Fatherhood makes me drive like a grandfather
As a coworker recalled the dangerously idiotic driver he encountered on his way to work this morning, I realized that my own driving habits have changed since being a dad. My response to his story about a person who raced him to the end of a drop off lane was “why don’t people just wait and get there 30 seconds later.”
My former attitude was more towards “that’s why I bought a six-speed turbo.” Although I was never a reckless driver, I now am much more careful with the little one ever present in the back of my mind or the back of the car. Our last ‘family automobile’ purchase was made squarely on safety for the little guy and I now slow down quite a bit whenever I’m behind the wheel. Neither of those things make me a grandpa driver, but it gets worse.
I now find myself considering alternate routes for risk mitigation and drive at different times with less traffic. Heck, I even use the term ‘risk mitigation’ which alone tacks on 15 years to my driving age.
I no longer see yellow lights as an opportunity to relive the chase scene from Ronin. Did I say 15 years? make that 25.
I even try and reduce the number of left-hand turns across busy streets. Did I say 25 years? Make that 40.
I now leave the house earlier when I have to be someplace at a particular time. That alone qualifies me for membership in AARP. I caught myself looking at lumbar pillows at the mall the other day, so pretty soon I may just end up taking a shuttle everywhere and transporting my son in the basket of my walker.
I don’t really care if I take on a more elderly pattern, the boy is worth it. The conversation this morning just made me realize that since my son was born I’ve changed lots of habits, and driving is one of them. How have you become more cautious since your kids were born?
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POSTED IN: Dads on Duty, General
1 opinion for Fatherhood makes me drive like a grandfather
The Father of Five
Jul 21, 2008 at 9:10 am
Wow… I thought I was the only one..
I also find it gets me better gas mileage too!
My oldest tells me all the time I drive like an old man…. (so does the wife!)
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