Thanks for your responses. I did fail my third test (somehow, right when I pulled out, there was another car behind me, even though I looked back and saw nothing). Predictably, I felt like crap, but I scheduled the next test available. I was able to hold it together enough to pass -- no points off!
I'm still a bit tense and nervous about driving, especially at night or when there are nuts on the road (and this is Long Island, so that's far from rare). But though I know I need to practice more often, I'm getting there.
Brian, I'm sorry to hear about your predicament. I could never call my mother abusive, but she was very overprotective and cringed at seeing "her baby" take the wheel. She got over that, but it sounds like that's not an option for you. It's tough when you're in such a bad situation, because nursing your wounds won't necessarily help, and neither will listening to unthinking people telling you to "stop feeling sorry for yourself."
The best I can offer you is to remind you that, if you do manage to keep your fears in check and get your license, you will have a great deal more independence for your mother. Keep that endpoint in mind, and work for it. It's obvious you need to get away from her, so make it your goal to do that by car.
Is it normal to be afraid of driving?
↑ View this comment's parent
← View full post
Hi folks, this is the OP
Thanks for your responses. I did fail my third test (somehow, right when I pulled out, there was another car behind me, even though I looked back and saw nothing). Predictably, I felt like crap, but I scheduled the next test available. I was able to hold it together enough to pass -- no points off!
I'm still a bit tense and nervous about driving, especially at night or when there are nuts on the road (and this is Long Island, so that's far from rare). But though I know I need to practice more often, I'm getting there.
Brian, I'm sorry to hear about your predicament. I could never call my mother abusive, but she was very overprotective and cringed at seeing "her baby" take the wheel. She got over that, but it sounds like that's not an option for you. It's tough when you're in such a bad situation, because nursing your wounds won't necessarily help, and neither will listening to unthinking people telling you to "stop feeling sorry for yourself."
The best I can offer you is to remind you that, if you do manage to keep your fears in check and get your license, you will have a great deal more independence for your mother. Keep that endpoint in mind, and work for it. It's obvious you need to get away from her, so make it your goal to do that by car.