Having My Own Responsible, Trustworthy 25 Year-Old Son And A 17 5/6 Year-Old Daughter, I’d Be Less Concerned About A Ruined Car Tire Or Car And Having It Paid And More Concerned About The Child’s Behavior.
I’d wonder what else I couldn’t trust the child with doing/not doing and when and what the next exposed episode will bring.
CSA
P.S. After the tires get replaced, make sure the steering wheel is “centered” (not askew like when turning it) when going straight on a flat, level, straight road.
Also, if you don’t already have one, talk to your insurance agent and buy a decent Personal Umbrella Insurance Policy until the boy is on his own. The next one could be the big one.
First, it’s a good sign that there was a confession. Fessin’ up is a sign of responsibility. It would have been better if the confession came first - but maybe that’s the next step. Please don’t berate or nag your son since doing so makes the memory painful. You want this behavior to expand.
The second part is do NOT make you son pay for it - again, the pain will blot out the good part of the memeory. Look at it as an investment in the future. He’s on the right track and just needs a bt of encouragement.
Hmmm. As parents its our job to provide roots and wings. Roots so they know where they came from and wings so that they can become independent. Most of the time we just never got caught.
Original poster back. Took the car to our reliable, honest mechanic and no serious damage, thank goodness! Just new tire and alignment needed. When I originally posted I really didn’t want it to be the teenage son and was looking for other possibilities. His dad, of course, immediately thought it was him. (Maybe that’s because he was once a teenaged boy?) I am posting a picture for those who are interested. Thanks to everyone for the feedback!
I would seriously question why the aligment is out due to the fact that things like camber and caster are often built in with toe being the only adjustable feature.
Any alignment tweaks needed may have only covered up an underlying problem. Just something for consideration. It would be interesting to know the specs on the printout.
" Dudes, who can get a car so we can cruise ? "
“My parents are sleeping, I’ll take mom’s”
…As he approaches, the two friends start pointing, laughing, and jeering…"DUDE, IT’S A PRIUS !!"
In haste and shame he hangs his head to hide while whipping around a quick u-turn to scurry out of sight before the laughing turns to public humiliation.
----it’s hard to see those curbs with tears welling up in your eyes and your head hung down below the steering wheel.
BAM, hits the curb.
“geez that’s all I need now” as he limps it home with his tail between his legs.
“I’ll just hid in my room till…Tueseday, maybe they won’t say anything cuz it’s parked just like it never was driven anywhere.”
;))
Maybe that could explain it ? …Do we give him an ‘‘embarrassment’’ break ?
;))