well maintained.  Check the tires regularly; windshield wiper fluid; water; brakes; windshield wipers, etc.
* Accompany them as much as possible in the beginning; pointing out hazards they may come across such as holes; construction, and the like.  Mix up the routes so they become used to driving to different places.
* Take your teen to your regular gas station, so they become acquainted with the personnel, and can select the proper gas for your car.  Teach them how to put air in the tires as well.
* If you don’t already have one, purchase an emergency road kit, and explain each item to the teen.
* Teach your teen how to change a tire, how to use road flares, and what to do in an emergency.

These tips for keeping your teen safe on the road this summer probably need to be mentioned often to help them remember.  Another thing to point out is that while they are a safe driver, others on the road may not be.

The SAT that our teens take today isn’t like the one we took years ago.

Did you know that a few years ago, the SAT became a longer, more challenging, and a lot different? The SAT is now 3 hours and 45 minutes long. What was known as the Verbal Section has been renamed Critical Reading and the Analogies questions have been eliminated and replaced with Short Reading Passages.

An SAT Writing Section has been added, which contains multiple-choice grammar questions and a 25-minute written essay. Finally, the Math Section has been expanded to include three years of high school math — in other words, it now includes harder questions in the area of algebra II.

For your teen, taking the SAT is a huge, life molding event. It marks the beginning of a countdown to your child’s high school graduation and has us, parents, thinking seriously sending our teens off to college.

Helping our teens prepare for the SAT is crucial! It is important to not leave this preparation solely in the hands of your child’s school. It is important to arm your child with other materials that help them gain the test taking skills that will propel them to higher SAT test scores.

Here is a very popular and proven guide to help your teen obtain a higher SAT Scores. The book is filled with exercises, drills, and full-length sample exams that create a true-to-life testing experience: http://parentingmyteen.com/SAT-Preparation.HTML
Here’s to helping your teen do his/her very best!

Drunk driving is the number one killer of people aged 15 to 24.  That’s why it’s important to take extra steps to keep your teen from driving drunk.  It may take extra time and a bit of courage, but you may be saving the life of your child or someone else’s child.

Start early.  Just because your teen can’t drive doesn’t mean they don’t need to learn about drunk driving.  If you make your opinion clear to them before they start driving, it’s more likely to stick.  This will also help your younger teens make correct decisions when offered a ride by a drunk driver. 

Teach them about consequences.  Most people make it clear to their teens that driving drunk could kill them and others, but they don’t detail what could happen to them if they get caught.  Find out the drunk driving laws in your state and explain them to your teen.  Remind them that a drunk driving conviction cannot only land them in jail, but also prevent them from getting a quality job and in a worst case scenario can kill. 

Let them know they can come to you.  Let your teen know they can come to you for a problem.  If your child calls you drunk, you’re first urge is probably to yell and scream at them for drinking.  However, if your child feels harassed when they call you for a ride, they’ll probably never do it again.  They should be punished, but let them know they made a good decision in calling you.

Encourage them to get involved.  Most schools have organizations that try to deter drunk driving.  There are clubs such and SADD (students against drunk driving) or services that give drunk teens rides home.  A message coming from their peers is more likely to stick than one coming from you.  

Be an example.  Once you’ve talked to your teen; you need to follow through by not drinking and driving yourself.  Even if you have only drank a little bit and feel you’re capable of driving, give someone else your keys.  Children tend to follow their parent’s example.

You can’t make decisions for your teen, but you can help them make good choices by talking to them early and often about not drinking and driving.

As you know, school will be out soon and our pre-teens and teens usually end up being bored before the 2nd week of summer vacation is even over.

Well, I have some help for all of you parents that fear hearing the dreaded words “There’s Nothing To Do”. I also have help for the parents that don’t like to have their children spend hours upon hours watching TV, playing video games and or getting into trouble just roaming the streets!

Last year I organized The ‘School’s Out! Plan The Perfect Teen Summer’ seminar and it was a huge it. It was a 2-day event featuring 4 experts that talked about all the many positive things that you and your teen can be focusing on during the summer. Things like: Education, money, staying out of trouble, self esteem and much more.
Well, I’ve been approached my many parents of teens asking me to put the package back up on the shelf for purchase and that is just what I did.

School’s Out! Plan For the Perfect Teen Summer
http://www.parentingmyteen.com/schools_out.html is now available for purchase again.

This School’s Out Package includes:

- a 10 Week Summer Action plan/report with ideas for keeping your pre-teens and teens occupied.

- Access to the Recordings of the Four Great Speaker sessions with advice for you on ’summer with your teen’ topics.

- 11 page report on Summer Learning For Your Teen: That discusses “summer brain drain”, the loss of learning that occurs in students over the summer and how parents of teens can help prevent summer learning loss. <– HOT TOPIC

-15 page report on all the basic skills your teen needs to live on his own down the road.

- A 90 minute audio explaining Nine Easy Steps to Solve Conflicts with your Child or Teen.

And to top that off your purchase is protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee!

Visit http://www.parentingmyteen.com/schools_out.html to get in on this opportunity to plan the perfect summer for your teen. Now is the perfect time to start