Not a fun part of the job

1283-main_Temp1Parenting is an emotion-filled ride. We feel great joy most of the time. It produces feelings of embarrassment, disappointment, worry and hope. It can feel tiring, exhilarating, and rarely boring. There is pleasure, occasional pain, desire and satisfaction. Often stressful, especially at certain ages and places of your kid’s life. The thoughts of our kid are always there, even when they aren’t or our minds and energies are elsewhere.

Yet, after doing this for nearly 16 years, I can say that the absolute worst part of the job – what I have learned brings me mostly if not always negative feelings – what I would gladly give up, pay for or bargain with someone else to do …

is to teach my daughter to drive.

I believe there is a special place in heaven reserved for the parent who has gotten their kid to successfully learn to drive and get their license.

I won’t be there.

~ by modelmom on July 8, 2009.

Posted in parenting, teenage girls
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4 Responses to “Not a fun part of the job”

  1. I hope you’re right – that might be my only ticket through the pearly gates. ;^D.

    I’m teaching Jackie how to drive using Driver Ed in a Box, a collision free driving course. We’re almost finished. It is far more comprehensive than classes which only teach the minimum and DEIAB drivers are proven to have significantly fewer collisions. (They pull records. THe man who developed the course has been in the industry many years.)

    We started a year late – which was a mix of her non-stop schedule and my comfort level. Jackie is a mature kid, but I wanted to spend time and approach it with the goal of instilling as many good habits as possible. (Just yesterday I ordered reflective STUDENT DRIVER signs for the car which I wish I’d have done earlier.)

    It’s a time suck and it demands patience and clarity. WIthout a doubt it falls under the ‘I didn’t want to do it but I’m glad I did’ category.

    ~N

    Nan said this on July 9, 2009 at 11:34 am

  2. Bless you. The ‘in the box’ method sounds interesting. You’re right about the classes not offering much. I’m leaning toward finding reasons that she can’t practice/drive my car and hoping that I can stall long enough and she’s out of the house and will get someone else to teach her. Probably won’t happen, though. Time for a heavy dose of patience and clarity.

    modelmom said this on July 9, 2009 at 4:55 pm

  3. Possible solutions:
    1. Order HUGE reflective magnetic signs and hope they embarrass her.
    2. Pretend the steering wheel is wobbling when you drive and cast her a “I don’t want you to risk it” look. Pretend to pump the break for emphasis.
    3. Remind her that celebrities are chauffeured.
    4. Buy an ice cream truck and tell her she must master that first.
    5. Hot glue a large termite to the top of your car.
    ….or the mundane…
    6. Print a check-off list of skills (or ask for one if she takes classes.)

    We had an extra, older car Jackie used in the beginning. That helped take the pressure off.

    Maybe you can have a rule – you can drive any neighborhood car you can hot wire.

    Nan said this on July 9, 2009 at 7:18 pm

  4. I love these suggestions – I’ll start looking for that large termite today!

    Susan said this on July 10, 2009 at 9:12 am

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