Hi I was just wondering how many other people out there don't drive? And how do manage to get through your extra activities without a vehicle? :?
While I'm not technically a non-driver....I generally choose not to. Since the passing of my father, I suffer from severe anxiety when I get behind the wheel...I'm hoping this will pass, but as of now, it's not safe. We tend to wait for DH to experience things with us as far as school type things go, so it luckily hasn't affected us too much & we live within walking distance of the library, sooooo no real advice here, just I feel your pain :cry:
I've been temporarily a non-driver for about the last six months. My dh has been very gracious about driving me around, and my elderly friend who also doesn't drive. DH and I have a tiny little private school, and we're out of school during the summer, so - not so hard. The three of us have had more than our share of medical appointments this summer! BUT I've just gotten my right eye done, cataract removal and lens implantation, and I'm going to be able to SEE pretty soon! I can see with the one eye, but I don't feel ready to drive until I get the other eye done, in a few weeks.
so sorry to hear that. Hope things get better soon. We use to be, when we had one car, what I did if I need the car took dh to work and then went and picked him up...
I too don't drive ouit of fear. .................... I feel bad that the kids don't get to go to extra activities but we just can't afford them either. I try to do things at home and we try to get out with my mom at least once a week and when that doesn't happen we (ok I) get a little cranky.
You are a non-driver? you must have grown up in the city itself....We who went to CASS got our licences the moment we could....I had my beginners on my birthday (16) and licence less than 2 months later
Yeah I did grow up in the city mostly and being the youngest my Mom never pushed me to get it. Then I lived in T.O. for awhile an didn't need it and bounced into another city. Then met DH who doesn't mind driving me here and there. Course now my Mom is on me all the time about 'when are you getting your license?' LOL. Anyway I use the bus and cabs a lot. I also walk with the kids if it's under two miles It's just a big time drain all the extra time put into the getting there. I am thinking of getting my license soon but realllllllllllllllly don't want to lol.
It wasn't long ago that women from the previous generation; my mom and older, didn't drive. It wasn't done! My grandma didn't believe it was not ladylike and all those ladies who did drive, she thought they were on the wild side!!! LOL In turn, my mom didn't learn to drive until I was a teen. She was afraid for the longest time and also thought the man should drive. Her feelings about driving weren't as strong as my grandma's but she thought the man should be in the drivers seat for more years than I would count.
We are a one car family. My DH has carpooled 1-2 days a week for the past year or so, which helps, but we are headed back to no carpooling. Each place we've lived, we have been fortunate enough to live within walking distance of the library, and a couple places, the post office (a HUGE help, though not very social LOL). There is usually a park within walking distance, but that's not always very helpful socially - so much hinges on public school schedules. One of the things I miss about living in the city is public transit. We are still in Houston for several days a month, and my kids are totally used to riding the train (although it's still enough of a novelty to be entertaining). And they keep bugging me to ride the bus...I need to find somewhere to go to appease them I understand what you're saying, but I also see it as exercise and burning some of that energy they always have plenty of. Often, I will also pack a lunch we can nibble while walking. FWIW, I tried having my boys ride their bikes. The town we lived in at the time, it was safe enough for them to ride to town, then we'd walk. Our church was right at the corner, so we'd lock our bikes up there. BUuuuuttt...the 30 minutes walk to church took 45 minutes to ride(!). I finally gave up, I just could not get those boys to ride fast enough to even match their walking speed. That's okay. I figure they can just ride for fun for another few years and we'll try again.
I have anxiety issues too. I have panic disorder, and its worse than anything when I drive. I cant drive outside of the small town Im in. I cant even ride too far away, but Im trying to work on it. This is our first homeschool yr, Im praying too to have a way to get around, but I am lucky enough to be able to drive to the library and the few places around here. The closest home school group meets too far for me to drive, but I am hoping we can figure out something. Godd luck to you all.
If you don't mind answering, was it a long time before you drove comfortably again? It seems as though mine continues to get worse. I do have medication that I can take to "calm me down", but it also makes me tired, which leads to grumpiness, and well, that's just not fair to anyone lol Most days, I seem to do ok if I just stay in town, but there is still the occasional panic attack.
It is the opposite of that in my home. I do all the driving as my husband is the one who suffers from terrible anxiety when he gets behind the wheel. He actually don't like riding sometimes, but he manages with it.
I was wondering if there was anyone who does not drive and how they felt and dealt with it because our 21-year-old daughter does not want to get her license. She stesses out easily, and I suspect that is one of the main reasons why she does not want to get her driver's license. I am glad to hear that it seems to be very doable to not have a license.
I would highly advise her not to then, at least not til she's confident. I've tried the talking myself out of an anxiety attack approach, and have failed everytime.
My mom was killed in a car accident 5 years ago. I FORCED myself to get behind the wheel of a car almost immediately....I knew I would let it scare me out of driving if I didn't. I still let my husband drive whenever we're together. I expect it! Occasionally, if we're doing a loooooong trip and he's tired, I'll drive for a while. But I prefer not to. I can image when we're older I'll lose my ability along with my desire to drive!
