Teenager takes the long way across town

It's taking longer for me to get around town these days.

What used to be short trips to the store have become meandering journeys.

That's because my 15-year-old daughter, Becca, is behind the wheel.

Armed with an instruction permit from the state of Missouri, Becca takes every opportunity to get behind the wheel -- even if it is just to drive to a friend's house only a few blocks away.

My wife, Joni, and I have shared the duties of driving instructor. On Becca's car trips, Joni or I sit in the front passenger seat dispensing advice like "not too fast" or "slow down" or "put on the brake."

Becca insists on taking the long way to the store or her friends' homes every time. Right now, she's interested in the journey, not the destination.

Just going to the grocery store is exciting for Becca when she's behind the wheel. Not to mention, it can be an adventure for her parents, too.

Like other teenagers, Becca displays her driving permit like a badge of courage.

With her intense interest in driving, she routinely points out the motorists in front of her who fail to signal when they are turning.

I tell her not to do what most motorists do. That's a sure recipe for failing to pass the actual driving test when she turns 16.

So far, Becca's doing pretty well as a novice driver. It's just that there are no short trips anymore. Becca tries to extend every trip to get in as much driving as she can.

Her younger sister, Bailey, even compliments her driving. But I'm not sure one should let a fifth-grader judge anyone's driving ability.

As a parent, I'm proud of my teenager. But also as a parent, it's a little scary to realize that you've put your life in the hands of a 15-year-old without the protection of any body armor. I breathe a sigh of relief each time the van is put in park.

So far, neither of our vans seem any worse for wear because our daughter's at the wheel.

But we're taking it slowly. No sudden movements. No trips on the Interstate. Not yet.

Our goal is to get Becca through a year of driving without ever crashing into another car, pedestrian or pet pooch, or running into a restaurant menu sign in a drive-through lane.

Of course, I'm glad that Becca doesn't follow car racing. Teenager drivers shouldn't watch the Daytona 500, where car crashes are common.

At any rate, Becca so far hasn't displayed too much of a lead foot.

I wonder if Amish parents worry about their sons driving the horse and carriage the way we worry about our teenagers getting behind the wheel. After all, both situations involve "horse power." The mechanical kind is just a lot more powerful.

I don't know about carriage rides, but teenage motorists keep parents awake and alert.

There's no room for a nap club, not when Becca's driving.

At Indiana University South Bend -- where presumably there are no 15-year-old drivers -- students have established a nap club.

Leaders of the club say napping can heighten creativity, boost memory and increase alertness. But please don't tell that to novice drivers.

The Nap Club, as it's simply called, consists of a quiet room with the shades drawn, a few desks and chairs, and six air mattresses purchased through money allotted to campus clubs.

Up to 15 people can come in to doze at one time. The Associated Press reports that the club has attracted a steady stream of nappers, and there are 30 to 35 people on its e-mail list.

You've got to admire the founders of this club, students who clearly showed initiative, even if only at nap time.

After accompanying Becca on one of her road trips through Cape Girardeau, maybe Joni and I would both benefit from some rest. Maybe we could join the Nap Club as auxiliary members.

Mark Bliss is a staff writer for the Southeast Missourian.