Max is driving. It happened. My baby has upgrade from a hobby horse to a real car.
It's not like this was a big surprise. He received his permit in February; I drove with him to Drivers Ed daily for 6 weeks at the end of the summer, and I signed off on his road test. So why didn't I realize he would actually be driving on his own?
Tuesday I drove him to school, as I have down for the past 13 years - give or take a day. It was like any other morning....we listened to his ipod, he made me laugh and I hounded him about his school work. Had I realized this was the last time I would drive him to school I would have done things differently. I would have noticed the road and sites to store in my memory of lasts. I would have said all the wonderful things I wanted him to know about how proud I am of him and how happy I am that he is becoming so a strong young man. Instead, I said "Bye luv, have a good day" and that was that.
Wed he was off of school and my hubby took him to his road test. I received the call at work that it was official and would it be alright if he took the car to the XC meet. On my way home, I saw police lights and heard sirens which appeared near my street. Oh my god!! He has been in a terrible accident, why did I let him drive, I did not protect him...my stomach is in my throat and my heart is beating through my chest. But no. The first responders are at an apartment complex not even close to my street and no Max was not in an accident. He is fine. But I went through all the emotions. Will that happen every time I hear a siren and he has the car? I need a cocktail.
To make matters worse, we buy him a car. Let's not even discuss the cost of insurance ( remember I am in an assigned risk because of some poor speeding decisions on my part). Max loved the Charger. Why wouldn't he? That sound of power when you start it up? I tell him rear wheel drive will be terrible in the winter only to hear him respond that it really hasn"t been snowing that much and usually the streets are plowed well. Seriously??? That's his justification.
Add hubby to the mix, who recommends a Camero. Sure why not put my baby in that death trap? Although I must admit, I jumped into those bucket leather seats and thought "pop in the Journey tape, I'll change into a tube top and we can make out in the back seat". Oh so sad.
Well we decided on a Kia Optima, 4 cyclinder, front wheel drive, 36 mpg. Much better. He loves it because it has heated leather seats and full navigation. What 16 year old should have to deal with a cold bottom and no map?
I will finish with the realization that driving was probably the last thing we will teach our son. Sure we will be there for advice and guidance, not to mention as a provider of cash, but will there be anything else we can actually teach him? My baby continues his path away from me...
It's not like this was a big surprise. He received his permit in February; I drove with him to Drivers Ed daily for 6 weeks at the end of the summer, and I signed off on his road test. So why didn't I realize he would actually be driving on his own?
Tuesday I drove him to school, as I have down for the past 13 years - give or take a day. It was like any other morning....we listened to his ipod, he made me laugh and I hounded him about his school work. Had I realized this was the last time I would drive him to school I would have done things differently. I would have noticed the road and sites to store in my memory of lasts. I would have said all the wonderful things I wanted him to know about how proud I am of him and how happy I am that he is becoming so a strong young man. Instead, I said "Bye luv, have a good day" and that was that.
Wed he was off of school and my hubby took him to his road test. I received the call at work that it was official and would it be alright if he took the car to the XC meet. On my way home, I saw police lights and heard sirens which appeared near my street. Oh my god!! He has been in a terrible accident, why did I let him drive, I did not protect him...my stomach is in my throat and my heart is beating through my chest. But no. The first responders are at an apartment complex not even close to my street and no Max was not in an accident. He is fine. But I went through all the emotions. Will that happen every time I hear a siren and he has the car? I need a cocktail.
To make matters worse, we buy him a car. Let's not even discuss the cost of insurance ( remember I am in an assigned risk because of some poor speeding decisions on my part). Max loved the Charger. Why wouldn't he? That sound of power when you start it up? I tell him rear wheel drive will be terrible in the winter only to hear him respond that it really hasn"t been snowing that much and usually the streets are plowed well. Seriously??? That's his justification.
Add hubby to the mix, who recommends a Camero. Sure why not put my baby in that death trap? Although I must admit, I jumped into those bucket leather seats and thought "pop in the Journey tape, I'll change into a tube top and we can make out in the back seat". Oh so sad.
Well we decided on a Kia Optima, 4 cyclinder, front wheel drive, 36 mpg. Much better. He loves it because it has heated leather seats and full navigation. What 16 year old should have to deal with a cold bottom and no map?
I will finish with the realization that driving was probably the last thing we will teach our son. Sure we will be there for advice and guidance, not to mention as a provider of cash, but will there be anything else we can actually teach him? My baby continues his path away from me...
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