Driving

My oldest is really wanting to drive.

I’ll never forget the look on his face when he learned that just because someone is the correct chronological age to drive… 16… doesn’t mean that the person will actually get to drive. There are other factors besides age.  His face just fell.  He was so sad.  And I was sad, too… sad that his dream was dashed and sad that I wouldn’t be a reprieve from driving him everywhere and sad that life stinks sometimes.

He’s beginning to understand, however, our point.  My husband made a list of things that needs to be able to do before we’ll even think about letting him learn to drive.  On this list are things such as…

• No stomping and hitting walls when you don’t get your way.
• Take shower every day (show some self-care and responsibility)
• Do your homework
• Keep your room in order
• No stealing

I was surprised when, as soon as I got out of bed and went to the kitchen early on a weekday morning, that he told me, “I’ll be driving in two weeks!”

Huh?

I’m learning to keep my mouth shut and not over react, but this time I said, “Ohhhh I don’t think so.”

“Yes!  I’ve met my goals!”

“Really?”

“Yes.  My room is clean.”

“Was that because you were being responsible or because we had house guests and you had no choice?”

“At least I cleaned it.”

“Excuse me… who vacuumed and finished cleaning it?” I said as I was trying to get my brain going for the day.

“Whatever.  Then I have been doing my homework.”

“Mmmm-hmmm.”

“And have you noticed any other improvements?”

Okay, first thing in the morning is not the time to ask me this.  So I said, “Not  really.”

“You LIE!” he shouted.

“I’m answering the question.”

“You should have said, ‘No stomping’!  I haven’t stomped for over a week!” He shouted, as he stomped so hard that the pictures started to rattle.

“Well, I guess that good streak is over.”

“It’s your fault I stomped.”

“I see you are taking responsibility for your actions.  Good one.”

See, I’m not the best at 6:30 AM.

“I’ll talk to dad about it… you have no idea what you’re talking about. Just keep your mouth shut.”

“You just do that. Don’t talk to me like that, either.  I’m done talking to you this morning anyway.”

“Why?  What did I do?”

Grrrrr.

When I think about it after I’m actually awake, we have noticed that he’s doing things more like unloading the dishwasher without being reminded, taking out the trash with out griping, and he was even asked to work when he wasn’t scheduled… I tell myself that he wouldn’t be asked to work if he was being irresponsible there.  Plus, the people at the Food Bank where he volunteers say that he can do the work of two people.

I hope he drives before he is out of high school.