If you’re the parent of a teenager, then teaching him or her the value of responsibility should be one of your biggest objectives.

If your teen has just got his driver licence and is going out to buy his first car, for example, it’s very important to make sure that he understands the duties that are now being placed on his shoulders.

Fortunately for you, these helpful tips can make teaching him responsibility a much easier and more realistic process.

1) Set a good example

If you want your child to be responsible, then you have to be responsible yourself. Be a good role model for your teen. Show him what it means to be a safe driver and to take proper care of your vehicle. Keep a maintenance checklist for your car. Teach him about basic auto maintenance and be sure he sees you following your own advice all of the time. When you take him for a drive in your car, never participate in distracted driving. Never go beyond the speed limit. If he sees you being responsible and careful in your day-to-day life, it may encourage him to do the same.

2) Enable him to make choices

Choices are a significant aspect of life for everyone. If you want your teen to be a responsible adult who is always accountable for his own actions, teach him that good choices are the foundation of success. If you want him to learn responsibility, ask him to participate in big choices that affect the entire household. If you need to purchase a new refrigerator, for example, ask your teen to accompany you to the store. If he participates in the important decision-making process with you, he’ll learn about responsibility and about how his choices can have lasting effects.

3) Give him consequences

If you want your child to be a responsible individual, make sure he understands that there are negative consequences in life. If your teen doesn’t listen to you when you tell him to drive safely on the road, show him consequences by refraining from giving him spending money for an upcoming night out at the movies with his friends, for example. If you do this, your teen will quickly learn that he needs to be accountable and that life isn’t about just doing anything he wants all of the time.

4) Talk to him about establishing goals

Encourage responsibility in your teen by discussing life objectives and aspirations with him. If he admits to you that he wants to take on a certain vocation, assist him by writing out what he needs to do to attain that specific career. Write out what educational path he may need to pursue, for example. Write out what other forms of training may be necessary for him. Just make sure he understands fully, however, that no one else can ensure his future successes better than he can. Success in life is all about understanding the importance of responsibility. If your child learns responsibility, then he’ll indeed be able to use a car on his own.

Do you have any other tips to add to this list to help teenagers to be responsible drivers? Please share in the comments below.

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