So the 15 year old has a newly minted Driver's Permit and is in a big hurry to use it.
She hasn't even started her Behind-The-Wheel classes yet, but we've been out driving several times already. First it was the empty school parking lot, then the parking lot plus a trip around the block, then a half hour on the subdivision streets.
Things heard from behind the wheel:
"Mom! I can't multi-task! I can steer, or I can press the gas pedal, but not both! You pick!"
"Help!! A car is coming! What do I do what do I do?!?"
"Mom! Don't distract me by talking! This is LIFE THREATENING!"
"I hate it when there are other cars on the road!!"
Things heard from the passenger side:
"Slow down slowdown SLOW! DOWN!"
"Good, good, you're doing fine!"
"Stop! STOP!!!"
"Hug the right, HUG THE RIGHT!"
"OK, good, good, that was good, you're doing fine, really, that's good... OK, slow down... SLOW DOWN ... OK, good, now make the turn... OK, good, good, now give it some gas ... come on let's get it up to 15 mph... good, good....you're doing fine, really!"
Wow. All I can say is that the Drivers Ed teachers at the high school are AWESOME, and brave.
Of course, they have a second brake pedal, too.
And sweetie, if when you read this, please know that I mean it, you're doing really well! If I didn't think so, would I be entrusting my life to you in that car to take you practice driving?
Well, would I?
No, of course not.
I'd make your Dad do it.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Fun with Student Driving
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3 comments:
First time I took the 16-yo onto I-94, you'd have thought I had instructed her to pretend she was on the track at Daytona.
Here she was, hurtling through the universe at 55 or so, pale as a fresh sheet, permanently imprinting her fingerprints into the steering wheel...
This post is funny! I like it! :-)
I will soon be practice-riding with my 6th, yes 6th child. No matter how much practice-riding I get as a parent, or how much practice-driving they get as kids, or how many kids I take out onto the open highway, it is still just as scary as the first one, because each one is different, and because they have never driven before. It's like a baby taking its first steps toward walking.
I have learned though to let them drive in parking lots,or in our own driveway before they even begin drivers ed--even for a year or so. For one of my sons, cutting lawn and driving a go-kart has helped him be a better driver. He got his license on the first try, on a very snowy, slippery day.
Practice riding is no fun. I wish I too had a brake on my side of the car like the drivers-ed instructors do. I will be glad to be done with practice-riding with my last one--he is only 13 now, but he is my last. Shreeeewww!
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