A friend of mine posted on the Facebooks that she, too, had allowed her newly-licensed driver to take her car and OH THE HUMANITY!!!!! "Why would you let your kid take your car???" "Why do YOU have to walk to the store when you have a perfectly good car???" "That's not fair to you!!!!"
People were literally freaking out on her post, criticizing her for walking to the store and letting her kid take her car to school.
First of all, it's not really anyone's call but the owner of the car. Period. If you have an opinion, that's awesome. Good on you. But what you think doesn't really make much of a difference in anyone's life but your own, or in anyone's decisions but your own.
Here's my story: I work just under a mile from my office. I am a healthy 49-year old woman with fully functioning lungs and legs. I am fully capable of walking to my job. In fact, I actually ENJOY walking to my job. It gets me out in the sunshine, gets me fresh air, vitamin D and some much needed exercise. It's helping with weight-loss and it really doesn't suck as much as some nay-sayers would like you to think.
I also believe it's building my daughter's confidence. I have faith in her ability, I know she is careful, I know that she's capable and I know that it makes her feel good that I trust her enough to take my car to school. It also saves ME the trouble of having to go pick her up after sports or band practice every afternoon. If I continue driving her everywhere, she will not get the experience OR THE CONFIDENCE to do it for herself.
If it's raining, girlfriend gets to ride the bus and then I will go and pick her up from practice when I get out of work. But if it's a beautiful day outside, and I could use the exercise, and she could use the confidence building, why not let her drive? If she has her license but I drive her everywhere, what purpose does that serve? What experience is she getting?
So to all of the nay-sayers, I say this: it's none of your business if someone allows their kid to drive their car. If you have a child, parent that child. But don't judge another parent for their parenting decisions.
If you enjoyed this post, you may also find some humor in the story of my dueling GPSs.
I love you so much, Teri!!! We understand the importance of confidence building is for our 16's!! 😊 Thanks for sharing in the wrath of FB!!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't keep my mouth shut when I saw the response to your post.
DeleteI let Anna drive all over when she turned 16 because she needed to get on the road and keep practicing.
ReplyDeleteI know she did plenty of practicing before but the more they are on the road, the better.
She now has a used car with 80,000 miles on it that she didn't put on there because I couldn't live without a car.
Why it becomes everyone's business when someone posts on Facebook, is the biggest frustration ever.
YOU DO YOU, I'LL DO ME.
I agree with you, how can your child gain confidence if you don't let them drive your car? I think the way your kids learn to drive is far better than our way. Here in the UK kids can't get a provisional driving lisense until they turn 17, that costs about $50, then they need lessons, which are about $35 each, they need about 10-15 of those, then you have to pay for the theory exam $50 at least, then if you pass the theory you pay for the practical test another $50 then you get your full driving license. If you fail the theory or practical you have to retake them and pay again. My eldest turns 17 in October what fun :(
ReplyDeleteMy mom let me drive all over as soon as I got my license for the same reasons you cited, Teri. You can't get experience driving if you're not driving! She, too, was sensible when it came to bad weather and whatnot. I used to volunteer to do the grocery shopping just so I could drive. :D
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ReplyDeleteGood on you for being an awesome parent and enjoying a nice walk. I am lucky enough to live in a city where I can easily bike to work most days and it's such a great start to the day than sitting in traffic in a car.
ReplyDeleteI get overwhelmed when the housecleaning is too far behind, the activities and appointments are back to back. To feel at peace I need a somewhat organized house, and time to sit and process things.
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