Driving with Hayley

Tonight Hayley and I went on our first "practice drive" for driver's ed. This was the first time Hayley has ever been behind the wheel of a car (despite being in driver's ed for three weeks). So, naturally, I was a little apprehensive and wisely took her to an empty parking lot to practice. Her first try at pushing the gas about put us over the curb and into the bushes, but after that, she got pretty smooth. We practiced going around and around the parking lot, driving straight, making turns and parking. A few times I worried we'd jump the curb and I was really glad there were no cars in the parking spaces, but for the most part, her first time out was a success. I drove back home, but stopped in a nearby neighborhood to give her some practice. Besides driving IN the gutter a few times, she did pretty good there, too, and even parked the car in the driveway without going through the garage! I admit, it was pretty scary (and now I know why those driver's ed instructors have their own brake), but it was a start. I definitely don't think she's ready for the road yet (plus she is not on my insurance yet), but she has her first real driving lesson for her class on Friday. The idea of her driving on the street scares me. Guess that's why it's better left up to the professionals. But parents are supposed to be giving their teens two hours a week of driving practice! Gasp! I don't know how we're going to fit that in, with everything else. Not to mention how my heart will handle it!