Life Lessons From The Passenger Seat
October 12, 2011
Posted By: Shaunescy
To the parents of small children - children too young to drive - enjoy the precious moments of which I refer to as "car time."
As you move about your normal daily travel routine safely cocooned in the car together, "car time" provides a perfect opportunity for life lessons to be revealed. Children have your undivided attention - except the fact you are operating a motor vehicle - yet, they feel safe enough to ask questions, allowing you time to respond uninterrupted.
I don't get those chances very often anymore since my son has a car and drives himself wherever he wants, and I don't think I'd be caught dead in my oldest son's car due to the lack-of-clean factor. But I'll tell you, if I had a time machine, I'd flash back to those days when we would drive together, alone in the car, and my kids would reveal the good, bad and ugly - just as easily as they would pour milk onto their cereal.
Several years ago, when we were still living on the north side of a mountain, my son and I were driving home after a long day. As it usually happens, the best conversations come out of nowhere.
I will attempt to recreate what was said:
My son: We took a survey today. Me: Oh, what was it about? My son: What we think about stuff, like our teachers. Me: (Contemplating...) What did you say? My son: I said I don't think they can make me safe. Me: (Confused.) What? My son: You know, if we had something happen like Columbine, I don't think my teachers could keep me safe. Me: Honey, if anything like that ever happened - if you were in the classroom and someone had a gun - I'd want you to do whatever you could to keep yourself safe. Hide under your desk. Anything. Do you understand? My son: (Looking at me - innocently and intensely) But mom, maybe I'd be the one who'd save all the kids.
My son: We took a survey today.
Me: Oh, what was it about?
My son: What we think about stuff, like our teachers.
Me: (Contemplating...) What did you say?
My son: I said I don't think they can make me safe.
Me: (Confused.) What?
My son: You know, if we had something happen like Columbine, I don't think my teachers could keep me safe.
Me: Honey, if anything like that ever happened - if you were in the classroom and someone had a gun - I'd want you to do whatever you could to keep yourself safe. Hide under your desk. Anything. Do you understand?
My son: (Looking at me - innocently and intensely) But mom, maybe I'd be the one who'd save all the kids.
Mom, maybe I'd be the one who'd save all the kids.
Sometimes, there simply are no words by which to reply.
This was one of those times.
Katie Walters is the author of An Authentic Life where she quips about life in Montana with Sexy Hubby and 'The Junior."
