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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My 16-year-old just got his learner's permit and today I took him out for his first practice drive. We started in a parking lot to get the feel of things, then spent about a half hour driving various side streets.

I have to say he did just fine... didn't drive too fast, didn't do anything stupid, didn't hit any cars, etc. In spite of how well it went, I felt like a nervous wreck the whole time! UGH! Even though I was shaking inside, I remained calm on the outside because I didn't want to make things worse for him, but does it ever get any better? I didn't expect it to be so nerve-wracking! I hated it!!! Now I am absolutely dreading this whole teaching him how to drive thing. I've been driving for over 30 years so it is second nature to me, but seeing it through the eyes of a brand new driver made me realize just how many little decisions we make as drivers and how alert we have to be to anticipate what other drivers are going to do and the stupid things they might do that we have to be aware of.

I'm just venting because I know this part of parenting is not optional but how do you get through this? There wasn't even that much traffic and we stayed on the side streets, so it's only going to get worse as we start doing more challenging things. I don't feel like I wil be up for this. We're going to be paying for a private instructor but at this point I feel like I just want to back out of it and let me husband do all the parent-teaching. Am i just being a wimp?[/quote]

You are far from being a wimp.  [b]You have raised this girl for sixteen years and even though your husband has helped you have been in control of her life for those years.[/b]  Suddenly you find yourself on the other side of the car and you realize that you have absolutely no control over the operation of the car.  It is a scary thing.  The worst thing you can do is to show any sign of fear.  Stay in the neighborhoods for now and talk her through most situations as in "now we have a stop sign up here, so try to come to a smooth stop".  "Now you choose which way you want to go but be sure to look both ways"  If you let her choose the route instead of you being the navigator she will gain confidence and before long she will be driving you to the store.

It won't get worse.  It will get better as she gets better.  Why do you need to pay for a private instructor unless you live in a state that requires this?

[/quote]

What kind of sexist drivel is that? And psst - Op's child is a boy.[/quote]

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