Gotta get that license

Monday, 6:24 am

By Kate

Jul

25

2005

I think I understand now. When I don’t have to wake up early, it’s easy to wake up early. When I have to wake up early, I can barely put one foot in front of the other as I stumble my way out of the house. Why is that?

This is the first morning the lad has gone to cross country practice all summer. It helps to be home, of course, so he’s had legitimate excuses. But, his best friend suggested that it might be nice if he’d show up this week since he is the team captain and it’s not looking real good for him not to at least show up when he’s home. A best friend’s influence is often a lot more powerful than a Mom’s nagging. So I rolled out and dropped him off without complaint.

Now if we could just get him a drivers license. He must be one of the very few about-to-turn-18-year-old kids who not only doesn’t have his license, but doesn’t seem in the least bothered by not having one. Before he can take his driving test he has to finish his driver’s education—the driving with the instructor part of the class. But, of course, in order to do that he has to be here. And he hasn’t been here much this summer. He’s here this week, then he’s gone for two more weeks, back for a couple of days before he leaves for another week. And then school starts. Driver training is not going to happen this summer. And I don’t see how it’s going to happen during the school year, either, with cross country practice every day after school.

I suspect it’ll have to wait until next spring or summer.

On the other hand, there is a substantial part of my brain that isn’t all that unhappy about this state of affairs as I’ve watched one of the boys in the neighborhood crash his way through three cars and is now on his fourth. A couple of accidents have occurred among his circle of friends, too. Accidents are not something you want to see your kid involved in. And I have to admit that I’m pretty happy with no dents in my car.

But he has to have his license by next summer. If for no other reason than needing the ID after he leaves home. He’s already finding it necessary to have ID and, so far, his passport has been sufficient. But it’s a pain in the neck to drag it around with him wherever he goes. It really is time for a drivers license. And, frankly, Mom wouldn’t mind the novelty of not being the chauffeur every single day. I’m pretty certain I’d enjoy that.