Pushing on a Rope
driving lessons
In the driver’s seat
Today marked Catherine’s first driving lesson with an actual instructor and there were plenty of nerves to go around. She was anxious, too, but did quite well, taking a two-hour tour of lower Fairfield County, up to Westport on I-95, through Norwalk, Darien and Stamford, picking up the Merritt Parkway somewhere along the way. She … Continue reading
Curbing my enthusiasm for driving lessons
“What to Expect When You’re Expecting” and books by Spock, Brazelton and other child experts may walk you through morning sickness and stretch marks, colic and the terrible 2s. But those aren’t the most challenging milestones a mother will face. Nope. I submit that high in the running for that honor is Teaching Your Child … Continue reading
Taking it wheel slow
It was impossible to stay away — you knew I couldn’t! Last night after dinner, after I’d loaded the dishwasher, packaged the leftovers, scrubbed the sink, and wiped down the counter tops and my new stove top, I laced up my sneakers and headed a half-mile south to the elementary school where driving lesson No. … Continue reading
Give me a brake — Chapter 1 of Catherine’s adventures in driving
It was a big day for the Vaneches. Catherine got her learner’s permit. She balked at spending time each day studying the DMV manual, even when we were in Seaside, NJ, earlier this week, but it paid off: It’s official. Four months after turning 16, she can learn how to drive. This is how she … Continue reading
Driven to distraction
Once school lets out, Catherine will have a new assignment: Learning to drive while the days are long and the weather is nice. She’s more than a little nervous about the prospect and I can’t say I blame her, especially given the nonsense I witness on the road every day. People talking on their phones. … Continue reading
Pushing on a Rope 