Son at the wheel - monstrous?
It's not that we're a big car family. But the topics of «first driving lesson» and «finally getting your driving licence» have been a big issue for our son since his 15th birthday. Time and again, he has asked interested questions about what it feels like behind the wheel, when the right gear is engaged, whether the test is difficult and so on and so forth.
We parents took note of this with a smile; after all, his 18th birthday was still a long way off. And then bang, there it is. Gone are the days when Junior always relied on mum and dad in many matters. Regardless of whether it was about making decisions or even just about whether it was worth actually switching on his brain. But beware, in this case he did everything on his own! He chose his driving instructor and registered for the theory test.
Practise the questions via app, at least in theory
He downloaded an app. «You know, mum,» he said, «it's really easy, all the questions that could theoretically come up are on here. I just have to practise them.» Contrary to my nature, I didn't interfere, just asked quietly just before the exam date whether he was already sufficiently prepared. «I still have plenty of time,» he replied, two days before the date. And then put in a night shift. However, it was enough. He passed the theory part.
The first driving lesson
He returned home from his first driving lesson drenched in sweat. «Man, what stress!" he exclaimed, "the clutch, the handbrake, the accelerator and looking at the road at the same time!» And the way he said it catapulted me back to my early days as a car driver. How often did I hop out of the car park instead of rolling until the driving instructor, exasperated, took the wheel himself.
"Man, what a stress!"
My son after his first driving lesson
«Always tell me where you're travelling if you ever get your licence, because then I'll stay at home!» my driving instructor railed, which of course gave me an incredible amount of self-confidence. Totally tense, I held on to the steering wheel, right before left, pedestrians, cyclists, traffic lights, traffic signs, everything came crashing down on me! The first time I overtook a tractor on a country road after passing my test (yes, I actually got my licence at the second attempt), my whole body was shaking.
Suddenly it's time to really let go
The son does not yet have the test in the bag. He's missing a few hours and kilometres of driving experience. I'll be happy for him when he passes it. In principle, that is. Because at the same time, I know that I'll be faced with new fears if he then drives around on his own.
Similar to when he used to race through the neighbourhood streets in his Bobby Car. Maybe just a little more so now. Because now it's time to let go even more and trust even more that everything will be fine. In the end, it worked out for me too.
Picture: Tobi / Pexels
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