March 7, 2006 02:12 PM
My Life in Her Hands
Sometimes I sit on my hands when I'm in the passenger seat of my car. Not all the time, though, and not as much lately as I did a few months ago. It may sound strange, unless you have a teenager who's learning to drive. Then you probably understand exactly what I'm talking about.
I sit on my hands because when your kid starts driving, you have to work really hard to stifle the Mommy Car Safety Instinct. You know, the one that makes you swing your arm out in front of your child when you are driving and you hit your brakes suddenly. I'm pretty sure it's the same instinct that makes you want to grab the steering wheel when your teen is about to make a big mistake when they’re learning to drive. If you're not quite tempted to snatch the wheel from them, you might just feel compelled to grip the door handle or anything you can find to stabilize yourself when you're sure they’re about to hit a curb or a mailbox or anything else.
I'm trying to be a patient mom, really, I am. But placing my first-born in control of a 5,000-pound vehicle, well, it isn't easy. But what can I do? I gave birth to her, raised her, watched her ride an emotional roller coaster through middle school, and now I'm letting her drive. As much as I'd like to keep her safe and in the nest as long as possible, I know that would be a mistake. She's growing up, and will be a woman soon. And I have to let her become one.
I'm just happy she doesn't hate me anymore. Around the time she turned 14, she said: "I know I was a pain in the butt to you and Dad when I was in 6th and 7th grade. I'm sorry, I just really hated you guys." So I asked her, "Do you hate us now?" She said "Nah. It was too exhausting to hate you guys all the time. I'm glad that's over.”
Yeah. I'm glad it's over too.
Comments
Scary stuff. I'm pretty sure I'd be sitting on my hands, too!!
Haven't started teaching my 16 year old to drive yet. I know it's coming soon. I'm seriously dreading it.
Nice to see someone else going through it, too. Just for giggles, how much did your car insurance go up with a new driver in the house? I haven't checked into that, but have heard a few horror stories.
Posted by: Tammy at March 7, 2006 05:15 PM
Came in via BlogMad. Love the fortyish theme since I am in my early 40's, lol. Stop by sometime. :-)
Dariana
Posted by: Dariana at March 8, 2006 11:36 AM
Awesome writing here!
You bet, you have that "hand" thing down. I'll have to remember that, mine's almost 10 right now, and I still won't let her sit up front. LOL!
Anyhow - please keep writing - excellent blog and very personal. Thanks.
Lady M
Posted by: Lady M at March 9, 2006 10:35 AM
found you via BlogMad.
my daughter is 10 and i'm sooooooo not looking forward to all that comes with having a teenager. ~shakes head~
Posted by: Jen at March 13, 2006 11:29 AM
