I spent the last week riding in the passenger seat of our car, hitting an imaginary break pedal and clenching my teeth, while Seth did the actual driving. We’ve kind of failed at the whole driving thing with our firstborn due to (as I explained to him) circumstances outside of our control. Seth will turn eighteen in September, and will hopefully get his driver’s license in early October. He did start driving a long time ago, but we had a friend who was doing most of the teaching. Then that friend got married, and things changed. Around the same time, our second car stopped running and all we had for more than six months was our 12 passenger van, which Seth understandably did not want to learn to drive. So there was a long period of him not driving at all. We recently had our second car repaired, hence the renewed efforts. It makes me really nervous to ride passenger while he learns. But, I realize that this is my job and it’s going to be my job for many years, to teach all eight of my kids to drive, so I better get used to it! I am doing my best not to make too many sharp, audible inhales, and to remain calm and encouraging. Today, while Seth and I were running errands, I called home to ask Jonny a question. When he answered he asked how I was doing. I told him, “We’re still alive.” I can do this. I can.
My girls and I are in mourning because we finished reading Julie’s Wolf Pack a few days ago. I think that of the three books in the Julie of the Wolves trilogy, it was our favorite. (Amazon links are affiliate links.) I loved it every bit as much as my girls did. Thankfully, I have Mitford. I sure do love that book!
That photo of my four grubby little ones was taken at the end of day two of a three day baseball tournament. I posted it on Instagram, and it was suggested to me that I make it black and white, so I did! I think I ought to print that one. Oh, and the baby bird is a barn swallow that fell from its nest. Gabe replaced it, and it has since fledged. We have a family of them living in our garage, which has its pros and cons. I’m afraid the first family has invited some friends to join them in the attic space above our garage. There is a hole in the drywall, and they access it that way. They are beneficial birds, but we’d like to be able to close our garage doors!
I saw a photo on Instagram recently of a little girl wearing a head scarf made from some sort of crinkly looking fabric. I knew I had to make something similar for my girls. I ended up ordering about ten yards of organic cotton gauze fabric to experiment with. I cut it into squares, stitched along the edges so that it would have a frayed edge, but wouldn’t keep fraying forever, and then prepared it for dyeing with natural dyes. I dyed some with osage orange shavings, some with avocado pits and skins, a couple with rosemary, and some with indigo. I really love how they turned out! The fabric is super lightweight, so it is great for warm weather. And while my original plan was to make these for my girls, I’m wearing them all the time too! I like keeping my hair out of my face when I’m working. I tend to fold them up and wear them as headbands more than as head scarves. I’m really enjoying working with this fabric, so I got a little crazy and placed an order for more of it. A lot more! I’m planning to offer a small batch of the head scarves in my next shop update, and I’ll have larger scarves later this summer. I’m very excited about these!
Jan says
I have sat with all four of our learners and I wasn’t any more relaxed with the last than the first – how I longed for dual controls! I perfected the art of having my hand “casually” resting near the hand brake ?
I love the Mitford novels and there are so many of them which is always a joy when you find a series you enjoy.
Kathy says
The ONLY reason I’m glad I only had four children is I don’t have any more to teach to drive. My 4th will get her drivers license soon (also just turned 18) and I am glad I am done with this task. She did hit a deer last March (with me in the passenger seat) and totaled our 20 year old van but after four children, that’s the worst that has happened. And we’re all still alive! Deo gratias.
Taryn@WoolyMossRoots says
So many beautiful pictures, it’s fun to see what you’re up to! Wishing you all the best with the driving lessons. My mom made it a few blocks with me before she had me pull the car over, past experiences as a passenger made it impossible for her, so I had driving lessons with other people instead. I love those head scarves and want to buy one when you have them available!
Beth says
Ginny, head scarves are totally your jam! You look so beautiful in those photos.
Ginny says
Thank you! I am really enjoying these!
Lana says
The top picture is what wonderful days are made of! There is an old poem in a cookbook that my Mom has that is about children in a meadow and sunshine and dirt and at the end they are all taking a bath after a wonderful day of play.
Our children all got their licence at 18 and we do not regret making them wait. But, my husband did the teaching because it purely terrified me to be in the car with them. I am 58 and my Mom still stomps around on the floor for the brake and gasps the whole time she rides with me. I have had one accident in all the years I have driven and it was not my fault!
Shirley says
Always enjoy your blog and IG especially the nature photos so dreamy. How do you get that effect and what camera do you use? Beautiful family that black and white photo is great. Received the avocado pit dyed skien love it. Shirley
Ginny says
Hi Shirley! I have a Nikon D600 and usually shoot with a 50mm lens. The “dreamy” effect is from shooting at a wide aperture which lets plenty of light in and creates an image with a very shallow depth of field. 🙂
Ellen says
Oh, it can be frightening – for both of you. And 18 is not too young. I helped teach 3 of my kids and am teaching the 4th now. Our first also took a driver’s ed course to help early on, but the other 3 haven’t. One didn’t get a permit (not even the license) until age 18, one until 19 and one until 22! (yes, that was late in my book) …but every family has different circumstances (and those can change from child to child as well). A unique approach to every unique child.
Breathe! 🙂
Heather says
Mother of nine here. First four have learned on Big Blue, our 12 passenger van. You gotta do what you gotta do!
Ginny says
I wish I could convince him to drive the van! But, he doesn’t feel good about it because of the fact that the gear shift is broken. You can’t see what gear you are in, but have to “feel for it.” You are right though-gotta do what you have to! Thankful our little old Taurus is running again for the time being. 🙂
Jolaine says
Always love your photos and blog, they are a “treat” to my day! I learned to drive by taking my dad, a farm implement dealer, on after dinner service calls to area farms. Driving his truck! I had 3 younger brothers and it seems like they got more of his attention, so this was special time alone with my dad, fond memories. Can’t wait to see the scarves listed on your shop!
Angela Chenus says
It is lovely to see your blog again; I remembered you had decided to slow down the posts; or was it just for the Yarn Along? Maybe it was my life that got crazy. In any case, I am delighted to be visiting! I am now practicing with our number 3 driver, and it gets a little easier. I also gave up on our philosophy of “No driving, even with a parent, until you are 16.” (My French husband was quite set against young drivers). They are way too busy at 16 to get in enough driving hours with you to make them competent and safe. One more thing we’ve given up on…for the better, in this case. Get’em driving young; more knitting time for Mom, once they’re slightly better at it. But goodness, I am not ready for my soon-to-be-14-year-old son to be anywhere near the wheel. I think 15 might be a good compromise. Give my cardiac levels a chance to rest for a year or so.
karen says
teaching my daughter to drive (firstborn) was stressful. I started with the basics and once they were driving side roads my husband took over for highway driving hours. Teaching my son (second born) was not stressful. Every time I inhaled or gasped he would say ‘it’s okay mom, we are good’. Him! reassuring me 🙂 He is still like that.
Kate says
I too am working with children learning how to drive. It is definitely nerve racking. This week we have to do some expressway driving. I wish the schools still did this. I will work harder to just suck it up and do it. Thank you for making see that I am not alone in this.
Theresa Boedeker says
The headscarves reminded me of my growing up days. I wore them off and on, especially when outside. They are comfortable and handy. When I went on a ten day bike ride, I returned to wearing them. Very handy under a bike helmet.
Annie Kitching says
The same sort of thing happened with our oldest and driving – what a blessing that was! It made it possible for me to use him as an illustration and say, “In our family no one drives until they are 18.” I think that is a MUCH more reasonable age (at least it certainly was in our family) and it is working out pretty well. We still have one teen to go, and little Monica – years ahead…….
Wendy says
The headscarves are lovely!
Jan says
I love the Chicken march!!
Leslie Haan says
Hi Ginny
I enjoy your writing, your photos and your children through your eyes, words and pictures!! Thank you for sharing, it is a gift to receive your email every week!!
I have a book/series suggestion for you that I hope you’ll enjoy. It is the Masie Dobbs english mystery series by Jacqueline Winspear. I started with the 2nd book “birds of a feather” and then went back to start the series. I’m glad I did it this way and recommend you trying it, since I’m hooked and hope you would like this too!
I pray blessings on your family and thank you for all the smiles and inspiration you have given me over the years… 🙂
Leslie
Marilyn says
Thank You for an enjoyable post,as usual. That picture of the four little ones is adorable. I do drive. My father taught me many years ago. I no longer have a car so I do a lot of walking now. Good luck to Seth on his driving.
Marilyn
Marion says
Love the photo of the four children. I love to see pictures of your family. My father started teaching me to drive. We were on a street when a car in back started honking. I stopped got out of the car and never returned behind the wheel.
Marion
Joan says
Nice post. We have visitors in the garage. There is a hole in back and the cats decided to make it their home.
Joan
t.a.knight says
My oldest is now old enough to get her permit but we are hesitant to pursue it just because of who she is. She is a young 15. And I think 15 is to young to drive anyway. Both DH and I drove at 17. But each child and family is different. You just know when you child is ready you know? I told her when she can find a little job that will pay her pocket change for her gas and give her a place she needs to drive to we will come around to considering it. Until then our second car is waiting patiently in storage for her.
Hannah Carlson says
I am excited for your headscarves since I recently started headcovering and those would be perfect for the summer!
Rita Moeller says
My kids HAD to drive as early as possible–at 16–because the Catholic High School was too far for me with the others in Catholic Elem. Time constraints! And here in busy CA the freeway was the only direct route. Frightening! I spent a lot of time praying. I taught, Dad taught and of the two, my nerves were better than his. And although the boys destroyed two cars within the first six months of driving, they all survived. We used to say, if they can make 6 months without an accident, they’ll be okay.
Your rural setting looks blissful to me!
Heidi says
The head scarves are great but the photo of the kids along the wall…..????????????. That summertime at its finest!!
Cathy says
Good luck with the car driving thing,can’t say I envy you one bit, one of the hardest things I had to do as a parent, especially with the youngest when I had a brand new car! I noticed the head scarf straight away, useful and fun.
Penelope says
You have the best ideas ! and the cutest kids ??
Barbara says
I’m 75 years old now but always remember the time my hubby decided to let our teenage son, who had recently gotten his license, drive on the interstate highway for his first time.He had only practiced on country roads previously (Very little traffic!) So when my husband pulled to the side of the road and announced he wanted our son to drive on the interstate for the 80 miles to our destination, I could do nothing in protest, other than get out and walk! I got in the back seat of our minivan, took out my rosary, and laid down and prayed for the next 80 miles. Our son is a cautious, safe driver, and loves to tell this story.
Ginny says
I think I would have done the same thing!
Lou in Colorado says
LOVE the headscarves! Hang in there with the driving/teaching. It’s not for the faint of heart. :>
Winwick Mum says
It’s the strangest feeling to be driven by your own child, isn’t it? My eldest daughter learnt to drive a couple of years ago and I was the one to take her out most of the time. I was lucky that my daughter was quite a cautious driver and our time out together was never traumatic – it’s not easy to be a passenger without the brakes under your feet but we were all learners once and a calm learner will make a calm future driver which can only be a good thing for everyone! xx
Leslie F says
The grubby kids in front of the red striped wall has serious Norman Rockwell vibes and should be titled “Summertime”….it is perfection!
Kate says
You are way ahead of me as a driving instructor. The earliest any of our kids got a driver’s license was 18. We put it off until then because of the requirement for classes, cost of insurance, etc. My husband also has a prejudice against putting anymore teenage drivers on the road, including ours! We didn’t have an extra car and we didn’t really need any extra drivers for a while. Combining trips, public transit, their feet, and carpooling worked for many years. I pretty much leave getting their license in the kids’ hands. Once they are 18 and when they are motivated and feel ready, they take the test for their permit. Then I sign them up with a driving school for a few lessons before I take them out for further practice. I have a couple of kids in their early 20’s who still don’t have their license. Mostly because we don’t have the extra cars and they don’t have the money for a car or insurance since their money has been going towards college tuition. My oldest daughter was the most motivated and eager to get her license, but now that she’s on her own she wishes she lived in a auto-less society or a city with better public transit. Car payments, insurance, maintenance, parking fees, gas are taking a big bite out of her teacher’s salary.
Ginny says
Kate, I’m glad to hear that we aren’t the only ones doing this on the later side! Thanks for sharing the way you guys have handled driving.
Nicole Spring says
I love, love, LOVE the headscarves! Please tell me you’ll be making more. We are still trying to pay off our move (and and did I mention Kevin got a John Deere for all our acres?!) so it will be a little while before I have spending money again 😉
Ginny says
Don’t ask me about the tractor that Jonny bought to mow our grass–that doesn’t start and just takes up space in the garage!
Andrea Wells says
I enjoy all your photos so much! This week, I especially love the three chickens lined up!
Andrea Wells says
My son didn’t get even get his permit til he was an older 17, then his license just after his eighteenth birthday. My daughter has been eligible to take her road test for 2 months, but has not taken it yet and may not til the end of summer. It’s not how we planned it, but it is how it is! My husband is out of town 4 days a week, at least, and it has been hard to find the time to teach them! It is less convenient for me not to have them driving sooner, but many studies show raising the eligibility age for a driver’s license increases road safety, so I comfort myself with that!
Nancy M says
I understand the driving thing. Totally prefer my husband to take on that but not always able too. We’ve been rather late on ours driving but we have reached the goals and have 3 more kids to learn as well. So I get that and with Hashimotos I feel like it adds stress but they are ready and I must rise up to the challenge. It’s helpful for sure once you have extra drivers. Love the head scarves. Good idea!
Jan says
All I can say is I cherish my time with small things. It gives me so much peace and pleasure. I am 88years old, I am in the process of moving in with my son and daughter in law and getting rid of all my collections of 67 years marriage. I am blessed to be able to care for my husband. Thank you for The beautiful things you share,
Ruth E Showalter says
Any comment about the goat with no ears? Hilarious!
Jane Hopper says
So glad you posted that, I knew I couldn’t be the only one entranced by the earless goat.
Ginny says
She’s a LaMancha goat. They have tiny little ears! 🙂
Cassie B. says
I am about to start teaching our 10th, and last, child to drive! Over the years I think it has gotten harder because other drivers are so distracted. Several of my children had to learn and take their driving test in our 15 passenger van because that was our second car. We can all laugh about it now. Good luck as you continue with your teaching. Not one of my favorite things to teach.
Melissa Nichols says
My son got his license on his 18th birthday and he’s an excellent driver. He’s 20 now and made a solo trip from NC to NH for his summer job. My feeling is that the longer they have to practice, the better/safer they are when they are finally on their own.
Ginny says
This makes perfect sense to me! I’m not anxious to get my kids on the road any earlier than 18 (though some of them are anxious!!!)
Jane says
Oh that picture of your grubby littles is just so wonderful. Also the earless goat. We’re also in the process of teaching our firstborn to drive, and number two is coming up soon too. It’s… scary but unavoidable I guess! Here in Australia they have to clock up 75 hours of learner driving before they can even sit for their licence. It’s a mixture of tedious, reassuring and expensive. Imagine eight times that :O
Bee says
So many wonderful things in this post!
First of all, I love the picture of four of your kids by the red-and-white striped wall. What a great photo, both in color and in black-and-white. I’d definitely print it!
I also love how well Beatrix and Silas seem to get on – that’s the impression I get from your pictures, at least ;).
I can imagine being uncomfortable while Seth is driving – I’m a pretty anxious driver myself which is why I haven’t done it in years (which is not as problematic here in Europe as it is in the US – public transportation is stellar). Still, good for him for learning, and good for you for helping him! 🙂 I bet he is going to love having that freedom.
Finally: love the headbands/head wraps! The pink one especially is so cute!
Caroline says
The head scarves are very pretty!
Ginny says
Thank you!