Brendan, stick shift and the truck
A few things about Brendan....
We and he split the cost of a 16 year old Ford Ranger truck. It is actually cheaper for us to have him with his own vehicle on insurance. Obviously that is without collision because if a truck is 16 years old, it isn't worth much as it is.
Anyway, this truck was stick shift and Bren learned to drive on an automatic. I was so excited because I have been dying to get my hands on a stick shift again. Ever since converting to the mini-van 13 years ago, I have been in automatic mode. Bob does not drive stick shift, so the training was all up to me.
I have to say that I am impressed at how quickly he learned -two days of about 45 minutes each and the next day he was driving on his own. It was very impressive; however, those two 45 minute periods did not go very quickly. Driving a stick shift is one thing...teaching it, a whole other story. The first night we probably tried a little too long because when he stalled it and couldn't revive it 5 times, he was so frustrated that I thought I would be driving the truck from now on and he would take the van.
Amazingly enough he came home the next day from school and was ready to try again. It was good to see because Bren has never been highly motivated for school or overly motivated in the many sports he has played, but when he wants something, he has the get up and go to do it. I was really glad to see that.
The second day was better than the first, except when we went out on the roads, I let the following statement slip out..."after this, I may need a drink." It was meant to be in the bubble above my head. Bren replied by saying, "Mom, I have never heard you say that."
Thank goodness those were the only two lessons we really need and he has been off and running ever since....we don't see him around here as much as we used to....the first step of letting go I guess.
We and he split the cost of a 16 year old Ford Ranger truck. It is actually cheaper for us to have him with his own vehicle on insurance. Obviously that is without collision because if a truck is 16 years old, it isn't worth much as it is.
Anyway, this truck was stick shift and Bren learned to drive on an automatic. I was so excited because I have been dying to get my hands on a stick shift again. Ever since converting to the mini-van 13 years ago, I have been in automatic mode. Bob does not drive stick shift, so the training was all up to me.
I have to say that I am impressed at how quickly he learned -two days of about 45 minutes each and the next day he was driving on his own. It was very impressive; however, those two 45 minute periods did not go very quickly. Driving a stick shift is one thing...teaching it, a whole other story. The first night we probably tried a little too long because when he stalled it and couldn't revive it 5 times, he was so frustrated that I thought I would be driving the truck from now on and he would take the van.
Amazingly enough he came home the next day from school and was ready to try again. It was good to see because Bren has never been highly motivated for school or overly motivated in the many sports he has played, but when he wants something, he has the get up and go to do it. I was really glad to see that.
The second day was better than the first, except when we went out on the roads, I let the following statement slip out..."after this, I may need a drink." It was meant to be in the bubble above my head. Bren replied by saying, "Mom, I have never heard you say that."
Thank goodness those were the only two lessons we really need and he has been off and running ever since....we don't see him around here as much as we used to....the first step of letting go I guess.
Comments
Post a Comment