Take a deep breath, then slowly let it out.
My 14-year-old daughter passed the written driving test and secured her learner's permit yesterday.
Now, I am perusing the Iowa Department of Transportation publication "You're The Coach: A Guide to Parents of New Drivers" and I can't help imagining worst-case scenarios.
For example, I read this:
"Stop the practice session if either you or your teen driver become stressed. It could be dangerous to continue. Let everyone calm down. Later, discuss what led to the stress and what can be done to prevent if from happening again."
And I imagine saying this:
"OK. Let's review what happened there, OK? Yeah. You were actually going a little fast -- 70 -- and that road is actually a one-way street in the other direction. Next time, maybe the screams of those passers-by could provide an important clue. Oh yeah. That vehicle that veered off the road and dipped down into that ditch. Yeah, that's right -- the one with the flashing red lights. Yeah, that's called an 'ambulance.' It was going to take some people to the hospital. What's that? Oh well, yes. That man in the uniform who fired the warning shot across the bow of our car? Yeah. That was a policeman. Good observation! Once he comes to, he will probably want to speak with us. Hopefully, we'll be able to hear him over the din caused by the television news helicopter."
Take a deep breath, then slowly let it out. I'm not sure I'm ready to coach my teen driver just yet.