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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Iabu,right?

55 replies

Cathycomehome · 19/09/2012 19:29

I need you people to give me a pep talk! I am 35. I can't drive. I've always managed and live very close to my work. However, new son's childcare arrangement means it will be a logistical nightmare for partner to get him to childminder and himself to work on time. Me driving solves this pressing problem as well as some less pressing ones that are just annoyances we've lived with.

I have a lesson. Tomorrow. I also have the fear! Iwbu to cancel it and fool myself that I can still manage (we could, but it makes my partner's long commute and early start very difficult, plus meaning baby will have to be in childcare a whole hour earlier, from 7 am!)

OP posts:

NotALondoner · 19/09/2012 20:54

LOL!

Annakin31 · 19/09/2012 20:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

wifeofdoom · 19/09/2012 20:55

As a driving hater myself an automatic car is a godsend... try it!

Scrubber · 19/09/2012 20:59

If I can drive, you can! I got the fear at first, but in the end I passed first time. Your driving instructor won't let anything bad happen. You might feel great afterwards for conquering your fear. I passed my test when I was 18 but didn't drive again until I was 36 and had to to start a new business. I also had to teach my 50 yr old DH to drive. Now that was frightening! Go girl, you can do it!

CanIOfferYouAPombear · 19/09/2012 20:59

Do it! I've just started doing mine, I'm about 8 lessons in and still struggling to get to grips with it but I'm determined to just get it over and done with.

Good luck!

TheSurgeonsMate · 19/09/2012 21:00

Good work, Cathy, go to it.

(I don't need Anakin's comment to know that the good stories are a better incentive than my rage. But I couldn't help myself. We have achange in life coming up which is going to mean more driving - ie more me being available for driving.)

livvymc · 19/09/2012 21:02

Well done you for making a start, wishing you lots of luck.
I started my lessons 4 weeks ago and I love it! Just wish I'd done it 10 years ago!
All the best for tomorrow

valiumredhead · 19/09/2012 21:05

The fear will go the more you do it - honestly.

Urgency is a good thing, it makes you pass!

Best of luck! :)

squeakytoy · 19/09/2012 21:07

Do it, otherwise you will get older, you will keep thinking of excuses, and you will get to a point where you decide it is too late. Just like my mum and my MIL both did.

Both were widow

squeakytoy · 19/09/2012 21:08

sorry, pressed send by accident..

both were widowed relatively young in their early 60's and both said they felt so isolated because they couldnt drive and wished they had learnt when they were younger..

Original poster

Cathycomehome · 19/09/2012 21:13

Ok. It's got to happen, thanks, all, and good luck to my fellow learners....I'll let you know how it goes...(I hope )

OP posts:

Hotcoffeeisamemory · 19/09/2012 23:00

Good luck tomorrow.
If I can pass, anyone can!

andallthatjargon · 19/09/2012 23:04

I never ever ever thought I would drive and now I can.... Do it :)

redwhiteandblueeyedsusan · 19/09/2012 23:06

driving is fab... though I as too terrified to take lessons for years after a bad experience.

if ti is too scary with the instructor you get tomorrow, try another one. some are better than others at dealing ith terrified pupils.

aldiwhore · 19/09/2012 23:09

I learned to drive at 33, I'm 38 now and like Toad of Toad Hall (but safer).

Pooop POOOOOP!!

Good luck, its scary for a while, then its fun, then its scary (first near miss) then fun, then you run a red light (everyone does that right? No?) But above all its so liberating.

Set yourself a time limit. Mine was the impending birth of the youngest son... don't faff. x

PinkChampagneandStrawberries · 19/09/2012 23:14

Op I was the same as you i had made a half hearted attempt at driving had 2 lessons and hated it and gave up- then years layer i found myself in your position and had to do it, i found my self a fantastic female instructor (who actually became a great friend) got on with the lessons and passed 1st time I'll be honest and say 4 years later I still don't love driving but I do love the freedom it gives me and I'm so glad I done it! My advice is find a great instructor and get on with it!! Don't give up it will be worth it in the end! And remember you are doing this for your DC as well! Good luck

BrevilleTron · 20/09/2012 00:31

Best thing I ever did! Gave me my freedom. Have been a professional driver but I'll ALWAYS have patience with Learners.
If you are in Brum and wearing L Plates dont be afraid of the big Rover 75 behind you. I'll give you all the room you need and a bit extra. We all had to learn and I get so many waves of thanks from instructors because I won't bomb past, and if you happen to be doing a manoeuvre in front of me then you go for it!

All the luck in the world and you may find you enjoy it so much you'll never want to get out of the drivers seat!!

TirednessKills · 20/09/2012 07:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Cathycomehome · 20/09/2012 14:40

I went. No one died.

I have booked a block of ten

OP posts:

TirednessKills · 20/09/2012 14:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

valiumredhead · 20/09/2012 14:42

Well done you!!!!! I hated pretty much all of my lessons until I got really good and ready for my test - I used to make up all manner of excuses to cancel

Quenelle · 20/09/2012 14:50

Well done and good luck with your lessons. It changed my life when I passed my test at 33. And, now I know this isn't the same for everyone, it changed the dynamics of my marriage. I felt much more independent once I could drive.

I finally managed to pass third time after buying myself an old Mini and getting lots and lots and lots of practice. It does get easier. I love driving now.

Original poster

Cathycomehome · 20/09/2012 14:55

Thanks! Quite looking forward to being able to actually drive now, you know, like a grown up! although it still seems about as likely as suddenly developing the ability to fly unaided, but still...

OP posts:

bumpybecky · 20/09/2012 15:06

I passed my test (first time) on about the fourth attempt of driving lessons, aged 38. I had a few, I gave up, I had a few more, I gave up etc until the final go when I actually wanted to do it and it was fine :) very scary at first, but ok!

Eighteen months on and it has made life so much easier. I really galls me to admit that as it means DH was right!

I'm not a natural driver and some bits were really tricky, but I really believe that if I can do it, so can anyone! good luck :)

MrsTerrysChocolateOrange · 20/09/2012 15:28

Go for it. We'll get you going to race days in a year

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