The experience you have when your teen is on the way to becoming a licensed driver is not one I could’ve ever imagined. Sure, there’s excitement about having another person in the house that can run back to the grocery store when you forgot an item, or drive themselves to and from soccer practices, their friend’s house, or shuttle their little brother around, but there is a big fear as well. There is a fear that has no description other than, it’s a big fucking fear.
My daughter is currently days away from taking the driving test to get her permanent license. The feeling her father and I have at this point is that she is no where near ready to be on the road by herself even at age 17. I use to question why there were so many teenagers around here that turned 16 and didn’t have their license yet? When I turned 16 the first thing I did that morning was take my drivers test because I was ready to be licensed and out on my own! Well, now I know, they weren’t ready at 16!
I had high hopes! I mean she knew how to drive a golf cart! I initially learned how to drive by driving a golf cart. No doubt, I knew she would rock this driving thing. She is not. rocking. it. This is where growing up in a small town, gave me an advantage. When you only have one highway, that’s not really like a highway, that runs through your town and the rest of the streets are pretty much residential areas, there’s not a lot of room for error.
Fear number one. Of course she wants a car. What licensed teenager doesn’t? But her father and I decided, I’m sorry, let me correct that statement, her FATHER thinks it’s a better idea if she just uses my car every once a while. You know, the family car. My ONLY source of transportation. Well, that scares the hell out of me! I remember using the family car. The family Jeep Wagoner is what I was driving, with a car full of friends down Party Road, when I learned that you can’t slam on the brakes when you’re on gravel. 😬 So yes, driving my car is a fear.
Fear number two. God I love the girl, and she performs academically and behaves better than I ever did… BUT, she tends to lack awareness of her surroundings. Now I blame that on technology, but that’s a different story. I feel as if I’ve cheated death by cardiac arrest multiple times just within the last week. Hitting sidewalk gutters, failure to ease on the break at red lights, dodging concrete light posts…near heart failure for this mom. If my daughter didn’t know every curse word ever created, she does now!
Fear number three. It’s a freakin minivan! Which means it’s a hotel room on wheels! I trust my daughter, but she’s dated the same guy for over three years, and I’m not naïve. She is my daughter, after all, and it’s unfortunately fortunate that I know all too well what can go on when there’s ample legroom. My only saving grace is fear number two…unawareness. At this point, it’s highly unlikely that she has paid any attention to hidden back country roads during our driving endeavors. Having access to third row seating, that’s a BIG fear!
Fear number four, which happens to be my biggest fear of all, and that is her safety. The first time she pulls out of the driveway on her own, I will have lost any and all control I might have had. It’s no longer just her driving I need to worry about, it’s all of the dip shits out there on the road as well. The distractions, the phone, the stereo, all of the stupid car buttons. Fear of branches hiding stop signs, cars running red lights. Fear of late night bikers dressed in black, thinking they own the road. Even though I know how levelheaded and responsible she can be, there’s always a fear she’ll repeat the stupid mistakes I made when I was her age, but she won’t be as lucky. The fear of her safety hits me in my gut and leaves me nauseated with worry and apprehension. It’s a fear that has crept up on me for the past 17 years, has no boundaries, is here to stay…forever!
So yeah, we can poke fun at her driving and some of the little mishaps, but I rank this as one of the top scariest stages of having a teenager. Like I said, it’s a big fucking fear!
Yes, I agree 100%!! It’s a biggie! Georgia will do great, though, I’m sure you are preparing her more than you think. Lucy starts driving with a regular license, by herself, next month!! 😩😳
Been there twice! It is a very scary time. Mine learned to drive in Edmond where so many roads are used as if they are a highway. Every time they left the house driving, you bet I was on edge until they walked back through the door. They are great drivers and Georgia will be too! She will most likely be more aware of her surroundings when she is alone in the car. Hang in there, it will be alright!❤️
Having had 5 drivers, I get this. The 3 boys proved girls are better drivers. All 3 had minor accidents within weeks of each other. The girls still have not had accidents–even after all these years. There is a reason car insurance is higher for boys than girls.