Parent Expectations

Amy Sorensen
Salvation Journal
Parent Expectations
When I turned sixteen it was natural for most teenagers to get their license in my hometown of Anderson Township. I however was afraid to drive so I simply told my parents that I didn’t want to. My mom harped on me and told me she had been waiting for me to drive so I could help out more. As the oldest child I tend to be the tester for everything. My brother has some learning issues so they wanted me to drive first so he wouldn’t have to. My dad also knew teaching me would be easier and give him practice before he had to teach Drew. I was continuously guilt tripped and begged to drive, but in reality I had severe anxiety toward cars in general, putting me behind a wheel would have been a horrible idea!
Other than my parents, I also had my grandparent’s criticism. My grandparents are both highly judgmental and looked down at me for not driving and being a “normal” ten. My grandpa would make back-handed comments in large family gatherings and when I turned eighteen, he praised my younger cousin for beating me to the driver’s seat.
My family, both immediate and extended expected me to be like everyone else and drive at sixteen. I felt like a failure when they would say they were disappointed, but with anxiety it was hard to control my emotions regarding cars. I had very little control over the matter, but my parents saw all the other kids driving and thought I should be to. I felt horrible and it was a rough time of my life. Finally though the summer after I turned nineteen I was able to put all the anxiety and criticism behind and now I am a licensed driver!