24
Mr. Toads Wild Ride
Posted under Daughters by Mike
“Stay closer to the center yellow line.”
“Signal before you change lanes.”
“Did you look over your shoulder at your blind spot?”
“You need to start breaking a little sooner.”
I’ve done this twice before; you’d think I’d be used to it by now.
I got her two older sisters through this; I can get my youngest teenager to master this. I have a reputation of patience under fire. I mean, I live in house with all women who for some reason PMS at different times of the month. 
It’s not pretty.
Those six months between getting your drivers permit and taking the driver’s test can be a time of challenges. Both for the teenager and the parent. It’s a time when my budget for aspirin goes higher and my alcohol intake after the lessons goes up.
I understand the anxious nerves of a beginner when their behind the wheel. There are way too many things to think about and to watch for. And as a parent your mind reels with:
Did you look both ways after stopping?
Are you really going that fast?
How well does the handbrake work?
At what speed could I bail out if needed?
We’re into our first month and there haven’t been any casualties yet. We’ve just missed the parked cars while checking ourselves in the mirror. That bicyclist was sure surprised when we almost clipped his rear wheel. And I really didn’t know that you could get a car on two wheels while making a left turn.
Eventually she’ll get all of it down. Driving will be like second nature for her. And like every teenager, she’ll have the stereo blaring, checking her makeup in the mirror and drinking a latte, all the while dodging traffic.
You’ve been warned.
HA! You have a good perspective. And the photo is priceless at the bottom!
stepping over the junks last blog post..Artsy Fartsy
I suppose it could be worse. All the ladies could get PMS at the same time. I guess you would just move out to the garage for the week.
So, what is your beverage of choice?
Russs last blog post..The Cup, By Russ
you are truly brave. Me? I’m going on vacation for those years. I figure when she turns 13, it’s time for me to move to Japan.
Without her.
Or anyone else for that matter
M@s last blog post..Fenway pics
You are a brave man! How many years do you estimate have bee taken off your life? This whole process scares me.
Weaselmommas last blog post..Public Service Anouncement
Oh man… I learned how to drive on a manual car and my mom did not to patience very well. I remember specifically stalling it in the middle of the road (in the country! So it’s not like anyone would have hit us!) and she was turning the key as fast as I could kill it. Her yelling “G-Damn it JENNIFER” over and over did NOT help the situation any.
I eventually learned, thanks to a very calm, patient family friend. Hee hee.
the cubicle’s backporchs last blog post..Scene From a Relationship- Learner Style
I’ll make sure to stay off the sidewalk.
above average joes last blog post..Hope
@stepping over the junk: Yeah, that photo is one she took of herself. Blonde and blue eyed. Can’t deny her.
@Russ: I’m either brave or stupid, history will tell. I love single malt scotch or a good port with a good cigar…
@Weaselmomma: It’s not the years, its the hair loss for me.
@the cubicle’s backporch: Sometimes parents aren’t the best to teach. My ex is not the most patient when teaching to drive…
@above average joe: And out of the alleys and parking lots as well…
I love this post! My dad, who also happens to be Mike, had a house full of women when I was growing up too. Poor guy. We look back now and laugh a lot. He’s my favorite guy (or maybe I should say that he ties with my husband. I should probably say that.)
Thank you for your comment over on the Annex. It’s nice to “meet” you.
Heather
Heather of the EOs last blog post..Former Lives
Oh how this takes me back to the days when my father and I were practicing!! He once yelled at me so much that I stopped the car, got out and walked home, leaving the car in the middle of the road and him hollering at me through the open window!!
Good luck!
HeatherPrides last blog post..5 Bloggy Confessions
I think my wife will have to teach the kids to drive. They would drive me crazy. I’ve already seen how my son drives at the Disneyland Autoban. He’s going to be a wild one.
Daddy Forevers last blog post..Oregon State 27, USC 21
Oh, how I relate! My son gets better every day, thank God. Love that final pic!!
Half-Past Kissin’ Times last blog post..Friday Fragments
My mother refused to teach me to drive, so my dad did. I hit a car backing out of his driveway. Great start. But, I haven’t hit a car since then and I’ve been driving for, um, umpteen thousand years.
I dread doing this with my kids, however. Perhaps I should stock up on alcohol now…..
Major Bedheads last blog post..This Is My Brain On Water
Add A Comment