My New Driver
It's all about giving trust and trusting them to not take chances. It's giving them the keys and praying that you taught them well and that they will avoid other bad drivers.It's faith that common sense will prevail when they are getting begged for rides, and encouraged to leave town when you restricted her to the city limits. DD2 is a fully licensed, well provisionally at least, driver. She could have taken the test six weeks ago when she turned 16 but she was late making an appointment, plus, she wanted her braces off before the picture would be snapped. I've been through this twice already, that mix of feeling of freedom in having another driver and less burden on my time, with a touch of fear every time they pick up their car keys. I hope we have instilled that driving is a privilege, and an awesome amount of responsibility. I pray she never takes it for granted, as I know over the years I have myself, getting lazy with the rules we've imposed on her when applying to myself.
Her first solo venture is to take herself to her violin lesson. Later in the week she'll buy a parking pass and the morning drive to school will begin. My life will be very different. No more mornings based on her schedule as I can leave the house bright and early, starting my day early as I would prefer, so that I can leave earlier in the afternoon. No more leaving work hours early in the middle of the afternoon because she has to be somewhere, and then needing to scramble to get back on line. DH will have no more last minute calls that she had to stay after and needs a ride home. Still, neither of us will sleep a wink if she is out for an evening until the car is safely in it's spot on the driveway. My new driver, ahhh.
I have one of those as well.
ReplyDeleteScary and exciting at the same time. Good luck to yours.
DeleteGood for her. Letting go means freedom for both of you :)
ReplyDeleteBaby steps with her, but Friday we can be at work, and she has a school release day and can get to play practice herself.
DeleteWhat an adorable new driver! I am sure you have taught her well!
ReplyDeleteShe's such a little peanut behind the wheel, but the tester said she was very cautious and attentive, which I liked to hear.
DeleteThat's brilliant. Congratulations to your daughter.
ReplyDeleteHere in the UK legally we can't learn to drive until we're 17. x
And we have farm kids that can start as early as 14 if needed for farm business. However, no alcohol consumption or purchase until 21. Interesting where different lines are drawn for different activities around the world leading our kids into adulthood.
DeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteArilx
Thank you-she is a happy girl.
DeleteIt's going to make an immense difference to your day. I know what you mean about worrying tho... Jx
ReplyDeleteWorry and relief-simultaneously.
DeleteAs I've been through two drivers, the freedom will outweigh the worry over time. Of course we woke p to two inches of new snow, and slippery roads. She needs to get a parking pass still, so she did not drive today, but Thursday might be possible.
ReplyDeleteIt is very different in my world. We depends on the bus to be at places. Toronto is a great city with lot of buses. My daughter went to school by taking bus. Great for the environment and my finance too.
ReplyDeleteno public transportation in our smallish community, and we live over 6 miles from her school. With her extra 0 hour class, and after school commitments, the school bus doesn't work for her, so I tend to drop her off, but then have a lot of coming and going between DH and I. This will resolve a lot of headaches. I do want to spend a signification amount of my retirement years time in communities with great public transportation, and leave the driving to others. We love the DC and London Metro/tube subway system, and even our own Twin Cities is starting to get better lines that connect to light rail.
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