Despite our super hero aura, we working parents are mere humans. Still, if I had to choose one super power, I’d pick the ability to be in two places at once. Between job schedules, errands, and familial obligations, my life would be so much easier if only I could somehow physically co-locate myself.

But, until some evil genius develops this ability, I’ll have to keep relying on Plan B – granting my child permission to drive. Despite watching a large chunk of my hard-earned paycheck go towards financing my auto insurance rep’s vacation to Hawaii, having an additional driver in the house has proven to be an indispensable tool in my plate-spinning arsenal.

While ushering my two older boys into the licensed population, I rode shotgun on my fair share of white-knuckled excursions. When my life was not flashing before my eyes, I managed to jot down the following pointers:

1. Driver’s Ed – Public School or Private Company?

In most communities, there are two driver’s education venues – public school curriculum or private companies. Compared to private instruction, taking it through their high school may not necessarily be a money-saver, but here are a few things to consider:

•The duration of the program – most states’ requirements for new drivers cannot be crammed into a six-week long program offered by many private companies, but fit nicely within the confines of a semester-long schedule.

•The timing of the program – if your child is involved in any sports or other extracurricular activities, taking driver’s ed during their school day – instead of after school or on the weekends, may work best. If your child balks about having to take driver’s ed during the school day, remind them that it might just get them out of taking PE.

Note: Whichever venue you choose, you are still on the hook for helping them meet your state’s minimum drive time requirement prior to obtaining their license. If you play your cards right, this could take years.

2. Deflect Attention

You’ve seen them – cars with “student driver” stickers plastered on the rear window. As if it’s not embarrassing enough for them to make 37-point turns or come to a hard stop 12 feet before they get to the stop sign, why humiliate them further by advertising the obvious to surrounding, possibly hostile, drivers? The level of tension in the front seat is already escalated enough without it. As such, ditch any “student driver” sticker you were planning to affix to your rear window.

3. Mind Your Reflexes

How you react during practice drives will have a major impact on your student driver, affecting not only their self-esteem, but your safety as well.

Whether they are nervous and skittish or overly confident and careless, just remember:
•Stomping on an invisible passenger-side brake will not make the car stop any faster.
•What sounds like words of encouragement to you (e.g., “slow down”, stay off the shoulder”, and “garbage cans aren’t for target practice”) can sound like screaming to your child.

4. Drive the Talk

The key to producing a safe driver is modeling safe driving techniques. Aside from the usual no-no’s – texting, eating or reading the paper while you’re driving, proper technique is just as important. The last thing you want is a dirty look from your child’s driving instructor after hearing that you taught them how to bank a turn using nothing but the palm of one hand or even an elbow.

And there you have it. Good luck and Godspeed (just remember to stay within the posted limit).