On my 17th birthday, I stepped out of the DMV, squinting in the late November sun as I searched for my mom. She was waiting in the car after I took my long-awaited written driver’s test. Having passed the road test—yes, I could parallel park!—the written exam was the last hurdle between me and the freedom of the open road on Friday nights in my small town. I studied harder for that test than for any school subject because I was desperate to drive. My efforts paid off, and on that significant birthday, I passed with flying colors.
As I hopped into our old, clunky station wagon, bubbling with excitement, my mom handed me a small, wrapped box. I eagerly tore off the bow and paper, revealing a set of car keys nestled on a cushion of cotton. I shrieked in delight, convinced a new car awaited me at home. But my mom, with a bemused smile, said, “Honey, those are the keys to my station wagon. You’re welcome to borrow it anytime!” Talk about a birthday buzzkill.
Thus began my adventures behind the wheel of my mom’s beat-up station wagon, driving my brother and me to school and cruising the backroads of our quiet town. If I was lucky enough to borrow it on a Saturday night, I parked that behemoth between my friends’ shiny new sports cars at the movie theater. Nothing screams “cool” like arriving at a school dance in the family wagon.
High school was a cringeworthy time for me in many ways. Although my parents eventually helped me buy a new car when I headed to college, their support had limits. They slipped the payment book into my graduation card along with a note of congratulations and a few hundred bucks to get me started. At the time, I thought my parents weren’t great at giving big birthday gifts.
When I faced the reality of paying rent, car payments, and insurance, financial burdens weighed heavily on me. I had to adjust my spending habits, often feeling queasy when checking my bank account, fearing it might dip below zero every time a check cleared. But the day I called the bank for the final payment amount, I felt like a true adult. Sure, I still struggled with budgeting in my 20s, but my parents imparted a vital lesson: big purchases aren’t just handed to you at 16. You have to earn them and appreciate them.
Now, as my son approaches his Sweet 16, he’s about to learn the same lesson from his father and me. We’ve had candid conversations about how he won’t be getting a shiny new set of wheels to drive out of our driveway on weekends. We’ve made it clear that we won’t be financing his driving adventures but that he’s welcome to borrow our family vehicles for dates or outings.
While we won’t be buying him a car, we’re assisting him in mapping out a savings plan to buy his own. We’ve taught him about saving money and discussed suitable odd jobs for his age. We’ve encouraged him to consider getting a part-time job when he’s old enough, emphasizing that while having a car is fun, it’s not essential. We’ve also made it clear that his schoolwork takes precedence over any money-making schemes. After all, no need for a car if you’re not driving to college, right? #sorrynotsorry
Our decision not to buy our son a car isn’t rooted solely in my teenage experience. While I do appreciate the lesson my parents taught me about financial responsibility, it’s also about challenging the instant-gratification mindset prevalent today. Kids today are accustomed to instant access—whether it’s information or products. They’re part of Generation One-Click, with the world at their fingertips. Gone are the days of eagerly waiting for a phone call or a favorite song to air on the radio. Kids today don’t experience the thrill of anticipation because Amazon’s two-day shipping has changed everything.
When my son finally passes his driver’s test, he’ll receive a set of keys to our family cars. The only new vehicle waiting for him will be one he buys himself. If it takes him until he’s 26 to afford new wheels, so be it. I’ll be just fine not having to throw on my pajamas on a Saturday night to pick him up in our family truckster. Sharing is caring, right?
Conclusion
In conclusion, as parents, it’s crucial to instill financial responsibility in our children. Preparing them for the future means teaching them the value of hard work and saving, rather than handing everything to them on a silver platter.
Keyphrase: Teaching Financial Responsibility to Teens
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