My Son Almost 16Teen!!!!!!

I would calmly tell him your worries, but then don't hover over him and call him on his cell and bug him too much. I think it's normal to worry, but you're right, he's got to grow up sometime. Mom breathing down his throat or making him nervous won't help. Just remind him to be careful, think smart (drinking/driving/peer pressure from friends), be her sweet boy.

Take TEXTING OFF his phone, or remind him of the consequences of texting while driving. I heard of an application you can download onto phones (don't remember what it's called) where if the phone is traveling more than 5mph, the phone becomes inoperable. Here are a couple of links I found for that download/software:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,480585,00.html
and
http://www.gizmag.com/txtblocker-disable-texting-driving/...

You're normal.

But you have to have rules, for him about driving. Sit down with your Hubby, you and him.. and have a "talk" about it all. Making sure he understands, and make rules of the road, and curfews etc.

Driving/having his own truck, is a privilege. So make sure he understands that.

And, if having other kids in his car... well, the other parents might be nervous TOO, about his driving... and accidents that may occur. So, there are many scenarios about the whole thing. Make sure, that your son KNOWS, that when other kids are in his truck with him driving... that these are the kids of other Moms and Dads too... to instill some kind of sense of responsibility in him. That is a BIG responsibility....

And, teach him NO picking up hitchhikers or giving strangers rides. There are so many child predators out there... you can never be too sure.

Make sure, you all sit down, and have a discussion about it, and your expectations and rules. AND, that school and his grades don't suffer....

Have him take driving class lessons too. This is required in some states. ANd so that he knows how to drive in certain weather conditions.
Make sure he knows how to change a flat tire, or who/where to call for help.

All the best,
Susan

This is totally ok and natural to worry about your son. It just shows your a good mother and you love your child. But like you said they have to grow up sometime and you have to trust that your raised him right and TRUST that he will do the right thing. That's all you can do cause we both know we can't be there 24/7 to watch over them even though we wish we could be. Good luck sweety :)

Updated

This is totally ok and natural to worry about your son. It just shows your a good mother and you love your child. But like you said they have to grow up sometime and you have to trust that your raised him right and TRUST that he will do the right thing. That's all you can do cause we both know we can't be there 24/7 to watch over them even though we wish we could be. Good luck sweety :)

Just make sure you sit down with him and talk about the family rules when it comes to driving - whether that means no friends, no more than two, etc. AND the responsbilities of driving. Make sure to include the consequences of poor decisions and/or breaking the rules. Stick to them.
Driving is a priviledge, NOT a right!

If I were in your shoes, I'd talk about these and after 3, 4, 6 months or whatever you determine, see how he is doing and go from there. If he is following rules and being respectful of his priviledge, then let him drive with a friend, etc. Reward him for showing responsibility. Just because his friends all have cars and drive and get to do this or that doesnt' mean you have to let him. REGARDLESS if that makes it seem like you are the "bad guy".

There needs to be respect on BOTH sides of the table!

My parents didn't let me and my brother drive without a parent in the car for 6 months after getting our licenses. This was to gain experience driving but in a more "controlled" situation. My brothter and I are very good drivers, not sure if it was because of this but it must have helped. (We are in our early 30's now).

I know you are from Indiana, but OH has laws about how many teenagers can be in a car. There are too many teenage driving fatalities. They get so distracted by this new freedom, the music, the friends, and now, the cell phones and texting.... add inexperience to the mix and it is a dangerous combination.

So I think that as a parent you need to set the limits you are comfortable with. After all, he is still a minor. He needs to see driving as a right, not a priviledge, and obey your rules.

It's totally natural to worry about your son. As others have suggested, set boundaries. Your son might be an excellent driver with you...but he is STILL a teenager. Teenagers are generally not known for their superb decision making skills.

Frankly, both my husband and I find it hard to believe that, as a society, we let 16 year olds drive cars. Our daughters will not be driving at 16. My husband is from Europe and you can't even get a license until you're 18. Anyway, we understand that each family has to make their own decisions.

But, driving is a privileged and HUGE responsibility. You are not only responsible for yourself and anyone in the car with you, but also for others on the road. Driving is one of those things where YOUR mistake CAN affect other people in a very serious way. So...boundaries boundaries boundaries. And consequences. In my opinion, driving for teenagers is one of those things where there are no second chances. You mess up once you loose your driving rights for awhile. That's it.

Also, I don't know what the laws are here in Ohio, but we just recently moved down from Michigan. I know at 16 you CAN'T drive with friends who are under 18. If you have someone in the car, then someone HAS to be 18 years old. Otherwise, you drive alone. So, make sure you know what the state laws are pertaining to having passengers and being a passenger. I would also make it a rule that there is NO cell phone talking while driving.

Set the rules. Sure, they may be hard to enforce, and much of it will be on a trust thing...but that's the rub. If you DO find he has broken the trust...then he has not only broken the rules...but lost your trust. That's a big deal and should have big consequences.

Anyway...that's my 2 cents.

Your still the parent. Set boundaries for him. Hours he can drive. Maybe only so many kids in the car until he is more experienced. Some states have laws on how many kids can be in a car with a 16 or 17 year old. It is natural to worry. But you can help him make safe decisions by setting guidelines for him upfront. A car is a huge responsibility. He needs to understand that.