I'm cleaning up loads of computer files before migrating to my next generation computer. Among them I found a contract I wrote for my then very-nearly 16 year old daughter when she wanted to buy a car. I got very nostalgic while reading it, as we rarely see parents take the time to help their children fully understand their responsibilities before assuming them, or taking on what they assume those responsibilities are . . . Rights and Privileges Rights are something which cannot be taken from you without violating the laws of this country. You have a right to food, drink and shelter. That does not mean ice cream, soda and a nice bedroom. At a bare minimum it means keeping you alive. Privileges are everything that extends beyond your most basic of rights. Therefore, ice cream, soda and a nice bedroom are privileges. Regarding everything you own and everything you do, until you are both 18 years of age and no longer living under our roof, we are legally responsible for your actions and have the right to enforce our rules, including the suspension/revocation of whatever privileges you may have. Driving Privileges Having a driver’s license and driving a car are privileges, not rights. Any privilege has to be earned and it must be earned on a continuing basis. This means that driving privileges may be revoked due to an infraction of the following rules: Breaking the driving laws or abusing a motor vehicle can result in the loss of driving privileges, even if we learn about it from a source other than the police. You never know who may be observing you. You will strive to maintain the grades, conduct and attitude at the standard set for you in order to maintain your driving privileges. No one else should be allowed to drive a vehicle entrusted to you. This means you may not lend a vehicle to friends. Anyone in the car who is required, either by us or by law, to wear their seat belt must do so. If you are ever in a condition that might render you less than 100% competent behind the wheel of a car, phone us. We will come get you. This will not result in the loss of your driving privileges. You are never to be a passenger in a car in which the driver should not be driving. A call to come get you will not result in the loss of driving privileges. If you cannot reach us, call a taxi. We will pay for it and there will be no punishment. A Car of One’s Own Having a car is not only a privilege - it is an enormous responsibility. Among those responsibilities are the following: Paying for the car on time and completely. Missing payments on a car or failing to pay for repairs is shirking your financial responsibility and is unacceptable. Keeping the car insured to the same liability limits we insure ours to. Paying for the fuel you use in the car. This will encourage you to not drive unnecessarily and wastefully. Parking the car where you are required to. This will make sure others have enough room to park and turn around in our driveway. Keeping the car safe (good tires, brakes, lights, mirrors, seat belts, etc.). This will ensure that you and any passengers you may be carrying are safe and that, when inspection time comes, you won’t have to spend a lot of money all at once to get it inspected. Keeping the car in good running condition (fluid/filter changes, engine tune ups, etc.). This will make your car last longer so that you will have saved more money for your next one when you truly need it. It will also help you sell the older car for more money when the time comes. Failure to fulfill all of the above responsibilities may result in the loss of the privilege of driving a car of your own until all of the above are met. If you lose the privilege of driving your own car, you will also lose the privilege of driving any other car. This ensures that you will not abandon a decaying car in our driveway while you drive someone else’s. By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read, understood and agreed to all of the above terms and conditions. _______________________________________ Name _______________________________________ Date Over 10 years later she seems to have done quite well with both her cars and her driving. I'm curious . . . Was I crushing it, or was I crushing her?
