27, 3 kids, and terrified to drive!!!!?

Question

Im 27, I have 3 kids,10,4,and 6 months and I am terrified to drive! Before the baby I did not mind bussing it everywhere but now I have to take a car seat and a stroller. The 2 older ones are in different schools and they both play sports. Im tired of being on the bus more than we are at home. I try to take the kids out as much as I can and they love the bus but Im really tired of it. Any tips on how to get over this fear???? ( I have had my permit at least 5 times but never go through with the drivers test. )

Answer 1

It sounds to me like you have severe anxiety. I have it too. Mine began to manifest with a fear of bugs that sting. It got to the point where I actually wanted to stop going outside in the summer b/c I was afraid I'd get stung. I wondered what would happen if I got stung (I had never been stung before) and if I had an allergic reaction, what would happen to my baby (5 months old at the time). Then I started getting up every morning and doing a walk through of the house to make sure there weren't any wasps or bees inside. It was at that point that I started to realize this anxiety was interfering with my daily life and it had to stop. I went to the doctor and explained what was going on. He put me on Celexa, which is for anxiety and depression. Within 2 weeks I started to feel completely normal. I was on it for a year, then had to stop taking it b/c my husband was laid off. I remained off of it for 16 months, but suddenly started having major anxiety about driving. First, I was just afraid to drive on the highway. Then it progressed to driving on busy main roads. Suddenly, I found myself DREADING driving to the point that I wanted to cancel appointments. I returned to the doctor who put me back on Celexa. He said that I'm very lucky to have an "outward sign" that tells me something is wrong. He said that many people suffer from anxiety and depression yet have nothing but "a feeling" to pinpoint it, and those people usually don't head to the doctor. I think you could be experiencing the same thing and it wouldn't hurt to talk to your doctor about it.

I must applaud you though, for it seems you've never allowed your anxiety to interfere with your children's lives/schedules! But you won't have to rely on the bus and waste all that time much longer if you end up getting some anti-anxiety meds. GOOD LUCK! And I hope you ace your driving test!

Answer 2

I assume you live in an urban area or somewhere with reasonably good public transportation, which is why you haven't had a problem up to this point getting around. However, driving in a city is dangerous! I live about 20-30 minutes outside Philadelphia, and driving downtown terrifies me! So I can see where you're coming from.

I would say, practice makes perfect. Practice driving somewhere safe, like a parking lot, or suburban neighborhoods. Little by little, introduce yourself to areas with more traffic, until you're hitting the major highways as well as the busy city streets.

I also recommend getting a driving instructor. There are many good private driving schools, or you might want to check with your local high school to see if their driver's ed teacher could help you out. A driving instructor can help you refine the tricky parts like parallel parking. Also, they're familiar with all the local laws, as well as the local driving test, and will be able to give you pointers.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I was in the same boat not too long ago. Before I had my baby I went anywhere and everywhere no problem, now I am fearful of getting into a car accident anytime my baby is in the car with me. Its never too late to take your driving test, its not as scary as you may think it is, good luck sweetie.

Answer 4

i was scared two i also have kids. but just remember the rules and dont play attension to the kids if they cry it wont be the end of the world and if you have to tend them just pull over driving gets you there on time, saves you time and gives you control of your time with the kids plus you will save money from not buying the buss pass.

Answer 5

Try Lucinda Basset tapes they are awesome.She talks a lot about agraphobia and other anxiety problems.I know you will love it,just give it a try.

Answer 6

you need to just get some practice without your kids being with you, and then stay off the freeway, you will get more Comfortable with time and experience.

Answer 7

I would talk to your doctor about anti-anxiety meds to help you at first.

Answer 8

how about car pool?