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Barb.b
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| Posted: Nov 03 2012 at 9:56am | IP Logged
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UGH - this is harder then I thought. Single mom + 20 hours driving practice required + 9 yr old ds = no time practice driving with dd.
Really! Can't leave ds home alone (not at 9 yrs old!). Really - no one to watch him while we drive (well you'd think his dad would -but thats another story  ).
Last week end we went to several elementary schools to practice in the parking lot and they ALL had a couple kids on the playground with a dad. Our plan was to let ds play on the playground while we drove in the parking lot. But I didn't KNOW these men that were at each playground with thier kids. . . couldn't help thinking dd and I would get concentrating on driving, look around not to find ds!
UGH. Just venting. . . but this driving thing ain't ever going to happen! What on earth do we do when we get out of the parking lot stage onto real streets!
Barb
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Nov 03 2012 at 10:36am | IP Logged
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Start looking for opportunities for your son to participate is something that he can be dropped off for?
Start looking specifically for a babysitter?
Start saving up money to pay for driver's ed?
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Barb.b
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| Posted: Nov 03 2012 at 10:59am | IP Logged
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Well - drivers ed around here includes what the state wants for INSTRUCTION. Not the 20 hours the teen needs for practice. In fact dd just finished the class room portion of drivers ed. Now we can sign up for the behind the wheel - but here in texas there is an ADDITIONAL 20 hours we need to do that the drivers ed schools just don't cover.
DS goes somewhere mondays from about 4:15- 5:30. BUT - that is a terrible time for a newly permitted teen to practice driving! Very busy!
Babsitter would be nice - but I have been in this new neighborhood since July - and truly - I wonder - I have met 1 neighbor and no one else. In fact - they all have responded with a bit of a cold shoulder when we even smile and say hi in passing. First street I've lived on where I am tempted to just say - they are snobs. Hate to sound negative but. . . . really it is weird! Can't tell you if there are kids in these houses or what. Some of the houses I've never seen anyone come or go even! Good thing I'm not superstitious or I'd think id' entered the twilight zone or something! Really, I have always tried to bring cookies and introduce myself when in the past a new neighbor has moved in. Now I'm the new neighbor. I guess no one else does that sort of thing.
Ah - we are stuck. I really think she will be 18 before she gets her license!
At this point - I can just leave it in God's hands!
Barb
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cheesehead mom
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| Posted: Nov 03 2012 at 2:26pm | IP Logged
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Can he play a gameboy in the backseat or listen to a book on tape? We do not have a restriction on family being in the car during instruction on our state.
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Barb.b
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| Posted: Nov 03 2012 at 4:24pm | IP Logged
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Well, I don't think we can here. But even so - knowing my dd - she will get stressed if he is.
Went out just now. No one was at the school playground when we got there so ds went to play. DD starts drivng around the parking lot. As she gets around the 1st turn I just quietly remind her to now straighten the car out (after her turn). She (in grand 15 year old girl style) accuses me of "freaking out" (no,I'm not freaking, just quietly saying now you can start straightening the wheel after the initial turn). At about that time a dad with a young kid comes to the playground. . . So we leave. Call me over protective - but I don't know the guy. DD and I would be concentrating on driving and the guy could walk away with ds.
We go to another school (after telling dd I wasn't "freaking" just teaching because turning is a new skill for her to learn). At the next school - some kids and an adult are already there! So we couldn't even start driving there!
I am pleading with God to show me how to get this done.
Barb
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Nov 03 2012 at 6:01pm | IP Logged
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What about a sports stadium parking lot, or a high school parking lot on a weekend day? Another option might be an early-morning driving lesson in a shopping center parking lot (not one with a grocery store, of course).
Where I grew up, everyone learned to drive in the football stadium lot or at the big parking lot in front of Sears.
This does not solve your babysitting problem, but perhaps if you find a venue/time that works, it might make it easier to find somewhere for your son to stay for an hour here and there.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Barb.b
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| Posted: Nov 03 2012 at 8:09pm | IP Logged
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Thanks ladies.
I really think the only answer is this will take longer then one year. There just isn't any answer. I pray for a solution. But if that isn't God's answer - I pray dd accepts getting her license closer to 17 then 16.
Barb
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Nov 03 2012 at 8:29pm | IP Logged
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That's an okay solution, Barb...she might not like it, but if that's how things turn out, it may be for the best.
(I guess if she wants to get it earlier, she could find a friend who'd be willing to babysit her brother? I know you're still new to your area and that might take some time, but perhaps that's a way to involve her in the solution to your mutual dilemma.)
We've lived in a neighborhood or two like yours...it just takes some folks a really long time to say hello. In fact, we have one set of neighbors on our one-block street here who have never said hi to us at all, which is very strange for our little street.
Sending prayers...hoping the Good Lord will lead you and your daughter to the best path toward her license!
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: drivers ed - another post
