I Just Saved $155 on My Car Insurance!

Sounds like an old radio commercial, but it's true.  My son just took the TeenSmart course, passed, and my insurance company gave us a discount. But more important than the savings is the course claims to reduce the chance of your teen getting into an accident.  Statistically, teens are more likly to be involved in accidents than any other age group. The course involves parents and teen viewing some videos, teen doing computer-based training, and hands-on driving with the parent.  The course can be completed over about a month's time and covers critical crash factors such as visual search, detecting hazards, perceiving risks, adjusting speed, managing space, and risky lifestyles. I highly recommend the course for teens and parents.

Prepare: Teenage Driver

My 16-year-old son just got his driver's license. He's had his learner's permit for over a year and passed driver's education at school. He never scared me when he was driving with me in the car. Basically, I think he's a good driver, but it's the other drivers that I don't trust. I've told him "just watch out for the other guy." Besides watching out for the other drivers on the road, I was concerend about the distractions inside the car. So, I found a teenage driving contract that covers other driving rules. We reviewed the contract together and he signed it. The contract covers issues like speeding, loud music, phone usage, alcohol, drugs, number of passengers, etc. You can download it for free here: www.parentingteendrivers.com.

Pennies from Heaven

Not too many people pick up pennies these days, but I still do. I remember the saying “Find a penny, pick it up, all the day have good luck,” but that was only if it was heads up. The other day, I received an email about a wealthy man who picked up pennies. He said since each one carries the phrase “In God We Trust,” it was a reminder that God is always there. I’ve heard of people who think it’s a sign from their deceased loved one reminding them that they’re around. My brother used to turn over the tails-up pennies that he found for the next person to find for good luck. On the evening that I heard these stories, I was at home turning on our PC controller (which is on the floor) and found a penny next to it--heads up. I think that was a reminder from my departed brother. If it was face down, I would have had to turn it over.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I’ve discovered a new "old-fashioned" way to bond with my 15-year-old son. We’ve been watching Christmas shows and movies on TV each night. I sacrificed watching my father’s favorite “Charlie Brown’s Christmas” to watch “Santa Clause II”, but spending time laughing together was priceless. Our family (all three of us) ended up watching “Elf” on TV even though halfway through we realized we have it on DVD. I think we enjoyed talking through the commercials. Other good Christmas movies we’ve spent time together seeing: “The Santa Clause”, “The Ultimate Christmas Present”, and “Christmas Vacation”. I wonder what we’ll see tonight. It’s his choice.

Ode to Mark

Guitars. Kid Rock. Collective Soul. Grimaldi’s chocolate covered potato chips. Adirondack chairs. Outback. These were a few of Mark’s favorite things. Now that he’s gone, they bring tears to my eyes. He was a good brother and friend to me. Mark was talented. He could turn wood and nails into anything. He once built a spiral staircase and told me he never had to use math so much as he did then. He could play guitar by ear and it sounded like he was reading music. He loved music, especially rock. He was generous. He practically gave away his last work van. He was funny. He could do impressions of friends and famous people. He could tell a story and make anyone laugh. He was a good father. He took his boys to the movies, the flea market or to the park while his wife studied. Mark was a quiet, sensitive man with a big heart. I will miss our hour-long phone calls. Rest in peace brother.