Most teens dream about getting their driver's licence. And as they get closer to earning it, they pay close attention to other drivers. For parents, this is a great time to help teens think about showing respect.

Suppose a driver cuts you off as he races to get into the turn lane. You could lose your temper. Or you could talk about it with your teen. Is that driver showing respect for the other drivers on the road?

Do not be surprised if your teen thinks you should have responded in kind. He may even say, "You allowed him to disrespect you."

It's that kind of thinking that gets teens into trouble. Now is the time to remind him that not every slight needs to be addressed.

If you had chased after the other driver, you might have put yourself--and others on the road--in danger. Helping teens see that it's okay not to respond can be a powerful lesson.

Reprinted with permission from the September 2009 issue of Parents Still make the difference!® (High School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2009 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Source: Goodcharacter.com, "Teaching Guide: Respect for Grades 7-12," www.goodcharacter.com/ISOC/Respect.html.