The Small Boy Grows Up
After a failed attempt last month, on Monday, AG33 passed the exam for his learner's permit. For those of you who met him when I started on LJ, he is now 15 1/2. Yes. You are old now.
Anyway, first driving lesson was this morning. HILARIOUS! Poor thing. I didn't forget, exactly, but I wasn't completely prepared for how alien to AG33 simple steering would be. I don't even remember when I didn't know how to steer, as I was mowing the lawn on the riding mower for years before I ever got in a car. We used the high school parking lot. We basically drove around in a big rectangle just long enough for him to really straighten out, touch the gas, then brake a bit before making the turn at the end. There were some squirrels and crows mixing in to give him something to think about, but honestly, I was the only one watching for other cars or whatever. He's totally not able to think about steering and watching other traffic yet. Still, it was a productive lesson. By the time we were done, he was fairly naturally steering hand over hand (he started by pushing the wheel, barely moving his hands) and he was able to make the turns a few times with no coaching from me. We also worked a little on gentle braking. That IS a skill I remember my mom teaching me. He was able to do that fairly well, too, by the time we were done. It was awesome and hilarious and we had a good time, but he was ready to be done after about 50 minutes. *pets him*
As I drove us home, he said, "Wow, I have so much more respect for you, Mommy." :D
Crossposted at "http://muck-a-luck.dreamwidth.org/1001987.html"
Anyway, first driving lesson was this morning. HILARIOUS! Poor thing. I didn't forget, exactly, but I wasn't completely prepared for how alien to AG33 simple steering would be. I don't even remember when I didn't know how to steer, as I was mowing the lawn on the riding mower for years before I ever got in a car. We used the high school parking lot. We basically drove around in a big rectangle just long enough for him to really straighten out, touch the gas, then brake a bit before making the turn at the end. There were some squirrels and crows mixing in to give him something to think about, but honestly, I was the only one watching for other cars or whatever. He's totally not able to think about steering and watching other traffic yet. Still, it was a productive lesson. By the time we were done, he was fairly naturally steering hand over hand (he started by pushing the wheel, barely moving his hands) and he was able to make the turns a few times with no coaching from me. We also worked a little on gentle braking. That IS a skill I remember my mom teaching me. He was able to do that fairly well, too, by the time we were done. It was awesome and hilarious and we had a good time, but he was ready to be done after about 50 minutes. *pets him*
As I drove us home, he said, "Wow, I have so much more respect for you, Mommy." :D
Crossposted at "http://muck-a-luck.dreamwidth.org/1001987.html"