Welcome to "Hey Mom and Dad"—a weekly feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on parenting. Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked parents the week before on Patch Facebook pages from around the area.
Is there anything more harrowing than the day when you first hand over the keys to your brand-new teen driver, the same one who it seems like just yesterday was still biking with training wheels? It's not uncommon for parents to set some restrictions on their newly-minted leadfoots, so we took to our Facebook pages to find out what the laws on this are in some west-suburban households. Which brings us to this week's question:
What new rules do you have for your new teen drivers, and how do you enforce them?
Take a look at what people had to say and join the conversation in the comments section.
Heather H. My daugher gets her license in 2 months. I am now seeing teens driving only a week on a new license with several teens in their car. My daughter was put in that situation last week. I did not realize this until she had been picked up. I am not happy that the kids parents allowed him to do this expecially with only one week under his belt. My daughter will only be allowed to drive with one teen. If caught with cell phone usage (text or talking) both privleges will be taken away for at least a month. I am really nervous about turning the car over to her with all the teen car accidents lately!via Plainfield Patch Facebook
Lizabeth L. You can talk to them all you want, but at the end of the day they will mostly do what they saw growing up and are influence by now. So parents- wear a seatbelt, don't text and drive, never drink and drive, and they will get something more valuable than a talk. via Joliet Patch Facebook
Lisa P. State law says only one passenger, unless it's a family member. Our rules are call when you get there, no phone or texting, and grades must be kept up. The rest is just practice with distances. via Oswego Patch Facebook
Marcy M. Your parents can take your license away at any time... it's a privilege, not mandatory. AND just because your 16 and have a permit does not mean you get a license. Act the way you want to be treated....RESPONSIBLE! via Bolingbrook Patch Facebook
So what's your take? Tell us in the comments.