The Ultimate Test of Sanity and Trust: A Father’s Anxiety and Pride!!

16 years ago! That was when I was inducted into the world of parenthood. It really feels like that was just yesterday but here we are 16 years later and my oldest child is on the verge of taking that monumental step toward adulthood and independence. He is about to get his Driver's Licence. Actually, it will be his learner’s permit but just the same he is taking his initial steps to becoming a driver. I have never been one to suffer from anxiety but I’d be lying if I said that the whole idea of my teenage son behind the wheel wasn’t stressing me out.

My son is a typical teen in many ways. He is both responsible and irresponsible as most teens tend to be. I think to myself, how can he be ready to be behind the wheel of a motor vehicle? This kid needs to be reminded to take out the garbage. He needs to be reminded sometimes to put on his deodorant. There are so many things he needs to be responsible for when driving a car right? I can’t remember how many times I have said: “This kid would forget his head if it wasn’t attached”.

Then I think back to when I got my drivers license. Looking back, I can unequivocally say that I was not mature enough to have control of a motor vehicle. At the same time, I have never had an accident and I think that I was a pretty good driver when I was sixteen. This gives me more confidence when it comes to the thought of him having the keys to the Kia Sedona. The family van and the vehicle that gets me to work each and every day. There are so many things to worry about. I know that I can teach him all the “rules” of the road but will he answer that text while driving or be distracted by friends in the car with him. There are so many worries that go through a parents head and I am running through the whole gamut. I trust my kid but at the same time, he is still just that… “A kid!”

I must say though, that as a father I have been so impressed with both his eagerness and his dedication to preparing himself for this moment. He has been studying for the written test since the summer. Six months out he was doing the online practice tests and reading through the road signs booklet. He is bang on as I drill him on road signs and rules every time we are driving anywhere. As a teacher, I never worry about students getting it or learning the concepts. I know that all my students learn in different ways and at different paces and I know I will get them where they need to be. This feels different though, this is my kid and I need to make sure that I teach him all he needs to know to be safe and responsible out on the road. He is a smart kid and I know that he is all over this. He wants it bad and he wants to prove he is ready for this responsibility. I see that he is willing to work hard for it.

As I write this post, my anxiety is starting to fade and the feeling of pride is swelling up. I remember saying to myself 16 years ago that there would be so many amazing milestones along the way and that I absolutely couldn’t wait to experience them with my son. I just a couple weeks my kid is going to officially be a driver. I will get to take him out for his first test run, teach him how to parallel park and walk him through intersections, stop signs and THE HIGHWAY. I have been looking forward to this moment for so long and I will enjoy every single bit of it. It may take a toll on my sanity at moments but as a teacher, I think I already have one foot on the crazy train anyway so what’s a little more fun added to the mix.

By: @broncofan99

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