“You’ll need to have a driving licence when you have the baby you know!”
I remember being told this when I was pregnant with Kieran. Yes folks, I am a non-driver. I always meant to learn and probably could have afforded it when I was 17, despite Roy & I getting our first house together then. It just didn’t seem a priority then, and as time went on, bills went up and spare time grew shorter. So here I am, a mum of two who doesn’t drive. Goodness, how do I cope?! Some people are aghast that I’ve never learned to drive. I did take lessons when Kieran was younger but then Christmas came along and I vowed to pick them up again.. but didn’t! Besides, I love walking and fresh air certainly hasn’t done the kids any harm so far!
“How do you manage” is the common question. Well public transport isn’t my favourite means of traveling but it’s there and it’s to be used. If you are savvy you can get about quite easily, even in a rural-ish areas such as Thirsk. I have a weekly shop delivered most weeks which is convenient and saves me a fortune (apart from my meat which I get on the market). We have a good range of independent shops in Thirsk so can get most things we need here but for bigger items and christmas shopping (etc) I do most of my shopping online and would do even if I could drive, it’s easier and cheaper for these things.
The insinuation that the kids miss out or that I must find it “difficult to cope” annoys the hell out of me to be honest. Roy drives so we do get out and about, but on a daily basis we do just fine! My Mum raised six of us without a driving licence, we didn’t miss out, and she didn’t have a breakdown as a result of it. I don’t drive because at this stage, having never had a licence, it no longer interests me. Am I bad Mum, lazy? Perhaps as some kindhearted people have hinted, I’m too used to being “looked after” by Roy (THIS DOESN’T PISS ME OFF AT ALL). Clearly it is impossible to be a strong independent person without the ability to drive?
Perhaps I should be grateful that people seem to care so much about my mobility?