Our,Teenage,Daughter,Now,Drivi family Our Teenage Daughter Is Now Driving Our Car!
Raising a family can be challenging and stressful at times. However, the common goals and emotional, financial, and physical investments made can be a common bond between husband and wife. One that compliments their marriage relationship.Of A lot of women avoid wearing nice clothes when they getpregnant because they believe that they look fat or ugly. You know that theresnothing more beautiful than a pregnant woman glowing and smiling, so youshouldnt hide your body during p
Our teenage daughter wants to gether driver's license. Hold on. She's not old enough. Why, just last year I wascoaching her 6th grade basketball team. But then my wife reminds me that it wasfour years ago when I was her coach and she's now a sophomore in High School.In fact, she'll be 16 in less than six months.OK. Fine. Maybe I can convince herto wait until she's 18 to get her temporary license and then perhaps aftergraduating college she can get her permanent license. Seems like a perfect planuntil she comes in the door one day with my wife, beaming with excitementholding something in the air. I assume it's her latest report card."Dad! Dad! Look at this,"she says. "I have my temps. I'm going to be driving." I smile at herbecause I don't want to take away any of her exuberance. "That's great,honey," I say, as I walk in another room trying to compose myself. It willbe all right. Heck, she'll practice for a few months and probably only drivevery short distances for a while. In fact, maybe she'll forget about the wholething!From the other room, I hear hertelling my wife," I can't wait to drive to California this summer. It willbe so cool being able to drive across the country." It was now time for meto take my blood pressure medicine. Oh, that's right. I don't take bloodpressure medication. Well, this might be a good time to start. And I hope our medical insurance is paid up!A few weeks later, on a Saturdayafternoon while I was watching one of Miami University's rare TV appearances,my daughter, after driving all week with my wife, asks if I can take her to afriend's house. Sure. It's only a mile way and I'll only miss a few minutes ofthe game.Moments, later, as I walk out to thecar, I notice something out of place. My daughter is sitting in the driver'sseat, not the passenger side. OK. I'm sure there's an explanation. Maybe shejust wants to get the feel of holding the steering wheel. Surely, she's notgoing to drive. Is she? "Get in Dad," she says."I'm driving. Just relax and enjoy the ride." OK. I'll relax. No. Iwon't. We're actually moving. Down the driveway we go and in a matter ofminutes we're on a road with other cars. Before I have time to panic, we'regoing about 11 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone. I tell her that we can speed upa bit. And we do. All the way to 12 miles per hour. I want her to drive slowlybut I also want to get home before football season ends.So the driving is coming alongnicely and although I can't fathom the thought of my little girl driving...Iknow I can't fight destiny. But I can still maintain some control. It's my carand I'll be driving it most of the time.Or so I thought, until my daughterasked where the key to "her car" was. Say what? I reminded her that Iwas the one that paid for the car, the insurance, the gas and any repairs.Somehow that got lost in the translation because she just gave me a hug andsaid, "that's nice of you Dad. I figured I would have to at least pay forthe gas."She passed her driving exam withflying colors and now she has her license. I'm OK with that. She's actually apretty good driver. She keeps her eyes on the road and stays under the speedlimit. I'm very comfortable with her driving me different places.In fact, right now, I'm relaxing onthe couch, watching one of my favorite Seinfeld reruns. This episode, I haveseen only 12 times. I am curious, however, where our daughter is, becausemy...ugh, I mean, her car isn't in the driveway.I ask my wife where our daughterwent. "Oh honey," she says. "She said something about driving toLA. She'll be back before you know it.""LA?" I say. "That'sit. I didn't think she was serious about driving to California. I'm goingoutside to pace for a few days. And please get my blood pressure pills. Ireally need them.""Settle down," my wifesays. "LA" is just a store in the mall. And remember...you don't takeany medications.""Oh yea?" I say."Maybe this would be a good time to start. I think right now I'll drive tothe doctor's office to see about getting a prescription.""No you won't," my wifesays. "Remember...you don't have a car any more."
Our,Teenage,Daughter,Now,Drivi