He's Going To Drive Me Crazy

As I sit in the passenger's seat as my children are learning to drive, I remember the saying that my grandfather told my father as he taught him how to drive years ago. It went something like this: "you make me so nervous that my butt cheeks are pinching holes through the seat." It's a colorful expression, but something I can really relate to.

Joseph took his learners permit test today and on his first try he passed. I had decided after I taught the girls how to drive that I wouldn't push Joe into studying for the test or push him into driving in any way. The only help I gave him was to locate the student manual a few months ago. It was his idea today to take the written test.

In Utah you need to have your learners permit for six months before getting your license. Joe will not get be able to get his license on the day he turns 16. He will need to wait about 2 weeks after his birthday.

The first place I take my children to learn how to drive is a school parking lot on Sunday afternoons. After I gain confidence that they know how to work the gas pedal, and more importantly the brake, I let them drive home. To get to this point takes a few weeks.

Our next step is driving to church and then to the store. Driving on State Street with a new driver is always a scary experience. By the time my children get their required 30 hours of driving, I have aged quite a bit.

Now for the next six months, Joe is going to drive me crazy. He will be asking, pleading, and begging me to let him drive.

I have a saying I like to repeat to my children as they make me nervous while they are learning how to drive, I think I got it from Bonnie, but I'm not sure. The saying goes something like "I won't die without yelling, screaming and putting up a fight!"