New Parental Fear Unlocked

As parents, we want what is best for our kids. We want to protect them from all harm. But we also don’t want to shelter them from wonderful life experiences. My wife and I pretty much allowed our kids to do mostly what they want, as long as they weren’t getting into trouble and as long as they were respecting others. Teaching our kids right from wrong, how to be safe, and how to be good people is a very important part of the parenting process. We try to protect them from the dangers they can bring onto themselves. But how do we prevent the dangers brought on by others?

Our daughter is going to be turning 16 in just a couple of weeks. She is going to be getting her drivers license shortly thereafter. I will admit, her experience operating any kind of motor vehicle is quite limited. I mean, she has done her behind the wheel, and driver’s education training, and she’s never been in an accident of any type, but I am so nervous about letting her venture out onto our roads by herself. She’s a safe driver, just not experienced. My biggest fear is that someone else is going to be driving erratically, not paying attention to the road, on their cell phone, or otherwise driving in a manner that would endanger others.

Important to note that when our son was 11 years old, we lost him in an ATV accident. Perhaps the pain and grief of that loss, coupled with the fact that our daughter is our only remaining child on this earth, has us considerably more guarded. It makes sense, right? I guess we just need to trust her good judgment and know that she’s going to be a safe driver. And pray that others on the roads will do the same.

I don’t know if I am ready for this stage of parenting. Ugh!
– Jay