In the name of love, as Lani says it is, she is now officially learning how to drive. Having received her Learner's License on the 7th of Nov, we have already started our teaching and practice sessions to get accustomed to driving.
Our first practice was just in our driveway and garage. Just a simple session to get her familiar with the controls (starting of engine, gear stick, pedals, hand brake and lights) and then to get her comfortable with the gas and brake pedals.
The following week, we went out around the neighborhood to get her used to driving on the road. While she managed to go around the block a few times, she was still nervous with the sight of cars around, even if they were parked.
A few days later, we went to a quite street between the border of Telopea and Oatlands where she got to practice some straight road driving and doing U-turns.
Then last Sunday evening, we went to UWS College Westmead campus knowing that they have a really big parking lot there that's completely empty on weekends. And I'd recommend it to any new drivers looking for a place to practice in. It was very spacious and unobstructed that it gave Lani the chance to really familiarise herself with the car's steering characteristics. It was also long enough that she got to drive on wide open road at 40kmh for several seconds.
Last night, after church, she drove a good 2kms, halfway from church to our home. It was her first night driving experience. And this afternoon, in between Ethan's school awarding ceremony and my first chemotherapy, we practiced again at a residential area in Telopea.
Lani's getting a lot more comfortable. Very soon she will be able to drive at least to and from the church, and if needed, the hospital in case my chemo takes its toll on me.
Keep it up, Mommy.
