Can I Drive?

Several months before the learners permit, we bought a car for Alex to drive. Mainly because our cars were not the sort of cars you were happy to grace with a dent or scratch or two. The car was a manual, a groovy little Rav. I rather fancied it myself actually.

'Can I drive?" became the catch cry and once she had her learners, it was hard to find excuses why she could not. Perhaps I could use the driving at 40kph on the open road? Perhaps it is the cutting corners and expecting a crunch? It could be the taking the curb at that massive speed of 40 kph, (still causes a bit of a lurch, but God forbid if you laugh) Or perhaps it is slowing down and making 'arrrrrgggghhh' noises every time a bird was on the road? All beautiful and accurate excuses, I don't know, I should be more cool.......

Still I say "yeah, sure" through gritted teeth and a forced smile. When Alex learned to ride her bike, at 4, it was with both hands on the handlebars, helmet exactly in position, back straight, cautious hand on the brake, eyes everywhere and a deathly serious face. Driving is much the same- arms straight, neck stretched, seatbelt firm, conversation limited to instruction about driving........

Last week she thought it was timely to take Granddad for a drive in the Rav. I suggested that today, (following that exceptional corner where she was going too fast, hit the centre island and then took the curb on the other side and crossed the middle line on the other side of the road) was not the best day for driving, perhaps another time....... After all, he is 77!

I know it is a rite of passage to terrify your parents but I am now clear, for the first time in my adult life.............THIS IS THE REASON I DIDN'T HAVE 5 KIDS!