We have a new driver in the house!
WHAT?!?!?
Our sweet little Kadi turned 15 this summer, and after weeks
of discussion, she finally went last week to take her written test in order to
obtain a learners permit. The discussion
went something like this:
Mom – Kadi, have you studied for your driving test?
Kadi – You never gave me the book!!
Mom – Oh, yes I did! Find
it!
Kadi – Oh, here it is.
My bad.
Days later:
Mom – Kadi, have you studied for your driving test?
Kadi – No, I don’t need to!
I’ll pass.
Dad – STUDY! Or you won’t pass.
Kadi – I’m just going to take the practice test. I’ll be fine.
My friends said……
Mom – I don’t care what your friends said! If you don’t study, you won’t pass! Ask Cole!
He didn’t read the book and only took the practice test and failed. Kerri studied, and passed the first try.
Kadi – I’ll be fine.
Dad – Oh well, guess I don’t have to buy her a car.
Days later:
Kadi – Mom, are you ever going to take me to get my permit?
Mom – Yes, I’ll take you when you study.
Days later - Mom
finds note cards on the counter that resembles driving questions.
Mom – What are these note cards? Kadi are you ready for your
test?
Kadi – (smirks) Well, I took the practice test and those are
the ones I missed.
Mom quizzes Kadi.
Kadi thinks she is ready, so off we go to the DMV. I ask again, if she read the book, and she
insists to me that she didn’t need to, and that she would be fine. I hope so because my least favorite place in
the world in the DMV. I think they take
all the crazies of the world and place them in the waiting room, and then plop
us right in the middle. Really? No other nice Omaha family needs a driver’s
license at the same time we do?
We take a number “C415” and a form with clipboard and
proceed to find a seat next to the least crazy person we can find and begin
filling in the blanks. As I get the SS#
blank, I panic. I don’t have hers
memorized. I could call Granda as she
always has them with her. I could call
and see if Kerri is home; she could look in the lock box. This is crazy! Why haven’t I learned? I continue filling
out….
OMG! I have her
social security card as her proof of ID with me! Okay!
Who are the crazies of the world?
Just add me right along with them.
Geez.
NOW SERVICING C415.
Here we go!
The gentleman takes our form, my license, her proof that she
is Kadi Carleton, and adds her into the Nebraska database. She barely passes her eye exam because the
glasses (that she is proving to us that she will wear non-stop so she can get
contacts) are home. She is laughing and joking, very relaxed for someone who is
going to take a test in which she hasn’t read the book. As she receives her instructions, I proceed
back to my chair among the crazies.
Out she comes with a big SMILE on her face, and said, “I
failed.” I immediately assume she is
joking. She would be furious. I know this child. Nope.
Failed. Missed 6. As soon as we get to the car, the child I
know appears. I get the pouty, turn
towards the window, ignore mom, child. I
can’t resist. I say those 4 little words
that I so love to say, but really give me no satisfaction: I TOLD YOU SO!
Another hard lesson in life that could have been avoided by
just listening to mom, but of course, when they learn the hard way, perhaps
they won’t make the same mistake twice.
I hate to see my kids upset, in pain, or disappointed. But, I have to remember, that is how they
learn.
I promised I would take her back on Monday after
school. I would even pick her up early
from school and treat her to ice cream.
On this day, she is visibly nervous and studying and even questioning
things as we are driving.
“C445”
Same routine; different crazies.
I get a text: I
PASSED!
I breathe a huge sigh of relief……that is until I realize what
comes next: LEARNING TO DRIVE.
