Blamed for our teen learning to drive
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Blamed for our teen learning to drive
| Fri, 05-28-2004 - 12:02am |
My teen is 18 years old and has been driving for 1 1/2. I pushed very hard for her to go to driver's Ed. My husband was against it, saying a 16 year old had no business driving. (yet he drove when he was 16!!!) I just wanted her to be prepared for life. I had very strict parents and I was never encouraged to drive. Since I lived in a big city it did not matter since everything was within walking distance or I could take public transportation. I learned to drive in my mid 30's and before that was dependent on my husband to drive me places. I did not want to see that happen to my daughter.
She has been responsible for some fender benders which now make my husband say we have dearly paid for the privelege of her driving and it is all my fault since I encouraged her to drive. I feel so bad about myself.
She has been responsible for some fender benders which now make my husband say we have dearly paid for the privelege of her driving and it is all my fault since I encouraged her to drive. I feel so bad about myself.

whew.... I am just assuming here, that *this* is just the tip of the iceberg in your relationship with your husband. you could solve "this" issue, but it seems that there is a whole pandora's box here which needs more in-depth attention.
ok - first - I personally happen to agree with you regarding the driver's ed and I think that kids should learn early on BUT i also think that kids need to learn not only HOW to drive a car but the responsibilities that come with driving. and if your dd was invovled in fender benders or any other accidents/problems/issues that come with driving - then i think that SHE needs to pay the price. and you don't mention whose car she drives, and who pays for the insurance and gas, but i personally think this is something that these kids should be responsible for. so ----- learning to drive- yes. and paying for your own mistakes - also, yes.
so - stop feeling bad and stop feeling guilty. but DO set your DD on the path to being responsible.
just my 2 cents...
there are boards on the parent's soup that might have more specific ideas re teen driving - one is "parents of teens" http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-psteens