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Safety More Important Than Trendy Parenting
Apr 04 2008 by Sara Lacey
4/4/08
Set Rules to Keep Kids Safe
I like trends. While I don’t necessarily bite on every jelly shoe or skinny/flared jean that comes my way, I do enjoy a good, fun shot at something novel. We’ve written about a few trends here, but none more important than the teen driving trends we’ve discussed in the past few weeks. You know, like the scary one about the increasing odds of tweens dying in a car accident. There’s also the trend of fewer 16-year-olds getting their driver’s licenses, which often only means they’re riding more with their friends — thus, less seat-belt wearing and more sketchy car behavior.
I’ve interviewed some parents who’ve had to deal with their teens riding in cars with other kids, and I always ask them their strategies for keeping their kids safe. I’m not looking for some gimmicky trick that won’t stand the test of time; I want something tried and true — a classic, if you will. The primary method for most parents seems to be a code word or phrase their kids can use if they’re out and about with friends and become uncomfortable with anything going on in the car (drinking, speeding, reckless behavior, all of the above). In those situations, they can then call home and speak a code word or phrase. For example, maybe the code phrase is Jell-O:
Ring, ring.
MOM: Hello?
KID: Hi Mom, it’s me.
MOM: Hi honey, how are you?
KID: I’m fine, just checking in like I said I would.
MOM: Thank you, when do you think you’ll be home?
KID: Oh, it’s just red Jell-O I spilled. I tried to clean it up, don’t freak out!
MOM: I just heard our secret code phrase. I’ll come get you.
KID: I can’t believe you’re so lame, it’s just Jell-O!
MOM: Got it. Where are you, and I’ll come get you.
KID: Well, you’re just going to have to come get me at Lucy’s house then. I’m not going to make her bring me home because you’re being a total jerk…
You get the picture. These parents say they’re happy to be the bad guy in the name of getting their kids home safely.
Seems like a good plan to me, but we all know this is an imperfect world we live in, and even the hippest, trendiest of code words may never be uttered. In this case, it’s good habits that can give you the edge. Make sure your kids are in the habit of wearing a seat belt every time they’re in the car. Their friends may not think it’s cool, but safety ain’t jelly shoes. Pair this staple habit with the accessory of enough confidence to put it on even when their best friend is chiding them. That’s a tool that will help them succeed in life outside the car as well.
Trends — in addition to plain common sense — tell us that cars and teens are a risky combination, but setting down firm ground rules can do a lot to increase your teen’s chances of navigating these years safely. While being a cool, slacker parent may be tempting, it’s kind of like the resurgence of ‘80s fashion: It’s a trend you’re going to want to sit out.
User Comments
And the best thing about the internet is that it doesn’t get all bent out of shape when you don’t take it’s advice!
Being a soon to be father (5 Wks) there are many questions that my wife and I have. Having experienced individuals to bounce those off of his huge for us. We are in a new area with out much time to attend physical get togathers such as those put on by hospitals.
However there is a large amount of online support that you can find. We have signed up for several websites focused on sharing experiences. Our favorite right now is http://www.ourbabysteps.com because it is not focused on just mothers but fathers as well. Being a new dad I have a lot of questions I want answered and its good to be able to get the perspectives of both fathers and mothers. The internet is a great resource and it is helping us a lot in this area.