Never Doubt a Canine’s Senses
SET A DIRECTION Many adolescents yearn for independence. That desire can be a powerful incentive for them to learn responsibility. Talk with your teen about the benefits that await them if they learn to finish homework on time, keep promises, and do their assigned chores. If you catch them behaving responsibly (for example, consistently getting ready for school on time with their homework done), praise them and remind them that consistent, responsible behavior will earn them greater independence. Help your child learn the skills needed to manage adult responsibilities by helping them plan ahead and break projects into manageable tasks. And if they slack off on an assignment, don’t intervene with the teacher! Let them suffer the bad grade. ALLOW NATURAL CONSEQUENCES Seeing teens endure the consequences of their missteps can be difficult. But it is one of the most effective ways to teach responsibility. For example, if they forget to
do their laundry, they may be stuck wearing an outfit they dislike.
Raising a responsible teenager can be challenging. As children navigate the social and hormonal riptides of adolescence, parents may wonder if an alien has landed in the house. While teaching children personal responsibility is important from toddlerhood on, the stakes rise sharply when your child enters adolescence. Teens’ choices in friendships, school, and extracurricular activities shape who they become as adults. Parental roles shift, too, from providing direct care to being a coach, monitoring the teens’ activities more from the sidelines. TEACHING TEENS THE ART OF RESPONSIBILITY FROM CHORES TO CHOICES
Point out examples in books, TV, or films of how unattractive irresponsible behavior can be to others. It is easy to dislike Harry Potter’s selfish Muggle relatives, the Dursleys, for example, for shirking their responsibility to care for Harry. Remind your child that taking responsibility for one’s mistakes is a major step toward becoming the kind of person others trust and appreciate. Be a good listener and observer. If you notice your child struggling, explore whether it’s mental health difficulties, feeling overwhelmed, or being bullied. In those cases, you may need to intervene and provide support. Above all, set an example you would like your child to follow. As a famous author once said, don’t worry about whether your child is listening. Worry that they are watching! Your example will speak louder than any words as your child enters adulthood.
Big Rigs, Bigger Bills
The Rising Cost of Becoming a Trucker
Job seekers hoping for a career as commercial truck drivers are paying higher costs to enter the profession.
certification from an FMCSA-approved provider. The cost of the ELDT training ranges from about $1,500–$5,000.
The rising cost of training and licensing is slowing the flow of new applicants for commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). New federal training requirements for entry-level drivers are one factor. Another hurdle is CDL training programs costing $3,000–$10,000 or more. The rising costs come amid a tightening of U.S. immigration policy and enforcement, which is expected to remove 5%–12% of CDL holders from the U.S. workforce over the next 2–3 years, according to J.B. Hunt Transport Services, a transportation and logistics company. The company says the crackdown threatens to increase costs for shippers. Safety regulators and independent truckers, however, say the higher standards and training requirements are needed to maintain safety on the highway. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has urged Congress to impose even tighter regulations to prevent poorly prepared drivers from entering the field. Effective in 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposed new training standards requiring drivers seeking CDLs to acquire an Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)
Basic driver training can be pricy too. While some community colleges offer CDL training programs for about $1,000–$5,000, private truck driving schools cost $3,000–$10,000, depending on the length and content of the courses. Other drivers enter the field through company-run programs, which promote low-cost or free training but require participants to work for them for reduced wages after graduating. About 130 driver training programs operate in California, taking up to 10 weeks to complete. A FreightWaves ranking of the top four programs found costs range from $2,000–$12,333, depending on the length of the program, the skills covered, the job-placement help offered, and whether books, tools, uniforms, and supplies are provided. Programs range from 48 hours to 10 weeks in length. In California, an applicant must also pay a $50–$85 fee to apply for a CDL and undergo a medical exam that usually costs about $75–$200. Add it all up, and anyone aspiring to a career as a professional trucker may face entry costs of $3,000–$15,000. At current pay rates, paying back that initial investment can take some time.
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