Today I took my teen out for a drive. Or rather she took me. She had one lesson yesterday with her instructor and was so pleased with how it went that she wanted us to go out again today to practise. Her car is a little Ford KA and not quite as new and responsive as her instructors car. We went to the same place to do the same route she had driven yesterday. It is pretty scary letting your teen take the wheel and although I was calm I did feel on edge- it was tempting to grab the wheel a few times too!
Finding the biting point and getting going takes a little more effort in her car which resulted in Chloe stalling.
Three times
At traffic lights
With cars behind us.
The more flustered she got the more she stalled (remember those days). As the lights went from green to red for the second time she asked me to take over. We quickly swapped seats and I drove her around the corner. Undeterred she did get back in and drove us home.
It got me thinking to 17 years ago to the very day. That was the day when Lee carefully put her in car seat and strapped her in the back for that journey home from hospital. You remember that journey – the one where you have never driven so slowly, your awareness heightened as you take each turn on the road. I remember she was wearing a cream all in one from Next that I had bought for the cold journey home.
Over the years there have been many #MilestoneMoments that we have celebrated together. I also remember those long drives to visit grandparents or to go on holiday. One time I remember driving to Weymouth and Chloe needed a wee. We pulled over as you and she had a cheeky wee at the side of the car. She then looked at me so earnestly asking where the toilet roll was! It was like she expected it to be hanging from a tree!
We have always used Graco Carseats and have loved the multistage ones like Graco Milestone All-in-One Car Seat as it offers great value seating a child up to the age of 12. Chloe also loved the cup holder as she was able to keep her colouring pencils in the pot. It was the days before ipads in the car!
We stayed with Graco when we had Erin and she too has grown up with the brand. We actually worked with them a few years ago and they caught some of my favourite ever photos of her as an inquisitive baby. This photo was from a pushchair launch – the Fusio.
She still naps in the car on long journeys and I have many a photo of her asleep!
Suzie Haymen offers these tips for those first milestones
First long trip – holiday or family visit (from birth but becomes key 2 to 3 years old)
Small children may sleep through long journeys but older ones can make the experience absolute hell. So prepare in advance. Start a countdown days ahead and get them to help plan packing, travel and what you’ll do when you get there. Ask them to think about ways of passing the trip happily – their favourite toys, games, videos, music. Use a mix of digital media and traditional games such as I-spy and 20 Questions. The best way of avoiding ‘are we nearly there yet’ is to keep up a running commentary and once they’re old enough, have them look at the scenery and maps and work it out themselves. And allow plenty of time on your trip for stops so every two hours – 60 to 90 minutes for younger children – you can all stretch your legs.
First sleepover party (9 to 10 but could be earlier)
Sooner or later your child will be invited to stay the night at a friend’s, for a sleepover. Driving there could be the occasion for anxiety and misgivings as well as wild excitement. Sleeping in a house they don’t know, with unfamiliar routines can alarm them. So practice before with overnight stays with people they know such as grandparents. On the way to a party, talk through what to expect and how to ask for reassurance from the friend or parent. Discuss with the hosting parent what to expect – food, entertainment, sleeping arrangements. But you can, and should, veto any video games or films if they are of an age rating higher than your child’s age. Sleepovers aren’t for sleeping but for enjoying – be prepared to collect and drive home a very happy but exhausted child next day, for an afternoon nap!
Treasure those first moments though as sooner than you are ready for – you’ll be the passengers in their car as they are learning to drive!
