LATINAWOMAN's Blog

I dont agree,I know times have changed ., but I started driving at 16. I was still going to high school and had a job for a few hours 5 days a week. It helped pay for the bell bottoms that were in style and my mom couldnt afford. I got $200.00 when I graduated to help toward buying my own car. I was a different kind of kid because back in those days it was legal and almost mandatory to cruise on Van Nuys blvd on Wednesday nights.
I preferred the mountains. I dont like crowds and the peace and calm I got from driving through the mountains felt good, Not to mention learning the technique oftaking those curves at a higher rate of speed than posted, slowing into the curve then speeding out.
I worked from the day I got out of school paid room and board, car payments and insurance.
I never had a problem with driving.
I dont know if things come too easy to kids now or what? I'm sure they must realize that they will be without a car if they wreck theirs, that its illegal to street race or cruise. I think that if they spend time with their parents talking with them sharing ideas and thoughts and feelings and just enjoy being with each other, it is helpful.
I love my boys and all their friends are welcome in our house, which can be quite full on the weekend. I am amazed at how the kids react when I sit down and just have normal conversations with them, I guess they are not used to that, mostly they get talked at and just brief what to do and what not to do's.
I'm amazed because I guess so many kids are like a separate group. there are the parents then the kids not just a family

Actually I am a mother. Some of what I had written got excluded. I made it very clear to my boys that they should never get into a car with someone who had been drinking, and though they were too young (under 21) at the time if they did have something to drink to just stay put or call me and I would pick them up anytime from anywhere. My boys are 22 and 20 years of age, both are responsible for their ages, and I have taken my eldest to a couple of parties because he and his friend planned to drink that way whe they were ready they would just call me to go get them. My youngest doesnt care to drink, he doesnt like the taste or how it makes him feel.
I'm not tootin my own horn here, I just think that it helps a lot if your kids feel they are loved, feel free to talk to you without being criticised.,and most importantly that they know you are behind them 100 percent (of course they have to earn that respect) I am very fortunate and I count my blessings every day. Their dad is a good man and has always been there for them also, and he made it possible for me to be able to be a stay at home mom so I could take them to the schools I was more comfortable with, and volunteer for field trips, and libraries during lunch and help in the classrooms, I even set up an aquarium for one teacher and taught her how to care for it. I guess she still has it in her classroom. I always wished my own mother could be with me but she had to work and I missed her every day. I am sure all of this combined is what has helped my kids make the choices they have, I have always approved of there choices

we should just ban booze. it brings out the worst in people. it helps cause rape, death, and addiction.

as for the teenagers driving drunk. i don't have a problem with that at all. i hope everyone of them dies. if they are dumb enough to drive drunk, then they i hope they die, or be crippled for life. the only people i do feel sorry for are the innocent people they hit. i have no sympathy at all for dumb teenage drunk drivers.

WELL SAID thornyone ! YOU SOUND LIKE AGREAT MOTHER AND PERSON . I SURELY DO NOT AGREE WITH samo714 , I DO NOT WISH DEATH ON ANYONE , AND TO BE HONEST samo714's comment is truly a sad one . TOO BAD ...AND OFCOURSE IT IS ALWAYS HORRIFIC WHEN AN INNOCENT PERSON IS KILLED BY A DRUNK DRIVER .

HELLO memoryjoe , ALL WE CAN DO IS , AS YOU PUT IT ; DRILL INTO THEIR HEADS OVER AND OVER ABOUT THE DANGERS OF DRINKING AND DRIVING . I TOO KNOW ABOUT HOW KIDS SEEM TO DO THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT WE TEACH THEM , BUT WE CAN NEVER GIVE UP ! I JUST THINK SOME OF THESE KIDS ARE SPOILED AND OUT OF CONTROL .

I think before parents allow their son or daughter to drive they must teach them responsibility. Parents should teach their child: that they are responsible for their own safety, their passengers safety and the communities safety. Parents should teach them the dangers of drinking and driving. They must teach them that a motor vehicle is not a toy. It is a deadly weapon that can kill innocent people if not used properly. Some parents just put their little Mary or Billy in a car because they think its time for them to drive when they turn sixteen. My children were not permitted to drive until they turned eighteen years old. I drilled into them the dangers of drinking and driving. Playing in the car with friends, showing off. I could not stress enough the dangers of the road. Driver's Ed is not enough. Parents should pay attention to their childs level of maturity. Is Billy or Mary responsible enough to drive a car? Can I trust my child to do the right thing when I'm not around? Parents should invest in the tracking device available to them now. I feel stronger laws are needed to deter drinking and driving. I think the driving age should change to eighteen. Perhaps some teens that have died would have graduated if they had not been permitted to drive before the age of eighteen. Prayer is good for parents. Just remember to say thank you lord for this child getting home safely. God knows I did. You can teach them but, we can only hope they are listening.

hell no booze shouldne be banned. Samo714, ur crazy. its been done and undone.

we should have breathalizers in the vehicles. Like in the movie 40-year-old virgin. i thought it was a nice idea. :)

Latinawoman, I think its a combination of parents not involved enough and the teens social pressures and groups.American kids have a plenty of freedom that is being exploited by them.The goverment needs to put more rtestrictions on teen drivers, example al teens from the ages of 16 through 20 should have a device installed,inspected and passed by the DMV that does not allow the car to go beyond the spped limit.Another device that does not allow the car to operate unless the driver blows into a breathalizer should be emplemented for the same age group or repeat offenders. These laws could and I'm sure would save countless lives for generations to come.Till then teach your children well and hold them close to you before your unable to hold then at all!

Let's say a cop comes and pulls you over,
say 'Hello Officer' and tell him to bend over,
if he asks 'Why?' say 'There's no need to ask!'
just take your beer bottle and shove it up his ass!

They say that if you drink and you drive that you lose,
sure, that's the case if you can't handle your booze,
let's get some alcohol and fill up the trunk,
are you ready kids? it's time to Drive Drunk!

The law says you can't have open beer in your car,
well if that's the case than just get drunk at the bar,
the chances are that you'll still be alive,
if you stumble to your car and go out for a drive!

Forty ounce, slammin' shots, starting a fight!
Drinking, and puking, and staying out all night!
Don't drink wine coolers, drink something with balls!
Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, some REAL alcohol!


kids this days just can't hadle it!

I am so glad you wrote this. Taking action is the key. Just like the concert fundraiser for MADD coming up in Redondo Beach. There are all teenagers who are wanting to make a difference. The emcee is a 15 year old Teen Actor. Even the Co-Producer is a 17 year old from New Jersey. What I ca not figure is why the media has not covered this great event for a wonderful cause. Why the media is so caught up in what one person has done, yet having 2 former Americas Most Talented Kids, 1 former Star Search, one phenominal young girl who is on the verge of being a great singer, all of these kids want to make a difference. But have you heard any reports about the event? I really do not understand. How do I know about the media not answering phone calls, because I am the producer. Not well known with no connections in the media.
I really appreciate your blog. The very least I have my frustrations out.