This morning, Tim left VERY early for work, so I thought it would be a good time for Isaiah's solo flight. I tossed him the keys and told him to pull the car into the driveway. "Really?!" he asked. A little too excited. Without the cruiser parked there, I thought this would be an easy task.
Ummmm....
Not so much.
First, he couldn't remember which pedal was the gas pedal. Then, he couldn't remember not to use both feet. Then, how to roll down the window. Then, how to turn the steering wheel.
And on.
And on.
And on.
My only instruction (which I repeated many, many times) was DO NOT HIT YOUR DAD's NEW TRUCK.
Which he did not do.
But he came DARN close.
I'm not sure, but I MAY need a place to stay to tonight. Isaiah, too.
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9 comments:
He needs his grandma to teach him. No trees will be harmed in the process.
If I could make a small suggestion?
Try taking Isiaih to a deserted parking lot where he can't do any damage, and let him get familiar with the vehicle.
I taught my son to drive stick in the local elementary school lot after he passed driver's ed in an automatic. Driving anywhere near home (and with his Dad) made him so nervous he forgot all the basics.
I agree with you about it being too soon, how did our little kids ever get old enough to drive?
Oh dear. I had trouble just using one foot when I started driving too.
Wow.... that is a little snug in there :-)
Brave momma.... SUPER Brave momma!
I laughed and laughed and am still laughing from looking at that last picture. I showed my husband and he's laughing too. We, have so been there and done that when our son learned to drive. You will survive it...but yes, you will get grey hair and have 'heart attacks' while being in the passenger seat. Deep breaths!!! Hang in there!!
Shelley in SK
With a husband who was either traveling or working, this Mom was the one who took her son driving, too. We, also, started in an empty parking lot, as Mindo suggested. We then progressed to a very wide road with wide shoulders that no one parked on, which also had a low speed limit and few cars. I figured this would be an ideal first drive. (Of course, that day two fire engines, the fire chief, and an ambulance had to race down the road, lights and sirens blaring - not the quiet, gentle drive I was planning! Fortunately, after some initial panic, my son managed to move to the side of the road and all went well.)
Since Isaiah's Dad is an officer, I'll also mention where we practiced parallel parking: I drove over to our local police station and asked them if we could practice in an empty corner of their parking lot, and also if they had any orange cones we could borrow. I'd brought tall sticks from home, to place in the cones. These became the "cars" son Joe had to practice parking between. I was just too nervous about having him practice between some poor unsuspecting people's real cars.
It's an exciting time for our teens, as they strive to earn this privilege, but it sure can be stressful for us parents - good luck!
My thoughts and prayers have also been with you, as you take this difficult journey with your Dad.
Hugs,
Ann
I second the deserted parking lot. I had a skirmish with the trees that lined our driveway when I was learning to drive. I didn't appreciate it then, but it must have been rough on my parents.
You should probably borrow a beater.... Unless you're ok with that pretty car becoming the beater:) teehee. I say that, and I just 'kissed' the garage door frame with the passanger door of my new-to-me van. I've been driving for 15+ years. :-/
@Mom: Really? You want to teach him? He's like me only A LOT worse.
@Mindo: GREAT suggestion! As soon as I read your comment, I thought of just the place! I do think he needs to get comfortable in the car. There is so much to remember INSIDE of the car and OUTSIDE of the car.
@Cassie: He's going to need to get over it quick or I don't think his dad will let him drive again.
@Gretchen: Yep. "Snug" is a good word for it! I'm just so glad he didn't hit it.
@Shelley: THANK YOU! As soon as Isaiah is done learning, Isaac will be ready (he told me he has three and a half years...!)
@Ann: That is a great idea for learning to parallel park. And I've got to find some back roads around here. I think once he practices enough he will be okay... it's just getting him behind the wheel for that practice!
@Buttercup: We are kindred spirits. I too had a skirmish with the trees that lined the driveway. I drove my mom's buick up them.
@Kimberly: A beater would be good. I told him he needs to buy his own car, but he has visions of the yellow car from transformers. It was a beater, too.
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