You know? The heart of a mother is made so strong isn’t it? I mean…with all the schtuff we’re made to deal with? I was nervous when my oldest got her license…and you’d think that would have prepped me for Middle Child getting hers? Nope.
The other night she had two parties to go to. One was a dinner party at a local restaurant about a 20 minute drive. From there she’d go to her friends sleepover, another 25 minutes drive time. This after having her license for 3 short days. Oh, and did I mention it was dark out? Very dark out? And did I mention she was driving by herself…for the first time?
She went out and started the car. Shane followed to give her some last minute instructions. First, she didn’t remember how to turn the headlights on. So he showed her and she was ready to go. Then she started the car. Again. *crannnkkk-eeekkkk-grrriiind*
“That’s what it sounds like when you start a car that is already running”, Shane said.
She pulls out of the driveway and Shane mumbles “Oh…God help us”. Let’s just say that it seemed like forever and a day til I got the text that she arrived at the first stop.
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The other day was the first day she was able to drive herself and her brother to school. By themselves. In rush hour. I had one rule. Text me when you arrive. Simple right? Apparently not. Ten minutes after the 20 minute drive should of ended I still hadn’t received a text. I texted Alan. No response. I texted MC, no response. Fifteen more minutes go by. Then 20, then 30. All I could picture was them being cut out of a massive wreck, entangled in air bags. Finally with a sick stomach and heavy heart I figured I had two choices. One, to take a ride and see if the car was at school….or…two to call the attendance office. I opted for the call. And yep…they were there.
office lady: (giggles) “New driver, ehh?”
“yes. I had one request. Text me. ”
office lady: “Oh, my daughter thought you could turn left on red…don’t feel bad.”
So when they got home from school I expressed my stress and anger with the failed text messaging. Explaining things like common courtesy, yadda yadda. She ‘didn’t hear’ that request. That one request I made. Ughhh. But the good news is that she did state one fact:
“You know mom? I am more alert in the morning now that I’m driving myself”
“Not alert enough to hear me say TEXT ME WHEN YOU GET THERE, apparently.”
*clutches heart looks up and says ”Lizbeth, I’m comin to join ya!”*
I'm Sheila. In addition to raising 1 husband and 3 teens, I've founded 
My mother would not let my brother ride with me for a year after I got my license!
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Can I just say that I’m terrified. Terrified. Of my kids driving. My oldest just turned fifteen and my husband let her drive the minivan around an empty parking lot. He did not let her put her foot on the accelerator though…I suppose it’s better that she never know it’s there.
I’m not ready. I’m so not ready. I can see why you were a wreck. Kids and their selective hearing. Ugh.
GOSH and to think I only waited 27 years! NOW YA KNOW
One more to go and the worrying stops…..ya think?
Oh Sheila – I feel for you. My kids aren’t even close to driving but just sending them to a friend’s house alone (only up a block) gives me heart palpitations.
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This is when the gray hairs are earned ;P
Wow… All I have to say is according to my mother I almost hit her when I first learned to drive… with Dad riding shot gun. I told her there was plenty of room. LOL!
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I am glad my kids aren’t even close to driving yet! I will probably have a heart attack when they get to that point!
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I won’t even tell you how I felt when my son, a new driver, had to drive the freeways of LA by himself . . .
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Our high school was 4/10 of a mile from our house and I still made her call when she got there.
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It doesn’t get any easier from here!!!!! You just have to worry about every other driver on the road now!
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LOLOL, hon, I’m right there with you…I would be a nervous wreck!!
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It is so funny to hear it from the mom’s point of view! I loved this post! So this must have been how my mom felt when I first got my license! Funny thing is that now she is letting my little sister (her 5th child) drive without her once in awhile at 14! I can’t understand that much….
I love your writing – so very entertaining and relatable! I hope she remembers to text you next time!
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Aw, my heart would go into panic mode too.
Oh the things they put us through!
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What?? You aren’t supposed to go left at a red light? Maybe that’s why I’ve been getting a lot of beeping and raised middle fingers all these years.
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“That’s what it sounds like when you start a car that is already running”, Shane said.
LOL! I still do that! She’ll learn, believe it or not, and so glad you are adjusting to the whole new thang! (LOL) I was exactly the same when my kid was new at driving.
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I’m so not ready for a day when my kid can drive. Though I had to giggle about starting the car that’s already started. I did that way more than my fair share when I was learning to drive!
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I am so behind………sorry.
I am the mom who says, text when you leave, text when you arrive, if I’m not at one end of that spectrum. My girls have short sweet messages, going to school, at school, coming home, home, going to X etc. I don’t need long stuff, just let me know you are alive ………ha ha.
I have more grey hair, I know it!
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