HawthorneVillager.com

Is it just me or were you also a nervous wreck when your teen daughter/son first drove you when they were learning to drive? My daughter just got her G1 and my dh has been teaching her how to drive on side roads but I have never gone with them. Today while I was home alone with her she talked me into letting her take me for a drive around our neighbourhood as she wanted to show me how well she is doing and after much pleading from her I foolishly relented and gave in.

Needless to say it was the longest ten minutes of my life & my daughter kept bugging me to let her drive me on a busier road while I was trying to stay calm as we passed parked cars and the odd dog walker at higher rates of speed then I felt comfortable. It didn't help when my daughter disclosed that she is less nervous with me beside her then my husband as he keeps his hand above the emergency brake ever since she almost ran into the tree out on her first lesson. (Probably just as well my dh never disclosed that little tidbit.)

We plan to have her take lessons from Young Drivers of Canada in the spring when the weather is good but for now I am just thankful my husband is teaching her cause not sure when I'll ever be calm enough to let her drive me again. I swear I now have much more respect for driving school instructors, surely their profession is more dangerous then we give them credit for.


Makes me wish my dad was still alive so I could throw my arms around him and thank him for teaching me to drive cause I now realize how scared he must of been too when I first begged him to teach me. I was never so relieved as when we pulled back into the driveway and I was able to stumble on out - nerves shot but body and vehicle still intact.

When I first got my G1 I was not allowed to touch the family car until after I did the lesson thing.

Ony problem with that is driving lessons are usually only 1 - 2 hours a week so usually you need to supplement that in order to get enough practical experience in.

You should not be supplementing the lessons (which is normally 10 hours in car, regardless of how quick you book them)

*AFTER* lessons finished if kid feels like not ready for test then you let them squeeze in an extra lesson or let them drive the family car

You need to buy your teen one of these keys...doesn't teach you to drive, but keeps their driving in check...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2237435/How-teenage-proof-car-New-key-allow-parents-restrict-speed-youngsters-drive.html

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Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away.

When I was learning to drive, my mom's friend would take me out to practice...and my mom would take out her daughter of the same age. It was better because the mom who drove with me, wasn't nervous because it wasn't her car and wasn't her daughter. My mom was the same with her daughter...so it worked. At least we got some practice in in addition to the Young Driver's lessons.

we were downtown once when I was still learning. My dad let me drive home, with the plan that I would take Lakeshore west. Coming down York (I think) he said 'OK make your first right', which I did. Thing is the first right was the on-ramp for the Gardiner, not Lakeshore.

I'll never forget the combination of anger and fear that coarsed through him when he realized the error. He yelled 'STAY IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND DON'T CROSS 80'. I was pretty confident in my abilities at that point, but he was so wound up that it freaked me out. My dad is the best.

I'm sure it's nerve-racking in the passenger seat, but try to do your best to stay calm. Also being winter, next time it snows, take her to an empty parking lot and have her mess around in there.

I bet your dad still remembers that day you ended up on the Gardiner. lol For now on my husband will continue to help my daughter, (thankfully he's got life insurance being the soul breadwinner in the family lol) I'm staying out of it. He'll definitely help her learn how to deal with winter road conditions preferably in a humungous parking lot. lol After she gets her full license we may spring for her to get additional driving lessons at one of those places that teach you higher driving skills.

Personally I think she should of waited till the spring to get her G1 so she could of started lessons right away. I just don't think it would be as advantageous to have her take lessons over the next several weeks when the weather will be crappy.

I strongly disagree. I was taught extensively by my parents before going through driver training with Young Drivers, and definitely got a lot more out of the training since we didn't have to waste time on very basic techniques. That said, I started in empty parking lots, then graduated to empty country roads and quiet residential areas. I also can't imagine how anyone would be ready for their driving test after only 10 hours in a car?

Totally agree that a few hours of driving lessons is not nearly enough for being adequately prepared for driving exam. However shawnrk1 loves to argue regardless of the subject.

Soupy glad that worked out for you but I would be even more terrified to be responsible for another person's child.

Ever had someone drive your own car? You're more nervous with someone else driving your own car as opposed to you being the passenger in someone else's car. It's the same deal...it's worse with your own kid, ok with someone else's I lived in the country too, so it wasn't around crazy drivers like it is here. Take her to Elora or something where it's not busy to start out

My dad picked me up from school everyday when I got my beginners and I drove us the 11km home through town into the country. We also stopped for newspapers or whatever he needed to bring home. He is normally very loud and nit picky and he was when he was driving too. I remember being so nervous but he really seemed ok. I felt like I was born to drive and I took my test in January. I think taking the course in the winter would be a great idea! Driving in summer is too easy.

I agree. Taught by parents, drove on less busy roads. I grew up in Mississauga, and had a friend out in Milton. We used to take backroads, along Dundas, and then up Trafalgar and across Old Base Line, into Milton and got comfortable driving that way. After that I took a drivers education program, did my hours in the car, and took driving test, and shortly after was on my own.

I don't recommend anyone do their driving course and then end up on the road after 10 hrs. Thats crazy. You need to supplement the driving program with lots of quality hours in the car with an experienced driver.

I'm sure your son will do great, wishing you all the best! What driver's ed is your son with?