My son just got his learner's permit.

[Mass]

He is 17 tomorrow and asked to take the test. We said yes and were nearly sure he would fail (he did not really prepare for it). And he passed the test.

Now, I am getting worried. I just cannot imagine him behind the wheel. He is still a baby in my mind. How will he be able to drive?

Well, I guess he has to learn someday. It is just that I am not ready.

[whometense]

1. Oh, Mass...

My UTMOST sympathies. I think the hardest part of parenthood is when your kids (and their friends!) start driving. It's so scary. But I'll say this - you are not alone.

I assume he took (or is going to take) driver's ed? That is helpful - especially the scare films they show them. We My husband took our two older kids out A LOT, and we didn't allow them to take their driving tests until we felt they were ready. That's the parent's ultimate power - that you can make your kids prove to you that they are good drivers - and mature enough to handle the responsibility - before they get a chance to go out on their own.

My older son was a total space cadet, and yet he's a fine driver. My daughter is an excellent driver too. And our youngest decided after he took driver's ed that he wanted no part of driving, and never got his license (we're in an urban area, transportation is very easy, so he can get away with it). The thing is, we all get through it. I recommend stocking up on this stuff:


http://www.vitacost.com/HylandsCalmsForte-100Tabs

Seriously.

[sandnsea]

2. Awwww

How sweet. First teen-aged driver. Another parenting milestone.

Liquor cabinet stocked?

I've taught 3 to drive. Maybe the lack of hormones isn't what frazzled my brain. :rofl:

[TayTay]

3. Teaching my son to drive was soooooo scary

I ended up taking him out on most nights and I was a nervous wreck. I am still nervous when he goes out and he's has his license for a year and a half.

I understand, like you woouldn't believe. That undid me. My test of parenting and I just barely passed.

[fedupinBushcountry]

4. I was a nervous wreck

Been there done that and I was horrible. took my oldest out one time, and he was already going through the driver's Ed at school. I'll never forget it, I took him out on to a big main street and I thought I would have a heart attack. We got back into our neighborhood, and there was a girl on a bike and I yelled pull over , or you'll hit the girl (which by the way he probably wouldn't have). He pulled over and got out and started walking home, and the worse thing about it was, his girlfriend was in the car. I embarrassed the shit out of him. It wasn't him it was me, I just could not handle it.

From that day forward, I told my husband there is no way I can do this, so he was the one who did the deed. Even now and he has been driving for 12 years, I still yell out the door, put your seat belt on to all 3 of my kids.

To me it is one of the hardest things to get through being a parent.

[TayTay]

5. Outside of giving birth and those hospital visits

This was one of the worst. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires young drivers on a learner's permit to have 12 hours of driving with a parent. I did 8 of those hours in a friggin parking lot, 2 more in a graveyard (well, you can't hurt anyone there) and 2 on 'open roads.' It was awful.

I learned how to drive in the city of Boston. My kids only have to learn how to drive in East Podunk. I have no idea why this so completely bothered me, but it did. My son was so embarrassed to be driving with me. "Mom, can we go somewhere besides the school parking lot?" "Ah, no, we have to practice the 3 point turn. It's a good time. It's 8:00 am on Sunday, there's no one here. go for it."

Heart attack time for sure and certain. thank God for the driving school. They took my kid out on the highway and such. But damn, that kid knows his way around a parking lot, let me tell you.

[sandnsea]

6. Exactly what I did, lol

Empty parking lot for at least a month. But I did do the rest too. Empty roads out of town, then quiet neighborhoods in town. Then, oh 2-3 months later, we tackled the major artery of my town, the 4 lane highway, 2 each way.

But city traffic? Freeways? Oh hell no. None of them have ever caused an accident, so I guess I did all right, knock on every tree in the forest.

[muse]

7. Gosh, my child is going to do it this summer at age 15!

In some ways, I want him to drive. I'm a single parent and could use a second driver. I DREAD the whole thing, though.