Driver's Ed
Part of living in the country, (ok well on 10 acres not near the suburbs) includes having opportunities to teach my kids things not possible in the city. One of those things is driving. My parents live next door and I affectionately refer to them as the neighbors. They say it takes a village to raise a child. Many a time I have been thankful for the village being yards away.
Prior to living in the country we inherited/stored my father's golf cart. It was a fun "toy" for #1 and #2. Once we moved it has become a privilege to learn to drive. With the exception of #4 as she just turned 2, they each have spent countless hours behind the wheel. It started as lap driving, then grew to sitting in front of another adult. Now it has become independent. #1 was first, as it should be. #2 earned the right but I think she slipped through the cracks not being grilled as much as #1. #3 received a greater amount of direct instruction simply from timing. He watched, competed and learned along with his siblings. But while they were in school and Grandpa has been out of work he practiced even more. We fast forward to today. A week or so ago he informed me that he "past" the drive by yourself" test with Grandpa, proving it to me by driving it over. Not only that but he backed it in the garage to pick me up. As I rode with him, and watched from afar I realized how much he truly paid attention to detail, making sure the wheels were turned correctly before moving, turning key off when done etc. Below you can see a short video. This afternoon on our way home from picking up school kids he asked to drive down the driveway. Sure I say, this was not atypical. He sits on my lap and steers, I push the peddles. Today was different. He climbed across my lap, sitting on the edge of the seat much like the golf cart used to be. I had it in park because I got the mail. He began to press the gas pedal, surprised I said oh you can't push the gas yet we have to change it to drive. He asked what I meant, stupidly I empowered him a little more and explained about the gears relating to golf cart. He pushed the brake and I put it in drive. Now I am keenly aware of the mistake in allowing any of this to happen.
He slowly lets out the brake and the van moves. It is a slight incline so no gas needed at first. #3 goes on to ask why we don't have to push the gas. I am waist deep in this one so I might as well throw the whole towel in and hope I can climb it out. On the golf cart he is cautious, almost too slow at times. The van must have seemed safer because he had no problem pushing the gas and speeding up a great deal. I reminded him we needed to slow down which he did pretty well, didn't even slam on the brakes his first attempt. I helped turn it in towards the garage, glad that this test drive was about to be over! He got out of the vehicle strutting like a million dollar man saying he was gonna 'help' me drive everyday. Hmmmm everyday huh? I think it might be time to stop leaving the keys in the ignition at home!
Prior to living in the country we inherited/stored my father's golf cart. It was a fun "toy" for #1 and #2. Once we moved it has become a privilege to learn to drive. With the exception of #4 as she just turned 2, they each have spent countless hours behind the wheel. It started as lap driving, then grew to sitting in front of another adult. Now it has become independent. #1 was first, as it should be. #2 earned the right but I think she slipped through the cracks not being grilled as much as #1. #3 received a greater amount of direct instruction simply from timing. He watched, competed and learned along with his siblings. But while they were in school and Grandpa has been out of work he practiced even more. We fast forward to today. A week or so ago he informed me that he "past" the drive by yourself" test with Grandpa, proving it to me by driving it over. Not only that but he backed it in the garage to pick me up. As I rode with him, and watched from afar I realized how much he truly paid attention to detail, making sure the wheels were turned correctly before moving, turning key off when done etc. Below you can see a short video. This afternoon on our way home from picking up school kids he asked to drive down the driveway. Sure I say, this was not atypical. He sits on my lap and steers, I push the peddles. Today was different. He climbed across my lap, sitting on the edge of the seat much like the golf cart used to be. I had it in park because I got the mail. He began to press the gas pedal, surprised I said oh you can't push the gas yet we have to change it to drive. He asked what I meant, stupidly I empowered him a little more and explained about the gears relating to golf cart. He pushed the brake and I put it in drive. Now I am keenly aware of the mistake in allowing any of this to happen.
He slowly lets out the brake and the van moves. It is a slight incline so no gas needed at first. #3 goes on to ask why we don't have to push the gas. I am waist deep in this one so I might as well throw the whole towel in and hope I can climb it out. On the golf cart he is cautious, almost too slow at times. The van must have seemed safer because he had no problem pushing the gas and speeding up a great deal. I reminded him we needed to slow down which he did pretty well, didn't even slam on the brakes his first attempt. I helped turn it in towards the garage, glad that this test drive was about to be over! He got out of the vehicle strutting like a million dollar man saying he was gonna 'help' me drive everyday. Hmmmm everyday huh? I think it might be time to stop leaving the keys in the ignition at home!
Hide the keys!
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