For me, maybe it's a control thing. Actually, probably no "maybe" about it. Maybe control and a little PTSD from a couple car accidents--wherein people have hit me. Most of all, it is a humbling experience, because it makes me realize how much stuff I do without thinking about it. How do you turn your wheels without running into the car parked next to you. How do you you turn left from a multiple lane turn lane into a multiple lane busy street. How do you look over your shoulder without turning the wheel with your head and accidentally drifting into the next lane?
So, three years ago, I taught a teenager ...and now, Groundhog Day! Only, just like personalities, their driving "opportunities" are so very different. How can that be? Same DNA. Same upbringing. Same "official" behind-the-wheel teacher. One couldn't park in a spot to save his life. The other--well, I'm thinking about wearing a neck brace as a standard feature on the passenger side.
The last couple weeks have provided for several "memories" that will last me until my death bed--I'm just hoping that it isn't before I see this kid with a license. :)
This one is different in personality too. Instead of telling me how my 30 years of experience do not mean anything like my older driver did, my youngest just smiles and says, "Uh...sorry...I screwed that up." My favorite line was, "I only have trouble with acceleration, slowing down, turns, and speed." Now really, how can you get mad at that? Acceptance is the first step.
Answer: Well, imagine not even slowing down at a 4-way stop because he is afraid of the tailgater that is behind him is too close. As we drove (I mean not even slowed down) through the intersection, "stop. Stttooop... STTTOOOPPPP.... (*#@ STOP!" came out of my mouth. Yea, I know, not one of my proudest Mom Moments.
He stopped. 200 feet after the intersection.
"Let's talk about what just happened," I said in as calm voice as I could muster.
"Well, I was afraid the car behind me was going to hit me."
"Let me tell you about laws...and insurance....LET HIM HIT YOU because you stopped. He will get a ticket. His insurance will pay for the wreck," as my patience was almost non-existent.
"But then the airbag would come out...and I'm skinny...and it would hurt," he retorted with the biggest smile I've seen on his face.
Uh...Ok....point for new driver. OH. My. Goodness. Please let me live through this experience. :)
My favorite experience in the last two weeks, however, was when said offspring drove to dinner. He pulled into the parking spot--twice, because while his skinny butt could have gotten out of the car had he been a passenger, my "all about the bass" butt could not have.
A dad and his daughter were getting in a truck next to us--watching what was I'm sure a true sitcom. Backstory: I had a crazy couple weeks at work. I was tired. I was starving. I was EXCEEDINGLY short on patience. My chauffeur (I'll call him LaLa Larry) was thinking about ANYTHING except what he had learned the last couple of weeks. ...but, boy, was he happy! Me--not so much.
After we got out of the car, the dad who had decided to sit in his car (and not backout until it was safe) rolled down the window and gave both me and LaLa words of encouragement. We all laughed. He proceeded to tell me that his "sentence" was coming in a month, as the teenage daughter let out a "Daaaaaadddd...". I suggested he request a prescription for Xanex--NOW.
LaLa and I walked inside the restaurant. I asked "my chauffeur" if he locked the car. Without saying a word, he turned around, went back outside--and started walking to the car. Although I thought it was odd, I took a deep breath...and watched.
As he got closer to the car, I could see him laughing. He reached inside, then closed the door.
As LaLa came back into the restaurant, I heard these words through hysterical laughter, "Not only did I leave the keys in the car, as I got closer to it, I heard it running." (Did I mention that I do things without thinking about them?
I tried the...."Now let's just talk about what happened here," but the words just wouldn't come out. Instead I laughed until I had tears.
O.k. note to self: don't get distracted and make sure he turns off the car--even if there is an audience. And, oh yea, make sure the insurance is paid.
Motherhood. The things that nobody warned you about, but I love every minute of it. Well, most minutes of it! :) I mean the minutes that I'm not screaming and begging for my safety.