Geez, Mom, I'm old enough to drive, why can't I date?? I was sitting at the kitchen table contemplating that question as I signed the Driver's Ed log for my teenage son. I was about to promise the world with my parental signature that my son had in fact driven these required hours with me in the car. Yes, I had spent a good number of those hours gripping the passenger door handle and biting my tongue. Occasionally I had blurted out some vital warning to save us from a fender-bender, like "Dude! Truck!"

He had been driving with a permit for just over a year and was actually doing quite well now. His torqued response to my less-than-subtle correction was always the same: "Mom, I know what I'm doing!" Really? Then why is my tongue bleeding?

Eventually I agreed. He did know how to drive. I had been sitting right there in the passenger's seat, watching, worrying, and teaching him. At this very moment, if he had to drive me to the store, I could calmly ride along and look at the scenery. But dating? You want me to hand over the keys to dating? That's another story.

How on earth do I sign off on his lack of education? What if my son takes corners too sharply or doesn't see the person in his blind spot while he's dating? Why do teens have to log hours with their parents before they can drive unaccompanied, but at some magic age we give them the thumbs up to date with no experience whatsoever? I don't get to ride along as he's hugging turns and I'm left standing, coughing, and worrying in the dust. Where does this little spark-plug think he will get his dating practice anyway? Is my teen even entitled to a "dating permit"? Wait a minute... maybe the state has given me a way to "license" my kid...

Why don't I just use the Driver's Ed system to teach my kids how to keep from hitting the concrete wall of a dating disaster? Hmmmm.....

Learn how to shift gears if a teen is Dating Under the Influence. Recognize dating Emergencies and Hazards. Turn common street signs into dating lessons. Endorse a qualified Dating Instructor and assemble a Pit Crew to keep your teen from crashing and burning.

Joseph Schmidt, Headmaster of Seabury Hall, Hawaii writes,

"This book is a wonderful "Instruction Manual" for parents who are facing that difficult moment in their lives as parents when their child decides that it is time to date." (Seabury Hall 1108.pdf)

Wendy Patton, Speaker/Author, Clarkston, MI emails,

"I just read your book last week on the plane — it was GREAT! Very good and I really like the analogies throughout on driving. It was very good." (Wendy Patton)

Judy W., parent, wrote,

"Can't recall when I have read a more delightful how-to, how not to book served generously with huge dollops of well-dones and you-can-do-its. Just when we think that no one is writing anything new and fresh, along comes this fresh and refreshing look at the world of teen dating. You have traversed this mine field with dexterity and clarity and above all with laugh out lout wit and humor. Thank you so much. Love the content, love your writing style"

Tell me your story!  Lisa@DatersEd.com