13 year old practice driving

[Anonymous]

During lockdown one winter activity was letting our 13 year old learn how to drive in high school parking lots. She is 15 now but no permit age yet.

Would you judge a parent for letting their early teen practice driving like that? We wonder if our DD telling her friends about it will make us appear reckless. We are actually a very boring family this just came about in those dark days.

In general I want them driving a lot and early while still with us to develop skills.

[Anonymous]

Yes I would. Mostly because it’s a dumb way to spend time/gas - she won’t gain relevant skills she couldn’t have picked up in ten minutes when she was older.

[Anonymous]

Since you asked, yes I would judge. And I probably wouldn't let my child go in a car anywhere with you.

[Anonymous]

Well, a little since it's illegal in most states unless you are on private property.

It's also a maturity and brain development issue as much as a skill. There is a reason the driving age is 16 in most states.

I guess I just don't see the benefit. The dangerous part of driving is higher speeds and being around other cars. Years spent driving in a parking lot is just going to give her false confidence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:During lockdown one winter activity was letting our 13 year old learn how to drive in high school parking lots. She is 15 now but no permit age yet.

Would you judge a parent for letting their early teen practice driving like that? We wonder if our DD telling her friends about it will make us appear reckless. We are actually a very boring family this just came about in those dark days.

In general I want them driving a lot and early while still with us to develop skills.

Honestly, if I knew you did something like that my kid would not be allowed in your house again. If I learned about it at school (I'm a teacher) I'd be obligated to call CPS. I would advise your kid not to tell her friends that you broke the law.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:During lockdown one winter activity was letting our 13 year old learn how to drive in high school parking lots. She is 15 now but no permit age yet.

Would you judge a parent for letting their early teen practice driving like that? We wonder if our DD telling her friends about it will make us appear reckless. We are actually a very boring family this just came about in those dark days.

In general I want them driving a lot and early while still with us to develop skills.

Honestly, if I knew you did something like that my kid would not be allowed in your house again. If I learned about it at school (I'm a teacher) I'd be obligated to call CPS. I would advise your kid not to tell her friends that you broke the law.

What are you yammering about?

Damn you have never been on a farm.

[Anonymous]

A very bad start to driving, which requires knowledge of the rules and willingness to follow them. All the rest of us depend on her (and you) for that for our own safety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:During lockdown one winter activity was letting our 13 year old learn how to drive in high school parking lots. She is 15 now but no permit age yet.

Would you judge a parent for letting their early teen practice driving like that? We wonder if our DD telling her friends about it will make us appear reckless. We are actually a very boring family this just came about in those dark days.

In general I want them driving a lot and early while still with us to develop skills.

Honestly, if I knew you did something like that my kid would not be allowed in your house again. If I learned about it at school (I'm a teacher) I'd be obligated to call CPS. I would advise your kid not to tell her friends that you broke the law.

What are you yammering about?

Damn you have never been on a farm.

I doubt if OP lives on a farm. Probably you don't either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:During lockdown one winter activity was letting our 13 year old learn how to drive in high school parking lots. She is 15 now but no permit age yet.

Would you judge a parent for letting their early teen practice driving like that? We wonder if our DD telling her friends about it will make us appear reckless. We are actually a very boring family this just came about in those dark days.

In general I want them driving a lot and early while still with us to develop skills.

Honestly, if I knew you did something like that my kid would not be allowed in your house again. If I learned about it at school (I'm a teacher) I'd be obligated to call CPS. I would advise your kid not to tell her friends that you broke the law.

What are you yammering about?

Damn you have never been on a farm.

A farm doesn’t have a high school parking lot. Have YOU ever been on a farm?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:During lockdown one winter activity was letting our 13 year old learn how to drive in high school parking lots. She is 15 now but no permit age yet.

Would you judge a parent for letting their early teen practice driving like that? We wonder if our DD telling her friends about it will make us appear reckless. We are actually a very boring family this just came about in those dark days.

In general I want them driving a lot and early while still with us to develop skills.

Honestly, if I knew you did something like that my kid would not be allowed in your house again. If I learned about it at school (I'm a teacher) I'd be obligated to call CPS. I would advise your kid not to tell her friends that you broke the law.

What are you yammering about?

Damn you have never been on a farm.

It's not illegal to drive on your parents' farm if you're under 16. What OP did is illegal.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t care. Not helpful to learn driving, but just as good a way to pass the time as anything else. Am assuming empty parking lot, which sounds like this was. Anyone callling CPS over this (or thinking now their precious child can’t come to OP’s house) is completely ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's a big deal at all. But I'm from Texas, so maybe that colors my view.

[Anonymous]

I just want to know what winter we had a lockdown? The US only ever had stay at home orders and that was only in the Spring of 2020.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:During lockdown one winter activity was letting our 13 year old learn how to drive in high school parking lots. She is 15 now but no permit age yet.

Would you judge a parent for letting their early teen practice driving like that? We wonder if our DD telling her friends about it will make us appear reckless. We are actually a very boring family this just came about in those dark days.

In general I want them driving a lot and early while still with us to develop skills.

Honestly, if I knew you did something like that my kid would not be allowed in your house again. If I learned about it at school (I'm a teacher) I'd be obligated to call CPS. I would advise your kid not to tell her friends that you broke the law.

What are you yammering about?

Damn you have never been on a farm.

OP here. I’m quite surprised by the blowback here. I grew up in a rural area so kids driving around with their parents was very common. I guess we’ll dial it back until she is legal if it’s that big a deal that CPS would be involved.

I do believe early driving is important though to build an instinct and reflex even at low speeds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just want to know what winter we had a lockdown? The US only ever had stay at home orders and that was only in the Spring of 2020.

Okay the winter we personally were still afraid of catching COVID, were unvaccinated, and not seeing friends or family, for a very depressing holiday season.