Question for Parents with teen drivers?

Question

My daughter has been a trouble child for quite some time. she has a history of drug usage, ran away from home and other things. She has, in the past year, shown a lot of improvement. She is off of the drugs, and finally trying in her school work. As a reward, I bought her a car....with one condition. I had a GPS tracking devise installed in it.

She flipped out, acusing me of "tracking her like an animal". I tried to explain to her that it was the only way I felt comfortable enough to have her driving around unsupervised (given her past). I also explained it was only going to be for a few months, until she proved that she could be responsible.

Do you think I am being unreasonable?

Would you install a tracking device in your teens car?

Answer 1

No you're not being unreasonable. The way I consider it, it's your car, you're just letting her drive it. So you can do whatever you want to the car.



If my child had a past like that I'd expect them to get a job and pay for their own car.



Your daughter should count herself lucky to have a mom like you, and not offended.

Answer 2

i'm not a parent but as a young person (22 yrs old) i thought i'd give my opinion. i'm normally very opposed to tracking devices and such especially for teenagers but i think you're being completely reasonable. first and foremost, you didn't try hiding it from your daughter. you were honest with her about your expectations and why you felt the gps is necessary. even though she has cleaned up her act, her previous actions make it so that you need some more time to trust her and i don't blame you at all. her having access to a car obviously gives her a lot more access to the stuff that was getting her into trouble in the first place.

you're being very fair giving her a little more freedom but still keeping her under your watch. if i were in your position i would not budge on this. pick a certain amount of time you will keep the gps in the car, whether that be 2 months or a year, and if she doesn't like it she can feel free to not use the car.

and i don't know much about technology but be sure there's no way she can take the gps out or mess with it at all to try to get away with anything sneaky.

good luck!! in 5 or 10 years your daughter will thank you for caring about her well-being and realize that you were just trying to protect her.

Answer 3

I don't have a teenager, but I think since she has got herself into so much trouble in the past she should be watched. Of course no one wants to feel like someone is hanging over there shoulder 24/7 or asking them numerous questions everytime they go out. The gps is a good way to find out where she is but at the same time it won't tell you who she is with and were she is going. It would be better for you to communicate with your daughter let her know you are glad she is on the right path and you are proud of her. If you are to pushy she could rebel again. Communication is the key and the gps is helpful weather she likes it or not. After her past you still went and bought her a car most parents wouldnt be that generous. Stay strong you are a great parent even though she may not think so at the moment she will learn and grow from it.

Answer 4

I'm not sure how long she's been on good behavior but I don't think that buying her a car is a good way to get on her good side. I think that you should spend more personal time together as a family and build your trust there first, especially if she's been doing drugs and/or alcohol (behind the wheel). I do not think that a tracking device is unreasonable but again I think a car is big step. You can have the tracking device on as long as you feel its necessary. Stick to what you say and mean it. It's great she's making progress. If she doesn't agree to the device, then obviously she doesn't need the car that bad. Everyone in Europe walks or takes the metro, she can too!! Set guidelines and again in the end getting closer and helping her to be responsible will help her be productive in society and other people will thank you for a daughter that shows respect, and compassion.

Answer 5

Well, with her history I can understand. Why did you tell her? haha. I wouldn't have minded a tracking device, because i knew i wouldn't go anywhere that would raise suspicion. I see where you are coming from, and i don't think it is unreasonable. You are now starting to gain her trust. With the device on for a while, maybe you can be able to fully trust her and have it removed.



If i had a teen that drove, i would only place the tracking system in there if my child gave me any reason to doubt them, such as your child's past. But I don't think i would if they don't do anything to make me lose trust.

Answer 6

My 17 and 15 year olds wouldn't care a bit if it had a GPS tracking device in it!!! Unless she has something to hide she shouldn't care at all about it.



Also that can be a life saver in case of an emergency! Point out that to her so she understands her safety is the number one priority here.

Answer 7

I think shes lucky you even trust her enough to buy a car for her considering her past. and having her own car will make it much easer for her to get into trouble, she should be completly understanding and be more than happy to take the deal, it seems the only reason she wouldnt be is if she wanted to go somewhere she wasnt suposed to. I dont think you should ever take the gps out of the car and if she has a problem with it she can buy her own or go with out.

Answer 8

i would install one just for the fact that this world is turning into a living he1l anyways..not that u have to track her all the time..but u never know when there might be an emergency..what if the car breaks down and she's not to sure where she is located...u can track it and get there b4 and sick-o takes the advantage to stop and help her...i think u would be doing the right thing..and explain to her it's not just cause of the past experience..u just never know what can happen...honestly

Answer 9

well i guess it would be an idea but really why would you pay for a service every month id rather just install one of those tracking gps you can tell where they went the time they went there the mph they were going, then you don't have to believe other peoples plus that seems a little hypocritical, cuz we all drive like morons sometimes (well at least here in michigan) otherwise you get run over..

Answer 10

No, you are not being unreasonable. She should be thankful that you bought her a car. Stick to your guns and she will come around.

I commend you for having the courage to get a vehicle with GPS. I wish more parents would take an active stance with their teenage children

Answer 11

Sounds like your daughter is much like I was as a teenager..



You are NOT being unreasonable.



Absolutely, I would even if they weren't in trouble before!



She should be grateful, my parents wouldn't let me "make up" for what I did (I even had a 4.0 by the time it was all over with), I was 18 before i got my drivers license (oh it didnt kill me either.. i survived just fine) and looking back I do not blame them one bit!

Answer 12

i think you are doing the right thing and she needs to understand that its for her own good and that by the way she acted before was bad and she earned what she is getting and if she dont want you to be tracking her than i would take the car away

Answer 13

If my parents bought be a car, I'd be happy to take it; tracking device installed or not.



If she's not going anywhere to get in trouble, she shouldn't worry about it.

Answer 14

i do not think that your being unreasonable at all. im 16 and if my parents did that i wouldnt even bat an eyelash since i know i am not doing any thing wrong, hence i have nothing to hide let them track me all they want.

Answer 15

if my parents were gonna buy me a car hell ya they could put that in my car...if i was ever caught w/ drugs at my parents house there is no way i would see the light of day til i was 30

i had to pay for my car on my own when i started driving



i think you need to tell her fine no car then its her lose!

Answer 16

In that situation I believe that you are right in wanting to make sure she is okay, especially with her past. But if she was an all around good student and didn't have any past problems like that, I would think you are being ridiculous.

Answer 17

i mean if this was my mom she wouldn't even allow me to get my license yet

but the tracking device is a good idea