Good idea....or bad idea??

[ckay87]

So my son is all scheduled to take his drivers test. He's been driving me around for 6 months now and feels like he's ready. So I thought, what would be one way I could be sure, absolutely certain, that he is ready for this test. That he is ready to go behind the wheel on his own? How can I test him myself.

Then I thought

I will have him take me shopping on Black Friday!!

What do you think???

[damo]

Did you watch 2 1/2 Men the other week? Evelyn had Jake (who is just learning to drive) driving her around wearing a chauffeur's outfit and she sat in the back. He waited in the car for her while she went to lunch. Sounds like a good idea!!!

[clovergirl5]

Originally Posted by ckay87

So my son is all scheduled to take his drivers test. He's been driving me around for 6 months now and feels like he's ready. So I thought, what would be one way I could be sure, absolutely certain, that he is ready for this test. That he is ready to go behind the wheel on his own? How can I test him myself.

Then I thought

I will have him take me shopping on Black Friday!!

What do you think???

Parallel parking and finding a parking place in general!

[ckay87]

Originally Posted by clovergirl5

Parallel parking and finding a parking place in general!

And fighting for a parking spot... dealing with the hurried and the hostile. I'll see how he keeps his cool.

We have one shopping center that has a ridiculously complicated parking lot configuration. I did tell him that if he can get me inside of Target during the month of December, without necessitating a call to the insurance company or police first, I'll take him for his license!

[disneychrista]

Go to your local DMV's website and see if they have a checklist of things they need to learn before they take the behind the wheel test. I know the California site has a parent-student driving handbook, for parents to help teach what they need to know.

[CathrynRose]

Originally Posted by ckay87

So my son is all scheduled to take his drivers test. He's been driving me around for 6 months now and feels like he's ready. So I thought, what would be one way I could be sure, absolutely certain, that he is ready for this test. That he is ready to go behind the wheel on his own? How can I test him myself.

Then I thought

I will have him take me shopping on Black Friday!!

What do you think???

Good idea! Seriously!

And can I tell you, having teenagers, it's hard to have any bonding, quality time with them, but my now 18 y/o looked forward to Black Friday with me for yeaaaaaars. Especially after when his younger brother still believed in Santa, and he knew the truth. It was like he was part of the 'in the know' - now.

So those Black Friday's - he would ask me about months before - "We're going to Black Friday, right??"

Yeah - do it! It's a test for you, and an experience for him!

Plus - those teens are quick and squirrely!! They finagle through a crowd, faster than we can!

[ckay87]

Originally Posted by disneychrista

Go to your local DMV's website and see if they have a checklist of things they need to learn before they take the behind the wheel test. I know the California site has a parent-student driving handbook, for parents to help teach what they need to know.

That's a good idea and we do have a handbook that outlines those things. But as I'm driving with him, I'm realizing that we have so many unwritten rules of the road that the DMV doesn't cover. Courtesy things - like allowing others to merge onto the highway. Or defensive things - like "hey, that guy's wheels are moving and he's not looking at you; he might pull out."

Parking we need to work on. Parking in the empty high school parking lot is one thing. Parking in a spot that 2 other people want while a steady stream of pedestrians move around 4 sides of your car....now THAT is something quite different.

[HandOsmom]

Originally Posted by ckay87

And fighting for a parking spot... dealing with the hurried and the hostile. I'll see how he keeps his cool.

We have one shopping center that has a ridiculously complicated parking lot configuration. I did tell him that if he can get me inside of Target during the month of December, without necessitating a call to the insurance company or police first, I'll take him for his license!

Hee! I hate this parking lot, especially on a Saturday! I no matter which store I was shopping in, I always go down to the light at Buca. It's less crazy down there.

But in general, I try to only go there during the week.

Good luck to your son!

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by CathrynRose

Good idea! Seriously!

And can I tell you, having teenagers, it's hard to have any bonding, quality time with them, but my now 18 y/o looked forward to Black Friday with me for yeaaaaaars. Especially after when his younger brother still believed in Santa, and he knew the truth. It was like he was part of the 'in the know' - now.

So those Black Friday's - he would ask me about months before - "We're going to Black Friday, right??"

Yeah - do it! It's a test for you, and an experience for him!

Plus - those teens are quick and squirrely!! They finagle through a crowd, faster than we can!

That and you have someone to carry everything for you


OP, what are the laws in your state about getting a license. Did he do classroom drivers ed and behind the wheel? At our kids' school the behind the wheel instructors take them to the driving test course and give them a pre-test to see how they would score and if they are ready. Do you have that option?

[1stluvispooh]

I think it's great. When I was learning to drive my dad had me drive everywhere I drove in snow, rain, sleet, fog. I drove my brother to college, 2 lane county roads for 2 hours each way, downtown Chicago and interstates. I feel like I have more confidence in my driving than a lot of women my age.