Give me the rollercoaster ride, bungy jump or icy ski slope any day. Never before have I experienced such extreme fear. I have just been on a ride more terrifying than other any death defying journey of my life. My heart was literally in my mouth, my palms were sweating, even my feet were sweating so much that when I finally got out I kept slipping off my flip flops..
Being a passenger in my newly qualified 17 year old boy racer’s car is right up there with any other heart in the mouth rides I have ever done and I nearly had a heart attack. I tried SO hard to be cool and not be my mother who sits in the passenger seat with me even now, pinned to the back of the seat with a fear of god look on her face and her foot constantly pressing on an imaginary brake, emitting sharp intakes of breath every 10 seconds until I want to drive on the pavement just to annoy her.
It is not natural for me to relax when the product of my own loins has taken my life into his hands. It is a constant source of amazement to me that my children are capable of doing anything on their own, without me. Least of all when I briefly considered whether he should show me due respect by turning the thumping, vibrating, sweary lyric’d music down and by not jolting the car until I felt car sick and by not speeding up at inappropriate moments. I kept having to duck down in order to avoid the disapproving looks of other drivers and pedestrians because the music was so unbearably loud. At one point when we stopped next to some people having a civilized meal by the side of the road I had to apologise by telling them it was my son that was driving and that I had been kidnapped – but I don’t think they heard me.
Needless to say, I am officially turning into my mother. I tried to turn the music down twice, I audibly gasped twice and I commented on the fact that he hadn’t looked or used his indicator several times until he told me to “shut up” and even worse was that my daughter kept pointing out that in her opinion he was a much better driver than me.
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I read the thumbnail and new exactly where this one was going! Well done, you can come out of your darkened room as soon as you have finished the tranquillisers and gin….!
I endure the same trauma when the Children’s Mother is at the wheel. (But keep that too yourself)
At least he isn’t changing his driving habits when you are in the car. A friend always thought her more “sensible” son was a good driver – well he was when she was around! My husband met him and his car one quiet Sunday morning when he ignored a Give Way sign at an intersection and actually crossed it airborne.
I’ve just read this back and decided it probably isn’t what you want to read! I’m a bit blasé about it now mine are nudging their mid 20’s but I still don’t like them driving on long trips. They are both driving to Queensland for a music festival in a few months and I keep pointing out how cheap airfares are and how easy it is to book a tent and a bit of camping equipment through. In a weak moment I think I even offered to pay if they didn’t drive. Hopefully they’ve forgotten that bit!
Airborne?? Holy shit. Lx
I didn’t tell you the bit about his younger brother sitting in the back egging him on and the girlfriend in the front seat looking terrified did I???
Muchos Gracias for your blog article.Really thank you! Really Great.