Caution: New Driver

The teen earned his license Thursday.

Hoo, boy.

On the advice of many friends, we avoided the Roswell Road DMV and headed north to Blue Ridge for the big test. Unlike the dismal, congested, dirty, cranky environment of urban DMVs, the two-person staff was friendly and relaxed. The driving examiner spoke matter-of-factly and even teased him a bit. There were only two people in the tidy little office when the teen and T arrived for his appointment. And his road test was easier thanks to little traffic and development. Since we don't plan to let the teen drive on Atlanta's crowded Perimeter or Georgia 400 without us for the first six months (confining him to Dunwoody), we were happier with a more low key setting for his test.

We presented the teen with his own set of keys, a gas card to be used ONLY for gas, and a magnet alerting everyone around him that he's a new driver.

He took his first solo drive last night, taking his sister on an errand to Walgreens and a celebratory brownie sundae at Bruster's, both just half a mile from our house.

T did a splendid job training the teen. The tween will be ready in less than two years for her lessons. With him.

'Cause momma doesn't do driving training. I can't handle the terror.

The politics of daily living.

It's one of the quirkier aspects of life that things happen in threes. Lately, the Knitternall family is delving into political waters on many fronts: a zoning appeals hearing with Dunwoody's appointed commission, the search for a new principal for Peachtree Charter Middle School, and our son's first steps into government regulation as he attempts to attain that all-important driver's license.

Our little neighborhood, tucked warmly up against the Dunwoody Village town center, has coexisted peacefully with lovely Williamsburg office buildings and the back of some of our favorite places to eat, shop, and celebrate. A developer wishes to add a very large daycare center and playground adjoining our back yard. Sigh.

DeKalb County Schools is in the process of appointing a new principal for Peachtree Charter Middle School. The most excellent Steve Donahue is "moving up" and away from the principal's office - we're delighted for his advancement but very sad that we have to lose him. As Chair of the Executive Council, I'm charged with the execution of our state-approved Charter, which includes making sure parents and teachers provide input for the selection of the new principal. How do you describe the perfect principal? I don't think "someone exactly like Mr. Donahue" will be sufficient.

A is worried about passing his test and I'm not looking forward to introducing him to the DMV. It's a rite of passage for every young teen, but sometimes it can be unexpectedly pleasant. All it takes is one friendly examiner and his fears will melt.

The politics of daily living can be emotional and enlightening at the same time. Our children will learn much from the process and from the way we parents handle it.

No pressure there!