May 6, 2014

Logging Hours and Going Grey

So.  Here's the deal.  True Story.
In our part of Canada, there are stringent rules and regulations
placed upon the learning driver.  It's strict.  I like it that way ~ I really do.
However, this translates into a certain amount of sacrifice ~ 
of either the monetary or the time variety.  It can be a bit painful. 

We have opted for the sacrifice of time.  Mostly mine.
As a result, I am logging hours and going grey all at once.
But, it's all good.  Say it with me ~ this too shall pass.  :)


In order to fit in all the required *learner* hours,
I often have Calvin drive me on errands.
I like to think of him as my personal chauffeur who, incidentally,
(hopefully not accidentally) is getting more proficient all the time.


We live near the Canada/USA border, and we frequently cross
it for fuel, postal services, Trader Joe's and Costco.
One day last week, my chauffeur expertly navigated through
a construction zone, and, after resuming his cruising speed of 70 mph
 eventually (nearly an hour later) got us safely to our destination.  

While we waited (in that construction zone at a standstill
on the freeway) I snapped a few photos.  
One of them was of me ~ in the passenger seat.  :)


Oh, I forgot to include an important piece of information.
One of those regulations I mentioned earlier, is that only one extra passenger
other than the instructor, is allowed in the vehicle while the learner is learning.
A little tricky to do when there are more than three in a family.  Quite tricky, actually.
Emma has joined us on many of our outings ~ does she look traumatized?


One of the bonuses of having my Calvin along is that he can 
load and unload the van for me.  It's a win-win all around.


I am sure that when these days are behind me,
I will look back with fondness at the memories we've made.
But, with two more to go through Mama's Driver Training,
that won't be for awhile yet.  I am not rushing things.  Not at all.

What about you?  Do you do the driver training in your family, 

or, is it a combined effort?  Are you there yet, or, 
does driver training seem to be far off in the distant future?
Are you one of those who has already traversed this road?
Please encourage us if you have.  We'd like to hear that it all went well.
Regardless of what stage you are at ~ let's cheer one another on.  

Happy Tuesday Y'all!  :)
Many Blessings, Camille

25 comments:

Nadine said...

My hubby has been in charge of teaching our children to drive. This mama would probably go crazy, as even riding along makes me a bit nervous...lol!
Our daughter Amy has had her learner's permit for almost a year, and will be taking her driver's test in a few weeks when she turns 18.
In Washington you can get your license at age 16 if you go through a driving school, or wait until your 18 and take the written and driving test to get it.
The driving school is very expensive, so both girls have waited util age 18 to get their license. Which means a lot of running them around until then! ;D

Hope you are having a lovely evening my friend!

Blessings,
Nadine

Dianna said...

Oh Camille...I have chuckled as I've read your post. It brings back a very vivid memory for me! Our daughter was always Daddy's girl, and she was also the eldest of our two children. Her brother, who was 3-1/2 years younger, had been driving since he was very young because he was his dad's farm helper! So, when it was time for our daughter to take that plunge at the age of 16 her dad said, "No problem! I'll be happy to teach her!" They went out for their first lesson...and returned within 20 minutes and I could tell as soon as I saw their faces that it hadn't been a very good experience! ;) Thus dear 'ol Mom, as my children lovingly referred to me (especially when they wanted something) became the designated driver instructor. She did fine...and passed her driver's test with flying colors! I hadn't thought about that for years.

Calvin looks as if he is doing a great job...and sweet Emma does not look the least bit traumatized!

Hugs to you sweet friend!

Angela said...

I haven't had any children but I vividly remember my dad thinking he could teach me. He was a teacher after all! Capital disaster. So it was driving school for me with my mom teaching me stick driving.

Pam said...

You made me laugh. I completely relate to this post. Eddie has his permit at this time. We also have to log hours. He is number seven for us, and I think my nerves have hit the max. I struggle to make the driving hours fit in, because, I must be honest, it takes a lot out of me. My hubby seems more calm about it than me. I remember teaching Olga to drive, and wondering if we would survive; Yes, we did and we are all still carrying on. Your son looks like a very capable driver, and I am sure
these moments will be a happy memory to you soon. I enjoyed peeking into your day and seeing how it looks.
Blessings,
Pam

kcookt said...

Camille, Yes! I can relate so well to you. I just went with my daughter for a ride yesterday to get in some of her logging hours. While we were driving she looked at me and said, "Mom, you are doing much better today". LOL!! It should be the other way around:) This has definitely been a stretch for me. Thanks for making me laugh today. Tami

Donna said...

Camille,
Good job! My husband and I both taught Jennifer to drive. She was always very cautious but as a mother I think it makes us nervous at times thinking about our babies driving!! Seems like yesterday they were in diapers!
Hugs,
Donna

Maryann said...

My husband was in charge of the teaching part, we have a high school a few blocks away and that's where the instruction started. We both participated in the logging of driving hours, and it was nerve wracking at times but like you I had the bonus of someone always being available to load or unload the car. Now they are grown men and I always let them drive if they are with me and we are doing errands (this typically applies to my younger unmarried son.)
P.S. it can still be nerve wracking at times :)

Heather@Cultivated Lives said...

Oh this made me smile. Not because I've taught anyone to drive yet (still 6 years away from that one), but because it brought back vivid memories of learning how to drive. :)

While the idea of only one other passenger in the car can be challenging, I can see the sense in it. During my first week of having my license I was at a party for our boys homeschool basketball team. I was the oldest and several of the guys asked me to drive them to the other side of the neighborhood to play basketball. Thankfully, we were just traversing the neighborhood because 4 loud boys in the car totally flustered me...

little sis said...

Getting ready to start that in December. Probably will be a combined effort but I have always told the hubby that he needed to teach the boys. On another topic. Do you need a passport when you travel from Canada to US? I remember years ago (1988) I traveled across the border from Idaho with my grandmother and they made us turn around.

Camille said...

Dear Nadine ~ Ah, yes...driving school is ultra expensive here as well. I think that older teens make better drivers than younger ones...it's not a bad thing to wait until they are 18. Yippee for Amy! Only one more to go through the process with. :)

Dear Dianna ~ Too funny! Yaay for you that she passed with flying colours...that feels wonderful, doesn't it? Thank you for sharing your story here with us...it's lovely to see you back blogging again. :)

Dear Angela ~ There is a difference between teaching reading/math at a desk and teaching driving on the road! Yaay for driving school!! Thank you for adding your experience here...it's a blessing that you stopped by. :)

Dear Pam ~ Hang in there...you are almost done! I hear you on the taking it out of you comment...my tummy was in knots the first time out with Austin. Thank you for your sweet encouragement. You are a blessing. :)

Dear Tami ~ Welcome here...it's lovely that you stopped by. Ah, yes...when the kids compliment us on our behaviour it's something to remember! LOL! Hang in there...I am sure you are doing a great job. :)

Dear Donna ~ Truly, the time does fly by, doesn't it? What a blessing you have been (and are) to your girls. Hugs to you! :)

Dear Maryann ~ LOL...your P.S. made me smile! Thank you for joining in on the conversation here today. You bless my heart. :)

Dear Heather ~ Wow...those were the crazy days when being set free on the road came without restrictions at such a young age! I can just picture you in that car with all those boys. As for your own children, look out...the next six years will fly by! Enjoy each stage...these are precious days. Hugs to you. :)

Dear Leanna ~ You will do just fine...deep breath...one driving lesson at a time. It's crazy how quickly these days fly by! I looked up the answer for you on the Canadian Border Crossing website ~ http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/security-securite/admiss-eng.html Does that mean you are coming to visit? :)

Many Blessings,
Camille

Lisa said...

Haha, I love this post!! Oh, we only have 3 more years until Seth drives, and I think I'm already going gray just at the thought of it :) And funny side note...we just went to Trader Joe's and Costco last night :) Miss you guys! Please send your family our love!

Unknown said...

My husband has his professional driver's training and license. He does the main training but I am allowed to help them clock their hours by being a licensed driver in the vehicle. Things in our state are a bit more lenient although we have to have permission from the DMV to train them to drive as a homeschooling family.Our 15 yo daughter is learning right now. We live in the mountains so I'm more than willing to let him train her. I'm a little nervous riding with new drivers in the mountains. Blessings, Muffy

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

When Megan came of age to drive, Phil did most of the driving with her, I did some but I'm not as patient as he is. She wound up not getting her license til almost 20 since she didn't really like to drive. Justin was learning to drive and he was with Phil when they were going onto the interstate for the first time. Justin was going and Phil said to accelerate more, which he was. OOppss!! Car problems! Engine blew, so there they were stuck. Good thing they were able to call a friend and he towed them home! Back then when our kids were learning, there weren't required hours of learning before you got your license. It is a good thing as now there's less accidents and deaths becuz of young drivers driving by themselves. Take care, hold on and breath!!!! I miss my son being here to carry groceries in for me. Enjoy!

Stephanie said...

Oh yes, I remember when I lived in Canada how much of an "ordeal" it was to get a driver's license :) I have three cousins my age that live in Canada and they have never gotten their driver's license due to the cost and other issues.

This is such a fun time though :) Take care, sweet Camille, and have a lovely Mother's Day!

Camille said...

Dear Lisa ~ Aww....you will do just fine when it's your turn...I know you will! We love you all, too. Hugs all around. :)

Dear Muffy ~ Yes, mountain driving is certainly more challenging than the straight, flat roads we mostly drive. What a blessing that you have such a good built-in driving instructor in your family! Hang in there...you will do just great. Hugs to you. :)

Dear Becky ~ Your words made me smile. Dear me! The engine blew with a learner behind the wheel? What an experience!! Thank you for joining in the conversation here my friend. Hugs. :)

Dear Stephanie ~ Wow! It was such a trouble that they never got their licenses at all?? Hmmm...perhaps things are a little too stringent? As a Mum, I must say, I do like the way it is now rather than how it was *back in the day* when we were set loose on the roads. Hugs to you and Happy Mother's Day! :)

Many Blessings,
Camille

Cinnamon said...

:-) It's always an adventure isn't it! I think the easiest child to teach was the one who was in a car accident before he was driving (he was in another car with someone else driving) and he has been our most careful driver :-)

~Cinnamon

Cheesemakin' Mamma said...

The thought of Josiah driving, terrifies me to no end. I'm NOT looking forward to it. I really think he will need to learn from someone else, at least the basics and would gladly pay for him to go to student driver school :)

Camille said...

Dear Cinnamon ~ Wow...what an experience for your most careful driver! Yes, those sorts of things do tend to sober us up about the seriousness of what we are about when behind the wheel. Thanks for joining in on the conversation. :)

Dear Jackie ~ Ah, yes...driving school is certainly one option...and, it's a good one. It's just SO expensive!! At least, it is here. Don't fret about it...perhaps you will be ready to teach when the time comes. :)

Many Blessings,
Camille

Jill said...

Oh my....haven't gotten to that stage yet! Safe travels!!
Happy mother's day!

Blessings,
Jill

Camille said...

Dear Jill ~ It will be upon you before you know it! How quickly time flies!! Enjoy these precious days with your girls...they are treasures. :)

With Love,
Camille

PippaDavies said...

Matt is driving too. You look way to relaxed to be enjoying it so much ;) I leave the teaching to John as I am often holding onto the door way too tight. But I love the fact that I have a helper son much like yours! What a blessing. Love to you Pippa

Camille said...

Dear Pippa ~ Ha! The only reason I was relaxed at that moment is because were were stopped on the freeway...it's not always that relaxing. Your Matt will be a good driver just as I know he is a good helper. Isn't having these young men around a wonderful thing? Hugs to you! Love, Camille

1HappyWife said...

I read this post last Wednesday and planned to comment when we got home from getting Joe's permit ... I goofed as I completely forgot we needed an appointment.
We got one and today he got his permit :).
In our state you can get a permit at 15 and a license at 16 after Driver's Ed ... (I think) the law for our house is a little different though :).
Between their 16th and 17th birthday they can get their permit and at 18 they can go for their license.
This is our second one to get his permit. Nick got his license in
November and it has been such a blessing to have him run errands for us and he loves to take the other kids with him.
I was REALLY nervous riding with Nick and not so much with Joe ... they are like night and day.
It really does get easier :) ... oh wait, some of my kids in line for their permit make me nervous just thinking about it!!!
Have a blessed day and happy driving :).

Wanting What I Have said...

Heehee. This brings back some memories! Only-they're memories of me in the drivers seat and my mother white knuckling it. I did alright...no wrecks yet. You can encourage us when it's our turn! ;)

Camille said...

Dear Joleena ~ Sorry I didn't reply to you here sooner...my mistake! :( Ah, yes...house rules are a good thing...don't you agree? And, yes...each of our children is unique which transfers into all of life including driving. One at a time is my motto. Ha! :)

Dear Jennifer ~ Yes, our parents did survive a lot, didn't they? You know I will cheer you on when it's your turn. I think Sister will be a great one to begin with. She seems calm enough. Hugs to you. :)

With love,
Camille