Swimmer girl turns 16 today. We are very excited for her – but not as excited as she is, of course. Among all the other things that come with turning 16, she will soon have her driver’s license.
And for me, that means my taxi-driver days will finally draw to a close after more than a quarter-century of commission. In those years, I have hauled my babies and toddlers and children and adolescents (and their friends) to every place they needed and wanted to go. I have put over 250,000 miles on four cars in the process. We’ve eaten, spilled, upchucked; changed diapers and clothes; laughed, cried and argued and fussed in my mom-taxis. We’ve had a few roadside breakdowns and a couple chats with policemen and troopers, but thankfully no accidents with a baby or child on board.
If you’re a young mom reading this, I can promise you this: the years and miles will fly by. Your taste in music will adapt to theirs, and vice-versa. We have explored the full extent of the radio dial, tuning in and out of country, jazz, hip-hop, Christian and dabbled in rap and alternative. Classic rock is our shared language. We’ve belted out southern rock together, argued over who-sang-that-song, and deciphered lyrics more times than I can count. Looking back, I think we were blessed to not have built-in DVD players and portable DS players at our disposal. Yes, we had our share of backseat territory disputes and petty squabbles borne out of boredom. But in the close confines of the car, you have a captive audience – just unplug them from the electronics occasionally and you might be surprised by what they confide in you on an otherwise silent ride.
I have cemented my relationship with my adolescent children just by sitting in the driver’s seat – many deep, heart- and soul-searching conversations with each child have taken place in the car, and most of them started out as nothing more than a ride home from school or church, or a quick jaunt to town, just mom and kid.
So enjoy your taxi driver status while it lasts – because it doesn’t last forever.
Happy -and safe – travels,
P.S. – Happy birthday, baby girl. One pink velvet cake coming up!
Oh..I know..we have a small dvd player that joins us on extended roadtrips only, but even then we ride for awhile before we turn it on! (I wasn't counting that when I made my commet..he he) I remember when my parents got me my own walkman with headphones just for long trips. So yes, they are priceless in certain situations. But, as a teacher, I watch kids get in their car at pick up time and before they are buckled…they are glued to some sort of screen. It just rubs me wrong, I guess. I pick up my big boy, and I am dying to hear every detail!
Leah, there is definitely a time and a place for the electronics. I would have given my eye teeth to have one on our cross-country jaunts when the boys were school-age and a few well-timed DVDs would have kept peace in the backseat. But I am amazed at the number of parents whose young children (pre-schoolers, even) are geared up with iPods, DS games and a DVD just to get to the grocery store and back. I fear they are teaching their children how to tune out mom and dad, and that bell isn't easily un-rung when they're older and the 'rents will want them to tune in.
Thank you for this reminder…we haven't ventured into the world of backseat electronics…and I hope to keep them at bay as much as possible!