Having a kid in these classes ride in a car with you is trying on your patients. The other day she was telling me about her friend taking her driving test, which she failed the first go around. She said one thing she did not do is signal when she turned into a parking space.
My lovely teen pointed out to me I do not signal when I park. I said, "I do when there is a car behind me." Her response, "NO, you don't ever signal in a parking lot! You're supposed to." I told her again that I do, but she must not have seen me or noticed.
Now she watches every move I make when I am driving. Considering this, I am doing everything from signaling when there is not another car in sight, stopping completely at every stop sign, and putting my hands at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel.
For the last year or so, I have been enlightening her on specific traffic laws. For instance, there is a little known law that requires you to have your headlights on if your windshield wipers are on. I did not know about the law until I heard it on the radio. Apparently, the DJ was pulled over and got a ticket for it. So, I guess it's a good thing to know.
I hope I can survive driver's education. We are coming to the end of the second week with two more to go. She is getting her learner's permit next week. God, help me!
Posts
Hi! Kids are very observant, especially mine. When I was teaching them to drive they had a habit of bringing everything I did wrong into the conversation. I think they used it against me as their line of defense. Do as I say and not as I do was my line of defense back at them!
ReplyDeleteTake Care,
Peter
MUse:
ReplyDeleteI sympathize with your situation but, believe me, you will survive. I'm not saying you won't have a nervous break down, you probably will, but you'll survive. I should know, we had four of the little darlings take driver's Ed. And we're still here! Amazing. You might say, it was the best of times---it was the worst of times. And I know what you mean about how much they think they know at that age. We are proud of them for learning so much and becoming adults, but please---I'm not stupid!
The biggest problem I too my very first driver's test was when I came to an intersection and there was a stop sign and a signal. The signal was green. What to do? Well, I made a quick, one-second stop and then continued on down the street. Wouldn't you just know--that was wrong. The light always takes precedence over a stop sign. Boo-hoo.
Happy trails.
You will both survive, although not without your share of headaches!
ReplyDeleteI remember those days, and when my daughter took the wheel those first few times and drove right through stop signs! It was as if they just were not there. Needless to say, I was mortified. Trying not to overreact is a real challenge!
Now she tells ME what to do when I'm driving. In life, the tables always turn... :)
I guess that's why floorboards are metal. I recall many a stomp and lots of clenched teeth. My daughter sprained her ankle badly and I had to drive her around recently. So it was her turn to grit her teeth and try not to comment on my driving!
ReplyDeleteJust be glad you don't live in snow country, where the kids spin out in parking lots. To practice...or so they claim.
Hi Peter!
ReplyDeleteAmen!!! I must be the worst driver on the planet. Well, at least, according to her.
Have a good one!
Hey Swu!
ReplyDeleteOh my God, FOUR!!! I don't know if I can take the last week and a half of this. Then we have to go through her driving with the instructor for so many hours...
She wants me to let her drive to and from class. I told her my heart could not take it after the first go around. Dad's going to take her driving from now on.
Take care!
Hello Lynda!
ReplyDeleteYes the tables do turn. I can't wait for the day she becomes a parent. Well, wait a minute, yes I can wait. All I'm saying is she will be in know one day.
Have a wonderful day!
Hi Kathy!
ReplyDeleteSnow! Oh no. Did you know our city shuts down on a call for ice. The last time it snowed here it was like a ghost town in a city of millions!
We don't do weather here.
My mother had her little brake action on the floorboard also. She hated the way my dad drove and always let him know it by hitting her "brake". He always threatened to install a dummy brake for her.
Have a great day!
LOL! I can totally picture this. I know my parents drove me crazy when I was learning to drive, but now that you mention this I'm pretty certain I probably annoyed them, too. Take heart: soon you'll never have to drive your daughter anywhere.
ReplyDeleteHi Caryn!
ReplyDeleteHow true! I'm also thinking designated driver every once and a while.
Take care!
Hi! Just popped in to see how the driving lessons are going. Going on your recent comment I see you haven't been wiped out by your enthusiastic daughter! Any dents though?
ReplyDeleteTake Care,
Peter
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHey Peter!
ReplyDeleteI've got moderation on comments on posts over 15 days. So you're comment was there I just had not gotten here yet.
No dents yet, thank God! We did have a couple of really close calls. Right now she's in the driving part of the course. 14 hours. She has to drive 50 hours with us, ten of that must be at night...
I really need to post. I didn't realize it's been 15+ days since my last one...Ah summertime.
Have a good one!
Hmm, I didn't know about the lights and windshield wipers law, thanks for the heads up, I hope your daughter does well on her test.
ReplyDeleteHi Brittany!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know either, until I heard it on the radio. It's another one of those tricky trap laws I guess.
Thanks! We're still working on racking up her driving hours. She'll be finished with the Driver's Ed portion on Sunday (July 19).
Take care!