This has been the worst part of parentng yet.  My teenage son and driving, he just got his license and he mostly drives around our area.  It seems he really struggles when we go into the city and I haven't allowed him on the expressway yet.  I just get really scared when I drive with him.  He is upset because all of his friends can drive on the expressway and he can't, he will be 18 next month and I know I have to teach him but it just scares me to death.  This is one time it would be great to have a husband.  I wish I could pay someone to do it for me.  Has anyone else felt this way? 

My DD is only 5 so I'm not at the point of worrying about her driving yet.  However, I would like to encourage you to have your son take a defensive driving course.  These are often inexpensive and offered through community colleges.  In some cases, taking and passing this course will also lower his insurance premium thus negating the cost of the class.  Finally, it may give both of you the boost in confidence needed -- you to allow him to drive and him b/c he'll be a better driver.  Good luck to you both!

happygerl:

Has anyone else felt this way? 

Oh yeah, Happygerl! I know exactly how you feel. Giving up the driver's seat to a teenaged child scares the you-know-what out of me!

My 15-year-old DD has her learner's permit, and she has only been behind the wheel once. We have a rule that she is not allowed to drive with her baby brother (6-month-old) in the car, so that has left little time for her to learn. Thankfully, DH will be home next month, and then she will get to learn on a more regular basis.

In our state, she MUST attend a professionally licensed driving school, and it is not cheap. She has saved up for half, and we said we'd chip in the other half.

Do you know a patient adult who would be willing to take your son on the freeway? Since he already has his license, it might be easier to get someone to teach him. Or, is there a time of day when your freeways are not congested? Early morning on the weekends? Maybe then you could take him out on them for a quick lesson.

A wise man told my daughter, "Be patient with your parents right now. They are scared to death that you're going to make the same mistakes they did when they were young." I think that's it in a nutshell.

This is my second go round with a teenage drive and yes, it scares the you-know-what out of me still!  DS#2 has his learners permit.  DH takes him out just about every day to let him drive and DH's tells me he is doing really well.  He had been on the interstate a couple of times but is still mostly driving in town. 

I also think finding an adult that both you and your son trust to help teach him how to drive on the interstate might be a good idea.  Good luck to you and the rest of us that are teaching teenagers to drive.

Shellia 

 

happygerl:

Has anyone else felt this way?

I have a different sort of problem. My daughter,who will be nineteen come October, has not yet passed her driving test to get a license. This has limited her ability to find decent paying jobs and has put her in the position of struggling since she decided to move out on her own last year.

She is currently at our house trying to decide what she should do about her situation.

Driving, not driving..it's all rough. It was easier when they were three. Why aren't they three??

 

I know exactly what you mean, Brandy! We had a family party for my DSs birthday over the weekend and he just turned 25.What happened? This is my baby son, ( we have 3 sons)

It seems like it was not long ago that I was teaching him to drive a stick shift, by letting him drive to school.No, I don't think I would want to repeat that part,LOL

Donna

donna england:

No, I don't think I would want to repeat that part,LOL

I understand that. I worried when my daughter began learning to drive. At this time, I wish she would pass her to test so she could actually do so.

 

 We have 3 daughters and the youngest will be 20 in October.  I completely understand your anxiety over allowing your child to drive on the freeway.  However, he really needs to learn how to deal with traffic.  I suggest you begin going with him on short trips on the freeway at non-rush hour times.  Experience does really make a safer driver. Your fear is founded but it also inhibits him from developing needed skills.  You may want to check with your insurance company about getting a camera installed in your car.  It was free with our insurance company, American Family.  The camera is designed to help new drivers develop good driving skills.  It is not meant to "spy" on the kids.  It records events such as quick breaking or speeding.  Our youngest daughter had a camera in her car for about a year.  Sometimes the camera would record things that weren't necessary.  For instance, it recordered her driving in the wrong lane but the right lane was closed for construction.  It almost always recordered her pulling into our driveway because the car would bump.  However, it was a good learning tool and gave positive and negative feedback.  Parents were sent an email of "events."  Good luck. 

 this summer I am teaching DD, age 17 to drive. We havent done the Interstate highway yet. She is a little nervous about it and so am I. I think DH should do that part. She is doing good. She iwll be 18 in Sept and will get her license then. I will be happy to have another driver in the house. Babs

Brandy:

It was easier when they were three. Why aren't they three??

Because we feed them. LOL