How often do your non driving teens hang out with friends?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live off of two busy streets so kids can’t walk or bike to friends. My two teen boys can’t or don’t seem to make plans with friends. Even when they try, it often falls through. People are out of town, busy, don’t have a ride, etc. My friends with boys seem better at making plans.

A boy in high school without a car doesn't grow up as well.

A car is a necessity for a boy to have much of a social life, especially a dating life, and mature properly.

Girls can get by without one for the most part because all the boys with vehicles will gladly take them places.

There we go again...some weird DCUM moms obsessed with making sure that the poles of their teens are adequately greased. Mature properly...indeed.

[Anonymous]

Every single day for my DS. There are a bunch of guys - around 25-30 of them from various schools, and they keep doing a bunch of stuff - eating out, playing basketball, pool, Top Golf, indoor rock climbing, cycling, movies, hanging in someone's basement, going shopping, video gaming, going for day trips etc. The driving teens pick up each other or some parents will pick up and drop off. Not all kids meet each other every day...but you will at least see 5-6 of them together. Boys seem to be ok with not knowing each other very well as long as they are doing some kind of activity. Only two boys are dating.

My DD has dedicated but small group of friends. Generally hangs out with the same group.

For both kids, DH or I are always available to drop and pick up.

[Anonymous]

My 15 year old sees friends in person several times a week and talks to various friends everyday either on the phone or in group chats.

[Anonymous]

Some weeks not at all; others a couple times. DD is starting to use the RideOn buses to meet friends as our high school zone is pretty spread out with heavy traffic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live off of two busy streets so kids can’t walk or bike to friends. My two teen boys can’t or don’t seem to make plans with friends. Even when they try, it often falls through. People are out of town, busy, don’t have a ride, etc. My friends with boys seem better at making plans.

A boy in high school without a car doesn't grow up as well.

A car is a necessity for a boy to have much of a social life, especially a dating life, and mature properly.

Girls can get by without one for the most part because all the boys with vehicles will gladly take them places.

My kid will be more than halfway through high school before he is eligible for a license.

Many are sophomores when they start driving, as 16 is the usual beginning driver age. Sometimes as freshman if they get a hardship license, which is not hard to do if both parents work and they live a few miles from school, but it's more limited to just for driving to school and back, no cruising.

NP. Are you up to date on the current requirements and process for getting license in MD or VA these days?
The earliest my kid could possibly get a license is a few months into junior year. And only if he got the learners permit as early as possible & met all the requirements quickly.

[Anonymous]

Many kids are introverted and incels now because their parents are overprotective and don't allow them to even drive it seems.

Teens that don't have a vehicle are stuck with mom and dad, or often just mom, and that's not good for a growing kid. They need to be able to get out, make friends, date, get part time work, etc.

Stop abusing your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many kids are introverted and incels now because their parents are overprotective and don't allow them to even drive it seems.

Teens that don't have a vehicle are stuck with mom and dad, or often just mom, and that's not good for a growing kid. They need to be able to get out, make friends, date, get part time work, etc.

Stop abusing your kids.

You need to get out more yourself. You are growing odd.

My kids don’t drive yet but are perfectly able to take public transportation.

[Anonymous]

15. Girl.
Now that it’s summer - 3-4x a week and really that’s minimum. She has one friend within walking distance but most are 10m drive or more. She will sometimes take the bus but mostly she is a passenger princess and bugs us all for rides - me, her dad, or her 17yo sister. Mostly to her best friends house which is 10m away and in a very cool part of our city with lots to do.

She has friends who live farther away as we are on the edge of the school boundary but they usually come to our house.

But girls are different from boys.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, zero. He goes to boarding school though so that is likely the reason. Texts and snaps each day with his friends that live elsewhere. Works with kids his age full time but doesn’t want to hang out afterwards. Hangs with the family on weekends and does his own thing weekdays. He’s 15 and not driving yet. I suspect this may be the last year like this once he does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live off of two busy streets so kids can’t walk or bike to friends. My two teen boys can’t or don’t seem to make plans with friends. Even when they try, it often falls through. People are out of town, busy, don’t have a ride, etc. My friends with boys seem better at making plans.

A boy in high school without a car doesn't grow up as well.

A car is a necessity for a boy to have much of a social life, especially a dating life, and mature properly.

Girls can get by without one for the most part because all the boys with vehicles will gladly take them places.

Go back to the 1960s where you belong.

Exactly

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live off of two busy streets so kids can’t walk or bike to friends. My two teen boys can’t or don’t seem to make plans with friends. Even when they try, it often falls through. People are out of town, busy, don’t have a ride, etc. My friends with boys seem better at making plans.

A boy in high school without a car doesn't grow up as well.

A car is a necessity for a boy to have much of a social life, especially a dating life, and mature properly.

Girls can get by without one for the most part because all the boys with vehicles will gladly take them places.

Go back to the 1960s where you belong.

Exactly

I don’t agree with this post, but I do see this: the boys I know are bad planners. When they are dependent on rides, organizing multiple people etc, plans fall through often. Once they have their licenses, things can be impromptu and include whoever can get there or can get a ride with a friend. My DS and friends see each other so much more now that they’re able to transport themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many kids are introverted and incels now because their parents are overprotective and don't allow them to even drive it seems.

Teens that don't have a vehicle are stuck with mom and dad, or often just mom, and that's not good for a growing kid. They need to be able to get out, make friends, date, get part time work, etc.

Stop abusing your kids.

You need to get out more yourself. You are growing odd.

My kids don’t drive yet but are perfectly able to take public transportation.

Oh cmon, are you from the 1920s? LMAO

[Anonymous]

My kid is somewhat extraverted at school - nice, has lots of friends, both boys and girls text him. So I know he's liked.

His friends make almost no plans outside of school. It's maddening. I keep pushing him to make plans and we try, but it often falls flat and then teaches him not to make the effort. He does online game with his friends for a bit every day in the summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many kids are introverted and incels now because their parents are overprotective and don't allow them to even drive it seems.

Teens that don't have a vehicle are stuck with mom and dad, or often just mom, and that's not good for a growing kid. They need to be able to get out, make friends, date, get part time work, etc.

Stop abusing your kids.

Are you an idiot? My kid will be almost done with his senior year before he can possibly have a full license and permitted to drive unrelated teens.

[Anonymous]

Never for my kid.