These Cookie Monster donuts are the cutest – and so much fun to make!
Ingredients
When your teen gets behind the wheel it can be a very scary, nervous time for parents – and no wonder. Teens crash 3x as often as drivers over 20 years old. But there are a few things you can do to that will put your mind at ease to help make your teen a better driver.
This post is sponsored by Classic Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Dealership.
Tip 1: Drive with them as much as possible
Studies show that young drivers who spend at least 110 hours of supervised driving before getting their license have a lesser chance of being in an accident. Make sure you practice with them as much as possible before they start driving alone.
Tip 2: Limit Passengers
If you remember being a teen – you know that having other kids in the car with your young driver can be distracting – adding additional risk. Talk to your kids about tuning out their friends while driving, or limiting the number of passengers they’re allowed to have in the car.
Tip 3: Talking about Texting
We know texting while driving is dangerous – and as much as you talk to your kids about it, some of them still do it. Ask them to be smart – use talk-to-text, have hands free answering set up, and you can even disable texts or apps being used in a moving vehicle (sometimes phones will also send an automated text stating the person is driving and will get back to them shortly).
Tip 4: Never Question Seat Belts
This should be a question – make sure that your kids automatically know, no matter if they sit up front or in the back, if they are driving or not – that seat belts are just a part of getting in the car ; before the car is started, before the lights turned on, make sure everyone (not only themselves but their passengers) are buckled up!
Tip 5: Offer to be the Mom Taxi – For all of Eternity
If your kids know that they can call Mom & Dad for a ride – no matter what the time – better decisions are mad. We tell them not to drink and drive, so we need to give them a way out. Even if they aren’t drinking there can be other situations that maybe their driver is, or they don’t feel comfortable. My kids know that no matter what they can call me and I will come get them. No questions asked, no punishment. They know no matter what, I just want them to make it home safe and sound.
Tip 6: Talk about other Distractions
Though we talk a lot about not drinking and driving, not texting and driver – there are other distractions that can be dangerous as well.Changing the GPS while driving, singing along with the radio loudly, or looking for a particular song, eating, checking make-up or hair – make sure that your teens know they should that even a second can be life altering and they need to pay attention 100% of the time.
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With back to school right around the corner, and more kids than ever running around playing, getting to the school bus, etc, it’s important that we look at ways to help prevent accidents – which can be done following these simple tips.
This post is sponsored by Fullerton Jeep Chrysler Dodge RAM Dealership.
GET OUT – AND TOUCH THE CAR
The internet is a wonderful place – you can find great products such as the parking pal which you teach your child to put their hand on every time they get out of a vehicle until a parent or adult grabs their hand to go inside. To most small children its a game, and it can be a life saver for little ones who can get easily distracted when leaving a vehicle.
DANGERS OF PARKED CARS
Kids like to climb into cars and pretend to drive – and though its cute and fun, it is possible for a child to knock the gear shift (especially if the keys are in the car). This is a huge reason to make sure that you keep your car locked at all times, and keys and remote openers are not readily available to little ones.
BEING ALONE IN THE CAR
Never leave small children in a car – no matter how ‘quick’ you think you are going to be. Did you know an average of 38 kids die of heat stroke from being left in a hot car? Even if its a mild 70 degrees out, a car can reach 120 rather quickly – and a child’s temp rises 3 – 5x faster than an adults!
As we start back to the hustle and bustle of a new school year -and whether your kids walk or take the bus, I know that the biggest concern is that you want them to be safe. So here are some tips for back to school safety.
This post is sponsored by Winner Hyunadi in Dover
TIPS FOR KIDS
When walking through the neighborhood , or getting on the bus here are some useful tips for all kids when it comes to being safe.
WALKING
If kids are younger and haven’t done this before, you may want to teach them how to do it safely. Do a practice walk showing them what to watch out for. Share tips such as:
use sidewalks and crosswalks whenever possible, and if there isn’t a sidewalk walk on the edge of the street, always facing traffic.
Before crossing the street stop and look left and right and left again to make sure no cars are coming
Do not walk and talk or text. (especially while wearing headphones) You don’t want to be distracted near traffic
BIKING
Riding can be fun (and a lot faster) way to get to school, but there are a few tips to be safe while riding as well
Always wear a helmet and make sure that the chin strap is fastened
Ride single file on the right side of the road (going the same direction as traffic while you’re on a bike, unlike walking) and be sure to obey all traffic laws
Use bike lanes whenever possible – if you ride on the sidewalk be extra careful of pedestrians
Use hand signals to alert other riders and drivers when you are going to stop or turn
Walk the bike when you cross streets
TAKING THE BUS
Staying safe around (or on) a school bus , follow these tips:
At the bus stop – stay at least 6 feet from the curb, do not run around while you wait
Getting on & off the bus – wait for the bus to stop completely and for the door to open, only get on or off the bus once the driver says it’s OK, once seated always face forward and use seat belts whenever possible
Near the bus – do not cross behind a school bus, if you need to cross in front of the bus make sure you are at least 10 feet in front of the bus before you do, tell the driver if you drop something near the bus – do not lean down to pick it up as the driver may not be able to see you.
TIPS FOR DRIVERS
As a driver you need to use extra caution in school zones, especially at drop off and pick up times.
Yield to pedestrians and bike riders in crosswalks – and NEVEr block a crosswalk
Do not pass a vehicle waiting for a pedestrian to walk
Do not pass a school bus EVER that is picking up or dropping off kids
Leave enough space between your vehicle and the bus so the kids can safely enter and exit
Always stop for a school staff or crossing guard holding up any stop sign
The start of a new school year is always a bit of a stressful time, but with some planning and smarts, we can get our kids to school and home again safely.
Believe it or not, it is possible to get a good auto insurance policy if you’re a college student. Just like with anything else you just need to know how to look, and what to look for. Just remember that car insurance is more than just the right price (I know that’s important) but you also need to make sure that it’s a policy that will provide you with what you need.
This post is sponsored by Charlie’s Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Here are a few tips for college students shopping for car insurance:
DO COLLEGE STUDENTS HAVE TO HAVE THEIR OWN CAR INSURANCE POLICY?
A lot of people call asking if their college student needs their own insurance. The answer is – it all depends. It depends on where you’ll be living, who owns the vehicle, etc. You most definitely need to talk to your agent to discuss all the factors surrounding your student.
WHERE DOES THE COLLEGE STUDENT LIVE?
If your parents’ address is still your permanent address, you may be able to keep the vehicle you drive on their car insurance policy (depending on who owns it). If you live on campus, or rent an apartment during the school year – you should be able to keep everything the same.
WHOSE NAME IS ON THE TITLE?
If the car is titled to your parents OR if its titled to both you and your parents even if you are taking it to school with you, you should be able to stay on your family car insurance plan.
IF your are solely on the title, most likely you’ll need to get your own policy.
DO I NEED TO HAVE INSURANCE IN A DIFFERENT STATE IF I AM GOING TO COLLEGE OUT OF STATE?
If you’re a college student attending college in a different state than your primary residence, you should be able to keep your car insured in your ‘home’ state. If you have moved to the different state on a permanent basis, then you need to be sure that it’s registered and insured in that state.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WITH CAR INSURANCE COVERAGE AND COLLEGE STUDENTS
Whether they move away, or commute, you do want to make sure that your policy’s current coverage is suitable for your new situation.
Things to consider:
Is the college student taking the car to school? Where will it be parked? If it is parked outside , you may want to consider comprehensive coverage. This coverage will help repair/replace a vehicle that has been damaged by things such as hail, a tree limb falling, or vandalism.
Collision coverage may be a good idea as well, the more you drive, the more likely hood an accident could happen. Collision will help pay for repairs/replacement if your car is damaged in an accident.
If you have a loan or a lease on your vehicle, you do have to carry both collision and comprehensive coverage. Once the loan is paid off, you can decide what coverages may be best for you. Though removing these coverages will decrease your premium, depending on the value of the vehicle, you may want to keep the coverage for awhile.
CAR INSURANCE DISCOUNTS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
If you are looking to save money on your car insurance now that you are in college (or your kid is in college) ask about these discounts:
RESIDENT STUDENT
If the car is staying at home while you live on campus, you may be able to save some money. Since the insurance company knows you won’t be driving as frequently, they may pass the discount on to you.
GOOD STUDENT
Most good student discounts will follow you through college – all the way up to age 25. Be sure to ask your agent if you qualify!
Obviously there isn’t a one for all type of car insurance policy, especially for college students. We all have different situations and different needs, but it’s good to have an idea of what to expect when you start looking into it. Since rules, rates and discounts vary by state, be sure to contact your local agent.
