Sitting alongside a learner driver

[SeventhWave]

I had no idea. No idea at all, that I would feel like a wrung-out wet lettuce afterwards and need a lie down in a darkened room

DS (19) has had a fair amount of lessons already, and we went for a short practice drive earlier today. I've never been in a car with a learner before. He was reasonably ok for a rookie I suppose, but OMG the feeling that I wasn't in control of anything...

Please tell me that I will get used to it, and that it will get easier!!

I thought I was doing really well in maintaining a calm demeanour until DS just looked across and calmly said "You can't steer the car by tensing your thigh muscles, you know Mum!" I still swear it was actually helping.

I had to stop taking DD2 out. It was all too tense. One day she had an issue at a junction and we had to swap places so i could drive home. We were both a bit put off by this. After that she only had lessons with her instructor and passed easily so i would say save yourself the pain and just let him crack on with the instructor.

Mine learn in dh's car, thankfully. Two down and one to go.

I did go out with the first reasonably early in the process but it was horrendously stressful. The second suggested I go out with her once when dh was away but the eldest told her she really didn't want to do that .

I ended up in the back of the car for one of her lessons (dh was away and the instructor likes the parent to sit in for at least one lesson so he can instruct them in instructing). I yelled hurry up at her as she was turning . Dh went with her the next time and the instructor's greeting to him was "Thank god you're back".

So I think you're very restrained.

Another one who totally feels your pain!

Luckily we live in a rural area, so we were able to start on very quiet country roads. I have only had to shriek once when we had a near miss at a mini roundabout .

DS is pretty confident now, and it does get better.