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Post by monklady123 on Aug 12, 2015 11:51:14 GMT
Omg...   And my son is doing a good job, and he's older than 16 so he's not a kid. And I'm still really nervous. ugh. -- We live right near the Metro and multiple bus lines so ds just never bothered to get a license. But now he's planning to move to Georgia to live with friends and go to school, and apparently out where they'll live there are no buses and there certainly isn't a subway system. "It's just country roads, mom..." lol. So, he's learning to drive. And like I said, he's doing fine. But still....ack. Merging onto a more major road...ack. Driving in the right lane and passing by a merge where others are coming onto our road...ack. (because in this area no one really understands the meaning of the word "yield" so they don't realize it applies to them ). Driving through rush hour stop and go with traffic lights and pedestrians who think they always have the right of way...ack. Driving in a neighborhood with no sidewalks and lots of kids...ack. Driving on the interstate? No. Way. Gin and tonic when we get home... yes!  Seriously, I'm too old for this. |
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Post by mtscrapper on Aug 12, 2015 12:01:36 GMT
I can so relate! In our state, teens have to take driver's ed and then have 50 hours of supervised driving in 6 months before they get their license. I am on my last child to do this (I have 4), so I soon won't have to do it anymore (yay!). My older kids can't stand being in the car with my 16-year-old either. I just tell them that they were the exact same way and now they finally understand why I was so nervous when they were driving.
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Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,366
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Aug 12, 2015 12:04:43 GMT
I freely admit that I just can't do it. My younger dd is learning right now. I've not been in the car with her yet. I'm far too anxious and jumpy, and my entire family is aware of that. So my dh is handling driving practice, at least for now.
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Post by littlemama on Aug 12, 2015 12:10:03 GMT
DS has had his license for almost a year - he is not allowed to drive on the freeway yet (our choice - he needs some practice and we live in a busy area where freeway merging can be very challenging. We wanted him to have more regular experience before he tackled that). Once he is back from vacation, he is going to be doing some freeway driving. DH and I are already frightened just thinking about it! LOL. DS is a very good driver, it's just the lack of experience that is nervewracking
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iluvpink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,370 
Location: Michigan
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Post by iluvpink on Aug 12, 2015 12:10:51 GMT
My dd will be signing up for segment 1 of driver's training soon. Like the pea above I know I can't handle it, so dh has agreed to do all the practice. Maybe by the time she actually gets her license I will be brave enough to try it. As it is I'm a very nervous passenger no matter who is driving.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Aug 12, 2015 12:11:11 GMT
I still have a year or so before the youngest takes the wheel so i get a bit of a reprieve.
I will share though that when my oldest was first driving, he was incredibly leery of on-coming traffic. So he compensated by hugging the right side of the lane. To the point where, as the passenger, I got to see every mailbox and sign VERY up-close-and-personal. Eek. Thankfully, we got him over that eventually.
Anyway, I feel your pain. Teaching teens to drive is not for the faint of heart.
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Post by ingrid6 on Aug 12, 2015 12:12:10 GMT
My nerves are just fine but only because Dh has been the one that taught all 6 of our kids to drive. 40 hours behind the wheel (x6) just wouldnt have been good for them or for me!  |
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Post by genny on Aug 12, 2015 12:14:34 GMT
Me! DD just got her permit, but will be 16 later this month, so she's nearly a year behind in starting.
So far I have only let her drive in large parking lots and in a park (at slow times for visitors). She is SO not ready to get on a main road yet. She's really jerky with turning and is not smooth with gas or brake yet. DH has zero patience, so I'm not going to subject her to him any time soon.
DS took her out in his car (to the school parking lot), which is a stick shift, to try and teach her the ins and outs of driving a manual instead of an automatic as well. He said she did really well, and she said he was really patient and a good teacher so I may let him take her out a little more.
So far my nerves have been ok, but again, we've not hit a road with traffic on it yet. Once we do that I'm sure I'll be a wreck!
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Post by anonrefugee on Aug 12, 2015 12:23:45 GMT
I'll let you know when we venture beyond the neighborhood!
Actually this one is better than the first. Oldest DS and I had to stop driving together during his permit, we made each other too tense.
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Post by Flowergirl on Aug 12, 2015 12:23:35 GMT
I'm currently doing this for the second time. DD isn't any better or any worse than DS was 3 years ago, but I am far more anxious this time around for some reason. Teaching our kids to drive has by far been the most nerve wracking part of parenthood for me. I'll take toddler tantrums over teaching highway driving any day!  |
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Post by Patter on Aug 12, 2015 12:29:18 GMT
Teaching our triplets to drive has been my task. Hubby travels and works so much that it fell on me. Plus the kids prefer driving with me. Two have had their licenses for a while. They will all be 21 in a few weeks. Anyway, the 3rd one never had an interest in driving. When she did at age 18, she started learning. Then she had her horseback riding accident, and has not been able to learn since. She has had 4 back surgeries. So, I still have her to finish teaching, and I am NOT looking forward to it. Definite stress and heart palpitations!
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Post by kristi521 on Aug 12, 2015 12:31:04 GMT
I am right there with you. Just took a (2) 1 hour drives with my oldest on Saturday, with lots of freeway driving. My nerves were a mess!
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ddstratton
Junior Member
Posts: 83
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Post by ddstratton on Aug 12, 2015 12:33:25 GMT
Here! Our DD turned 16 in March and got her permit the same day. She's been doing good, but it is nerve-wracking.
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Post by miominmio on Aug 12, 2015 12:39:14 GMT
DS was 16 in March (here, they don't get their driver's licence until they're 18). I'm a nervous wreck!! And it's almost 18 more months to go before he's allowed to drive on his own, I'm not sure if I will survive this with my sanity intact. Yesterday, we very nearly had an accident involving a horse (the horse panicked and started to turn it's rear towards the car. From the tail swishing, I could tell it wanted to kick out at the car). And trying to explain how easily a horse will spook at something, was like talking to a brick wall! Gaaahhhhhhhh!!!
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Post by peano on Aug 12, 2015 12:43:02 GMT
I'll be there soon. DS turns 16 the end of this month. Poor kid wasn't able to get an appointment to take his permit test until the end of October.
I've had him out driving in deserted parking lots and he's pretty cautious so I'm not too worried...I think.
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Post by Blind Squirrel on Aug 12, 2015 12:54:40 GMT
It reminds me what I great dad I have. He taught 5 of us to drive. My mom never got in the car with a child driving!
I am at the tail-end of teaching DS2. Within weeks, my daughter will be eligible to get her learner's permit! My nerves, my nerves!
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Post by cyndijane on Aug 12, 2015 12:57:21 GMT
I was in college when I taught both of my younger sisters how to drive (a standard, by the way), and that didn't bother me at all. However, I've already told DH that I'll pass when it comes time to teach driving to the boys. That's going to be a Daddy task. If he can't for whatever reason, not gonna lie, I'll call *MY* dad to come teach them!!
My mom **always** freaked out when we were driving. Always. Drove me crazy (and, is why I taught my sisters to drive.) To this day, she doesn't like to drive, but watching other people drive nearly kills her nerves- so she prefers the backseat and to be reading a book while she's being chauffered about.
I feel for all of you moms out there in this stage of life!!!
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Post by monklady123 on Aug 12, 2015 13:01:09 GMT
Glad to have all this company. Ds seems to think I "overreact". oy... And for the record, in my defense, I am NOT screaming out "eeeeek!" every five minutes....that would be too distracting for any driver let alone a new one. But for example, the other day he changed lanes to pass a car. He did look in the mirror and a quick glance over his shoulder. However, I think he cut too close to the car in the other lane because of the way the guy honked at ds. I told ds that unless the guy was a total jerk no one honks like that unless they really think the other driver did something wrong. But ds, being a guy (there's a reason insurance rates for boys stay higher longer than for girls!), said "oh I knew I had room" and "I could tell by his speed..." and blah blah blah. I didn't want to argue with him while we were driving but I sure did when we got home. I reminded him that there's a reason we tell our 5-year-olds not to cross the street until they see no cars -- it's because they are not a good judge of speed. The same for a new driver -- they most likely do not have that "feel" that we have for how fast another car is going. The funny thing is that yesterday when we were driving home (from his job) he voluntarily said he was going the other way, a route that involves city driving not major road. I'm wondering if that incident scared him. lol. Good, be scared a little bit, it might save his life someday. My dh is pretty unflappable but sadly I can't leave the driving all to him because he works long hours. So he can't have ds drive to and from work, or have him drive up to the grocery store or whatever. I do insist that he does weekend practice, but the daily stuff falls on me. Did I mention a gin and tonic? several? |
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Post by Monica* on Aug 12, 2015 13:14:53 GMT
Teaching my 16-yr-old twins now. Yikes! No fun.
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Post by mommy2sandb on Aug 12, 2015 13:40:57 GMT
My oldest just turned 15 and is now eligible to get her learners permit. She is just waiting to be ready to take the driving test and I have been so grateful for the delay!
Did you guys use any outside resources to teach your kids? Obviously I know how to drive, but wondered if you used a check list so you don't forget to teach something?
I am also having my girl friend make a big STUDENT DRIVER sticker to put on my car as a joke for when I take her to pass her test! I can't wait to see her face!
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Post by cmhs on Aug 12, 2015 13:48:30 GMT
I freely admit that I just can't do it. My younger dd is learning right now. I've not been in the car with her yet. I'm far too anxious and jumpy, and my entire family is aware of that. So my dh is handling driving practice, at least for now. Ditto. I could have written this word for word. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 12:28:23 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2015 13:54:32 GMT
My 15 year old, (almost 16), got his permit and now he has an I don't care attitude if he drives.  I paid money for that drivers ed class! I want to know how everyone first starts out? I want to start very very small. Like having him drive me to the grocery store and make him park at the very back. |
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Post by utmr on Aug 12, 2015 13:56:08 GMT
Me too. One finishing up the supervised driving and eager to take the test and another who just passed the permit test so ready to get that and start the driving portion.
First one is getting better, but we still need to do more freeway and parallel parking practice. The other hasn't ventured past the parking lot stage yet.
They're doing well, but it's hard for me. (Mashing my imaginary brake pedal)
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,947
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Post by peppermintpatty on Aug 12, 2015 13:59:05 GMT
My 16 yo dd has her learners. I was very nervous until she told me it made her nervous to drive with me. I just learned to be observant but understand I had no control. I have relaxed a lot and it is easier to be in the car with her. She is a good driver and she has done everything, rush hour on the Washington DC beltway, drives on the interstate every day to go to work, drives in DC traffic every day. Honestly, the local roads are worse than the interstates. She has all her hours and only has one more in-car.
She need practice on the parking aspect for the test but not parallel parking since they dropped it. Dh took her out to practice and he was helping her parallel park and another parent came over and told dh that she didn't need that for the test anymore, dh politely told him that she still needed to be able to do it so why not learn it now.
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Post by kandie on Aug 12, 2015 14:01:25 GMT
in our state at age 15 1/2 you can start driving in a car with an adult. My DD has been driving with me since March 10. She is now in drivers Ed.
I am just now starting to relax when in the car but admit I was very very very nervous at first!!
get to do it all again next april with my younger daughter!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 12:28:23 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2015 14:08:59 GMT
My son will be learning next year. He's old enough to get it now, but I can't do it. DH is deployed and there's no way, I can handle practicing with my son.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 12:28:23 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2015 14:14:17 GMT
DH taught both my kids -- I was too anxious and stressed them out. I'd do little trips with them, but he did the majority of the teaching. Honestly, the driver's ed driving classes weren't all that good. They learned everything from DH -- mostly how to react to things and how to predict and assess what's going on around them.
They both started in big empty parking lots. They didn't go on the road until they had a good 5-6 hours in the lots. It took that long to get comfortable with the controls and technique.
The state require 40 or 50 hours of practice with a parent on the permit before taking their driving test. DD needed more than that until we were comfortable with her driving on her own. DS was fine before he hit the 40 hours.
DH is an EXCELLENT and patient teacher. He did a great job.
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Post by anxiousmom on Aug 12, 2015 14:21:16 GMT
Last time I drove my mother somewhere, she had her hand on the 'oh sh*t' handle and her foot on the imaginary brake. I am 49 years old, a turtle moves faster than I drive and haven't even gotten a ticket since I was 20. She says that it is just habit.  The boys make me crazy when I drive with them. They have no concept of where they should put their hands on the steering wheel.  |
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Post by Flowergirl on Aug 12, 2015 14:30:05 GMT
My 15 year old, (almost 16), got his permit and now he has an I don't care attitude if he drives. I paid money for that drivers ed class! I want to know how everyone first starts out? I want to start very very small. Like having him drive me to the grocery store and make him park at the very back. We started out in big empty parking lots to teach starting up the car/braking, turns and backing up and then moved on to cemeteries (good place to practice turning and you can't kill anyone!). From there we did neighborhood driving (we live in a development in the suburbs) so good for low speed driving, turns, stop signs, watching out for people etc. Then we moved out of the development to the town roads that are 40mph or so. After many times practicing that, DH let DD drive to the bank at non-peak traffic time about 1.5 miles away with one red light intersection. She had a judgement error there that could have been an accident, but it wasn't. DH came home with 57 more gray hairs from that trip. From there we do small trips around town (busy suburb) and when that's mastered, we head out to the dreaded highways at non-peak times. |
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IAmUnoriginal
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,894
Jun 25, 2014 23:27:45 GMT
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Post by IAmUnoriginal on Aug 12, 2015 14:38:39 GMT
DS starts drivers ed when school starts on the 24th. He took the written test before school let out in the spring and will receive his permit during the first week of classes. We will be driving with him before the month is out. Yikes! My nerves are already shot. I want to send him back to where I grew up to learn on country roads with no traffic instead of suburban Chicago. He's excited. I'm figuring that there are some very early Sunday mornings in my future. That's about the only time it's quiet enough around us for a brand new driver.
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And my son is doing a good job, and he's older than 16 so he's not a kid. And I'm still really nervous. ugh. -- We live right near the Metro and multiple bus lines so ds just never bothered to get a license. But now he's planning to move to Georgia to live with friends and go to school, and apparently out where they'll live there are no buses and there certainly isn't a subway system. "It's just country roads, mom..." lol. So, he's learning to drive. 
I paid money for that drivers ed class!
