Anyone who has a teen knows communication isn’t easy! But there are some strategies you can use to help make your practice driving sessions less stressful and for your teen to get the most of out them.

• Keep calm
• Don’t raise your voice
• Use “I” statements. For example, Instead of saying, “You need to slow down” say “When I’m driving I like to look for brake lights a few cars ahead so I know when I need to slow down”
• Give positive reinforcement. For example, give a thumbs up or say something like, “That was a really smooth turn you made”
• Don’t talk too much. (Sometimes saying nothing is best.)
• Use humor.
• Think a few steps ahead and tell your teen what to expect so they are prepared in advance. For example, “I need you to change lanes when you can because at the second light you will be turning right.”