Driving Lessons Beyond the Wheel

Teaching our children to drive is more than a milestone—it’s a family journey filled with patience, teamwork, and life lessons. My husband Alex and I have a blended family of seven children, ranging in age from toddlers to teenagers. Right now, several of our children are at the age where driving is not just a dream but a reality we’re stepping into—some are already driving, and others are preparing to start. As a mother and the wife of a disabled veteran, the process of teaching our children to drive safely, confidently, and responsibly is something deeply personal for us.

Every family has their challenges, and ours is no exception. My husband Alex served our country proudly but now lives with a disability that affects him daily. Despite the physical limitations, he plays an active and vital role in our children’s lives, especially in teaching them life skills like driving. Watching him mentor our teenagers from the passenger seat is one of the most inspiring sights I’ve ever witnessed. He doesn’t let his disability stop him from showing up, and in doing so, he teaches them far more than how to make a left-hand turn or parallel park. He’s teaching them resilience, awareness, and responsibility—values that are as critical behind the wheel as they are in life.

Our family is big, loud, busy, and full of energy. With seven kids, the household never stops moving. Teaching multiple teenagers to drive at once can be overwhelming, especially when everyone has different schedules, personalities, and learning speeds. Some are more confident than others, some overly cautious, and some too eager for their own good. But we’ve embraced it as a family effort. We do more than practice road skills; we talk about real-world situations—what to do when you’re lost, how to handle car trouble, and what it means to drive distracted or under pressure. We sit down at the dinner table and talk about safety, laws, insurance, and the profound responsibility of a driver’s license.

What’s unique in our home is that driving lessons are layered with stories—especially from Alex. He shares his military experiences, emphasizing discipline and situational awareness. His background gives our kids a more profound respect for structure and rules. They listen when he talks to them about checking their surroundings or staying calm under pressure. He brings a seriousness to the topic that I could never match alone, and I’m thankful for the balance we get to this process.

At the same time, we also make room for joy. There have been many laughs during parking practice in empty lots and some light-hearted teasing when someone accidentally hits the curb. Those moments are valuable, too—they create memories and strengthen our bond as a family. We celebrate every passed permit test and every successful solo trip to the grocery store like it’s a rite of passage—because it is.

Raising a big family while managing two small businesses and attending school full-time can be heavy. But moments like these—teaching our kids something that will give them freedom and independence—make all the effort worth it. We want our children to be confident, capable, and safe on the road. As parents, there’s nothing more important than knowing that your child understands the weight of being behind the wheel, not just for their sake but for everyone around them.

We also understand that many of our children’s peers may not have the same level of hands-on support. Some teens learn to drive with minimal guidance or without proper road safety education. That’s why we take our role seriously—as parents and as part of the larger community. We believe in modeling good habits, being honest about our mistakes, and encouraging our kids to be the kind of drivers who others feel safe around.

Teaching our children to drive is not just about passing a test or earning a license—it’s about preparing them for life. They are learning how to stay calm in chaos, how to focus under pressure, and how to take responsibility for their choices. These lessons will follow them long after they’ve left our driveway.

Ultimately, we’re not just raising drivers—we’re raising good people. And that starts with love, support, and clear expectations. Our children are growing up in a household where they see firsthand what perseverance looks like through their father, what structure looks like through our guidance, and what trust looks like when we hand them the keys and say, “You’ve got this.”

We’re proud of the drivers—and the individuals—they’re becoming. And we’re even prouder to be the family helping guide them there, one mile at a time.