Teen Driver

My son has had his permit for almost a year now and I've wanted to capture this moment in time for awhile.  He's the second one I've taught to drive, so he's benefited from my experience and much lower level of anxiety than I had with his older sister.  Now I know it is possible to teach a child to drive and they really can get a license and not harm themselves or anyone else, knock on wood!

This time I've been able to sit back and enjoy the experience more.  Shortly after he got his permit, I gained a new friend in the van.  Going out for a quick milk run, he's in the driver's seat.  Going to pick up a younger sibling, he volunteers to come along.  Going to the doctor and he'll have to sit bored in the waiting room, no problem, he's the driver!  Before having a permit, none of these errands would have interested him in the slightest.

I've gotten to know his sense of humor more, heard more stories about school and sports, and generally feel like I know him better.  It's been a wonderful window into his world and I'm going to miss it.  Already, he's planning for his soon-to-be license.  Where he'll go, what he'll do...Understandably, none of the plans involve his mom tagging along.  In fact, an alarming number of his plans seem to involve driving a vehicle at its maximum speed.  I've lost track of the number of times he's begged for a motorcycle or asked questions like, "What's the fastest speed you've ever gone, have you ever gone 100 mph?"  Um, for the record, absolutely not, and neither should you!

Of course, I've taught driving lessons this year, trying to instill every tip I can, lest I leave him unprepared.  Now there are fewer white knuckle moments and he's asked me to quit telling him to "slow down and be careful" more and more lately.  I can tell he's losing patience with the training process and wants to get on with driving independence. But I've also had the chance to teach about life, to teach about being a young man and entering a new stage of responsibility and privilege.  I've had the chance to make a friend, and I hope he remembers those lessons too, as he drives off into the future.

   

11 comments:

  1. Oh, I can really imagine how important this time is to you (btw - you may want to link up to Magic Moments over at The Olivers Madhouse). I read recently that teenage boys bond best when you do something side by side with them and talk at the same time, so it's less aggressive to them than a face to face chat. Thanks for linking to #AllAboutYou

    Mama-andmore.com

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    1. So true about doing something side by side, I value this time so much! Also, thank you for the Magic Moments suggestion! :)

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    2. awww thanks honey for sharing the linky love and shouting out for #MagicMoments big snogs Zaz xx

      I dont think i would have the patience to teach my children i am too highly strung but what a fantastic skill to pass on!

      thanks for linking up x

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  2. oh my goodness you are a braver lady than me, my boys are still only little but I cant imagine it will ever be me doing the teaching! - i am sure I have all the questions to look forward to though! #MagicMoments

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  3. Really enjoyed reading this and I appreciate your anxiety but I loved reading about how your relationship with your son seems to be deepening as your teaching him how to drive. What a fab #magicmoment

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  4. I have been glued to this with one starting next year. Mind you the picking up from a dinner party will be good!

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    1. Once they have their license and the initial fear wears off, it really is great!

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  5. Fantastic post! My dh has been teaching our oldest son to drive. I can tell it's been a bonding experience for them.

    Thanks for linking up at Motivation Monday!

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    1. Thanks, Barb! I'm sure your husband and son will make some great memories out there on the road! :)

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  6. Ahhh so lovely that you can bond. This brought back so many memories of my parents teaching me. you do get to bond more in the car and it's so great. Lovely post. Thank you for sharing it with Share With Me!

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