Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Wow, never mind the driving right now. Your whole family needs some counseling.
I'd be very concerned about your son if I were you. Do you think he could possibly be even suicidal? His is a prime age for suicide and he doesn't sound at all happy. His inability to concentrate is a big red flag for depression. Don't just ignore his attitude and think he'll outgrow it. Even if he isn't depressed, I think he has other issues that NEED to be addressed.
Please find out what services you have in your area for an evaluation and asking his doctor might be a good place to start.
Good luck. Please don't ignore this situation with your son.
Step 1: introduce him to car care. How to change a tire. Jump the battery. Jack up the car. Where the gas tank is located. When and how to use the emergency brake. How to get out of a trunk. Sounds silly eh? But guess what? It's the first thing a person should know before being given a key to start the engine.
Step 2: decide if stick or automatic is what they want to learn.
Step 3: Have a calm,clear and confident demeanor when instructing.
Step 4: choose a desolate area to practice simple maneuvers of parking,turning,signaling,braking,and Chinese fire drills (okay I threw that in for fun!).
Step 5: call a professional driving school. They are skilled and not invested in yelling at humans.
My youngest had zero desire to drive. Luckily he had an older brother that practiced with him. He is now in his 30's and astounds me with his patience and perception when on the road.
Doesn't sound to me like he is ready to drive. Not even close. Even if you nurse him through getting his license I don't think it would safe to have him out on the roads. Back off on the driving. He knows he is not ready!!!
Your son is putting you and his mom in danger. Absolutely try a driving school - but not until his other issues are addressed. If he doesn't want to drive (and he obviously doesn't) then he'll continue this dangerous behavior and the driving school will just kick him out. Put the money where it'll do more good and stop pushing your own agenda.
As others have said, I think there are much deeper issues than getting his license at 16. It is surprising to me, this generation doesn't tend to run out and get their license as soon as they are able to.
If he has bad grades, no hobbies and surfing the internet, you need to stop this now. My kids are required to join a club ANY club at school. If they don't have the grades, they don't get the toys. You need to start parenting. I know you feel guilty, but stop feeling guilty and start parenting the kid.
If someone isn't ready to drive, don't force them into it. It wouldn't be safe for him or anyone else on the road. Let him decide when he is ready to drive.
Not everyone is meant to drive. My husband's brother was a HORRIBLE driver and, in the end, opted to rely on public transport and cabs his entire adult life. I'm sure hundreds of lives have been saved as a result of that decision.
I agree with others that there are other issues going on and that getting your son evaluated might be the first step you need to take.
If someone isn't ready to drive, don't force them into it. It wouldn't be safe for him or anyone else on the road. Let him decide when he is ready to drive.
I don't know about that. I was 19 before I got my license. The idea of being responsible for myself, a car, and everyone else on the road was terrifying to me. BUT my mom and dad got tired of transporting me to work and back, and one day my mom sat me down. She told me I HAD to get my license, and get my own car, and get myself around.
And so, my mom and my dad took turns teaching me to drive, and I got my license on my first try. My dad was a yeller, so driving with HIM in the passenger seat was nerve wracking. I had to yell back at him once to quit yelling at me, or we were all going to die. lol
OP, I'm wondering...has your son ALWAYS had these spatial issues, or is this what you've noticed with the driving?
Your son needs to see some professional. He’s deeply depressed. You’re not helping because he hates living there which means he probably hates you as you’re the reason why he lives there.
Have you thought what the move may be or has been doing to your kids? You ever sat down and talked to your son? Explained why you had to move? He is obviously haveing a hard time adjusting. By stating you can go home when you’re 18 you implied that this isn’t his home also. Your son needs some real mental help.
I'd say a driving school might be better. The main reason is that having a stranger to do the instruction separates out the learning of the activity from you. He might feel like he's being judged by you or that there will be other awkward conversation with you. If he makes some mistake while driving with you, he'll be thinking that YOU are thinking about that mistake later on when you see him at the dinner table or whenever.
Whereas with an instructor, he can leave all that baggage at the (car) door.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
