Check out our January newsletter!
January 2025
THE TRUSTED ADVISOR Teen Driving Safety Starts With You
Tips to Keep Your Child Safe Behind the Wheel
driving distracted on a cellphone, it’s just as dangerous as driving a vehicle while intoxicated. One of the most important rules we can set with our children is that you can’t touch your phone while in the driver’s seat. The best practice is to put their phone to the side or in the glove compartment until they reach their destination. If they need to take a call or answer the text, they should safely pull over and come to a complete stop. Along with verbalizing how important this is, you can install apps and devices on their phones to ensure they aren’t using them while the vehicle is moving. Ultimately, we all have zero reason to be on our phones while driving. When teens focus on their surroundings, they have fewer accidents. Supporting Safe Driving Our children watch and observe everything we do, so if you text while driving or speeding, they will assume it’s okay. So, you need to lead by example and avoid doing those things yourself. To provide them with additional support, look into driver’s education programs, which can also come with a discount on their insurance. Parents should also remember that if your teen’s vehicle is in your name, you are equally responsible for harm or damage they may cause in an accident. When your child gets their driver’s license, one parent has to sign off on it, taking legal responsibility for any accident that person is in. Make sure to get the right insurance for your family. Due to the high rates for teens, sometimes parents list their children as excluded drivers on their nicer cars or personal vehicles. If your teen has to drive that car for some reason, your insurance won’t cover them. Sit down with your insurance agent and ensure your children aren’t excluded from any vehicles unless you are 100% sure they will never drive that car. Teen Driving Awareness Month is an important reminder that every parent can help shape safe driving habits in their children. By staying engaged, setting clear expectations, and leading by example, we can help young drivers navigate the road with confidence and care. NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000 1 – Zac Leacox & Nick Norden
We probably all remember the thrill of getting behind the wheel for the first time as teenagers — a new chapter of independence with many responsibilities. January is Teen Driving Awareness Month, an important time to focus on the challenges of being a new driver and how we, as parents, can encourage them to prioritize road safety. As parents, we have both gone through the experience firsthand, and as personal injury lawyers, we know all too well the statistics about teen driving. The Confidence Gap When teenagers first start driving, they don’t know what they don’t know. While they may feel confident in their abilities, this sometimes masks inexperience. It takes time to get used to driving, requiring a lot of practice and exposure to the road. Young people can also be prone to impatience, making them more likely to drive over the speed limit or make rash decisions. A new driver may also feel like they know how to control their vehicle, but they don’t have the experience yet to understand how to anticipate what other drivers will do. As adults, we’ve seen driving behaviors firsthand and know how to react accordingly. It’s important to instill that you trust your child, but they need to understand and anticipate the many bad drivers out there. Ensure they learn about defensive driving so they have a plan for reacting when another driver does not follow the rules. Distractions Everywhere Today’s kids face more distractions while driving than ever, primarily thanks to cellphones and social media. Studies have shown that when someone is
Babies Delivered Via Mail?
How America’s Youngest Were Once Mailed to Grandma’s Oh, the good old days of 1913, when the U.S. Post Office decided to let just about anything — and we mean anything — go through the mail. Imagine a time when sending eggs, bricks, and even your college laundry via In those early days, some parents took the phrase “special delivery” to a new level by mailing their kids! Just a few weeks after the service began, cases, the local mail carriers in these rural communities were well-known to the families and trusted with these precious deliveries. Take 5-year-old May Pierstorff, who was mailed about 75 miles to her grandparents. Or 3-year- old Maude Smith, who traveled from Caney to Jackson, Kentucky, with snacks in hand and a shipping label sewn to her dress.
one Ohio couple decided
post was the norm. When the U.S. Post Office first began offering parcel service, one of the first packages sent was a brindle English bulldog!
It wasn’t until after several instances and a good deal of head-scratching by the postal authorities that regulations tightened up. Parents could no longer avoid train ticket costs by handing their kids to the local postal carrier. Today, thankfully, we have more sensible travel options for our kids. The days of slapping stamps on their clothing and waving as they disappear with the mail are long gone. But the stories we have from those early days of mail mischief are sure to remind us that thrifty parents will go to any lengths to save a few dimes!
their 8-month-old son, James, needed to visit Grandma and figured the mail was the best way to get him there. Weighing in just under the 11-pound limit, baby James cost a
But of course, it gets stranger. The initial days of the Parcel Post service saw creative shipping solutions, including more than one instance of a surprise opossum delivery in Flushing, Queens. Then, parents short on cash or time decided to do something truly questionable: shipping their own children.
mere 15 cents to mail. Talk about a budget-
friendly travel option!
If it’s any consolation, parents didn’t hand off these pint-sized parcels to strangers. In most
From Forbidden Fortune Telling to Sandwich Shop Silence Unpack America’s Quirkiest State Laws
considered a serious traffic hazard. So, those planning to sell hot dogs should keep their attire conservative to avoid stirring up more than just appetites. Fight Back Birds in Indiana In Indiana, you can only throw a rock at a bird if you’re defending yourself. Hopefully, you’ll never find yourself in such a peculiar predicament (or Hitchcockian nightmare), but it’s good to know the law’s got your back — just in case. No Clairvoyance in Cedar Rapids Fancy yourself a fortune teller in Cedar Rapids, Iowa? Think again. Practices like palm reading or phrenology are off limits, preserving the town’s focus on the tangible here and now rather than the mystical future. Grease Is the Word in North Carolina In North Carolina, stealing over $1,000 of used restaurant grease is a felony. Yes, used grease! As
Every state has its own bizarre laws, and while they make for a fun read, the fact is that these rules were once created to address some specific “problem!” From unusual dress codes for hot dog vendors in Florida to bizarre regulations about fighting birds in Indiana, every state has its share of head-scratchers. Let’s take a stroll through six of the wackiest laws — you can’t make this stuff up! Quiet Hours for Sandwich Lovers In Arkansas, think twice before honking your horn at a sandwich shop after 9 p.m. This law might have stemmed from one too many late-night sandwich cravings disturbing the peace. So, keep your sandwich enthusiasm to a respectable volume! Dress Code for Hot Dog Vendors In Florida, hot dog vendors must think twice about skimpy wardrobes as a marketing tactic. Dressing provocatively is a no-go, as it’s
biodiesel’s popularity rises, so does the value of this slippery commodity — so keep your hands away from the grimy fryer vats. Oklahoma’s Animal Antics And finally, in Oklahoma, you’d better not find yourself tripping a horse or wrestling a bear. Engaging in or even promoting these dangerous and unusual animal antics is illegal. It’s all fun and games until someone gets a bear hug they didn’t ask for! So, next time you think you’ve heard it all, remember: The law books might have a few more surprises waiting for you.
2 NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000
Shining the Light on Lighthouse Parenting A Balanced Approach to Raising Independent Children
Parents set boundaries and offer support. Unlike authoritarian parenting, which might stifle a child’s sense of independence, lighthouse parenting encourages self-reliance through trust and minimal but firm boundaries. Parents provide the framework, trusting the kids to make good decisions. This method helps to build a robust support system where children know they have the safety net of their parents’ guidance when needed. Keep the Light On Adopting the lighthouse method involves unconditional love paired with expectations and boundaries. It’s about guiding children through the complexities of growing up without removing the essential experiences that teach them about life. Of course, no single parenting style is perfect for every child. How you reinforce lighthouse parenting depends entirely on your child’s needs and developmental trajectory. Ultimately, lighthouse parenting aims to prepare children to thrive independently, ensuring they know the way back to shore, no matter how far away they sail.
emphasizes a balance of nurturing and communicating with children while allowing them the freedom to grow independently. Just as a lighthouse guides without steering the ship itself, lighthouse parents offer direction and ensure safety without overly controlling their children’s lives. It advocates for a balanced approach. Lighthouse parenting positions itself in the sweet spot on the parenting spectrum — not as overbearing as helicopter parenting nor as detached as free-range parenting. It focuses on being emotionally present and available, providing a safe space for children to bring up issues and learn from their experiences. This method involves:
Among the countless parenting styles out there, an approach called “lighthouse parenting” is a beacon for guiding children through life’s turbulent waters while giving them the space to navigate on their own. While it may sound ideal, is it the right parenting style for your kids? What is lighthouse parenting? Coined by Dr. Ken Ginsburg, a professor of pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, lighthouse parenting is a philosophy detailed in his book “Raising Kids to Thrive.” This approach
Checking in Regularly: Ensuring open lines of communication. Encouraging Autonomy: Allowing kids the freedom to make decisions and learn from the outcomes. Promoting Resilience: Supporting children as they navigate challenges, helping them to develop coping skills and independence.
•
•
•
Have a
Citrus Olive Oil Cake
Laugh
Inspired by GimmeSomeOven.com
Ingredients
• 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1/2 tsp almond extract • Zest of 1 lemon, plus 2 tbsp juice • Zest of 1 orange, plus 2 tbsp juice • Powdered sugar, optional
• 1 cup almond flour • 3/4 cup sugar • 2/3 cup medium-grind cornmeal • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp sea salt • 3 eggs
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment and lightly grease the sides with cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl, whisk almond flour, sugar, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt until combined. 2. In another bowl, whisk eggs, olive oil, vanilla, almond extract, and lemon and orange zest and juice. Combine the wet ingredients with dry ingredients. 3. Pour batter into the springform pan. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool for 15 minutes. 4. Run a knife gently around the edges of the cake, then remove the sides of the pan. If desired, dust cake with powdered sugar using a fine-mesh strainer.
3
NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
407-801-3000 NordenLeacox.com 633 E. Colonial Dr. Orlando, FL 32803
Inside This Edition
2 1 Parenting Tips for New Drivers
The Curious Case of Mailing Children in the Early 1900s
6 State Laws You Won’t Believe Exist!
3
Citrus Olive Oil Cake
Lighthouse Parenting: Illuminate the Path to Independence and Resilience
4
Crime and Cavities
From Aggravated Assault to Dental Drama Runaway ‘Dentist’ Dodges Detection
with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and unlawful carrying of a weapon by a felon — and that was just in 2023 and 2024! In one infamous case, she was accused of shooting at her boyfriend’s former girlfriend. Her record also includes a December 2016 conviction for the delivery of a controlled substance. “Juanetta Solomon is the definition of a career habitual offender,” commented Andy Kahan, director of victim services and advocacy at Crime Stoppers of Houston, in a story on Katy Magazine Online. “She’s been in prison multiple times in different counties, so it’s no surprise she is once again wanted. Her latest offense is extremely brutal, pretending to be a dentist [and] causing undue pain and stress on individuals, so the quicker we get her back in custody, the less anyone has to suffer as a result of her criminal conduct.”
While TikTok may be a go-to app for funny videos, it’s probably not the best way to find a new dentist.
Last year, Texas-based “dentist” Nikki Calloway used TikTok to generate buzz for her business, ISmilez Cosmetic Designz. The campaign attracted new patients, including one who scheduled an appointment after receiving a $1,350 quote from Calloway to have 16 teeth removed, replaced, and a bridge added. There was only one problem: “Nikki Calloway” wasn’t a licensed dentist. In reality, she was Juanetta Solomon, a notorious local felon with a long history of crime. The botched dental surgery left the patient dizzy, bleeding, and with a tooth that fell out shortly afterward — and prompted Solomon to go on the run from the law. According to authorities, Solomon had operated her “dentistry” office while out on bond for a weapons charge. Her past offenses include assault
Law enforcement was still attempting to capture Solomon at the time of this writing. Her bizarre turn as a “dentist” serves as a chilling reminder that Google and a little research — not social media — are the best tools to determine whether your chosen provider is a professional or someone destined for prison.
4 NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator