Let me start off by saying that yes, I am one of those mothers. If you ask I will tell you about my son and tell you what he’s up to. Why? Because I’m proud of him and of course he is an only child of a single parent and much of my energy has been focused on him.

Well last week he gained his independence. At least in his eyes that’s what happened. He got his license. I told you all before that it’s what I feared most. Not so much that he can drive on his own, but rather that he would be driving my car by himself. So on his first night out he dropped me off at a friends for a party and then he was off to pick up his friend so they could go to the movies.

Within an hour I’m getting call “Mom, we have a problem.”

“What do you mean we have a problem? Are you OK?”

“Yes, but there is a problem with the car.”

“What? Did you have a wreck?”

“No, the tire blew and it’s flat.We were leaving Rally’s and it just popped.”

Of course I was upset. Not at him, but at the fact on his first night out, in the pouring rain and I had no way to get to him. He called his grandparents for help, but rather that wait he went ahead and changed the tire himself. One of the things Cole forgot to tell me is that he had pulled into a parking lot and off the road after he left the fast-food eatery. So as I sat at my friends and waited for my parents to get to Alton I worried about him being along side the road somewhere, especially Homer Adams Parkway.

I’m proud of the fact that Cole was smart enough to change the tire himself and he did it right. (It’s something I couldn’t even do.)

I told him that although I remember getting my license I don’t recall what I did the first time I drove by myself. I said it’s one of those memories that you will always have and be able to tell your children. I mean he didn’t panic and did the responsible thing.

The next day I had four brand new tires put on (they needed it) and although it cost me I realized that his first adventure could have been worse. He could have actually be driving 50 mph down the road when the tire blew and crashed. The next night when he took the car I wasn’t so worried. I guess him showing responsibility during an emergency eased my anxiety.

Up next is how I will feel when he has his own car.

It’s official –my son is 16 and after tomorrow he will have his driver’s license. He’s excited, but I’m feeling more apprehensive about it. Why? Other than the obvious reasons it officially makes me feel old.

Turning 40 didn’t bother me as much as Cole getting his driver’s license . Maybe it’s the fact that he doesn’t have his own vehicle and will have to borrow mine. I’m going to worry until he gets home. I’m not afraid of him driving –it’s the other drivers I’m worried about. When your vehicle is the only mode of transportation…you get the picture I’m sure.

I remember when I got my license. I couldn’t wait. I’m sure my parents felt the exact same way about me getting my license as I do about my son getting his. I’m fortunate though in all the years I’ve had mine that I’ve never really had any problems “behind the wheel.” I say that lightly because you never know when something will happen.

There are many milestones in parenting, but the one so many of us fear is the day our children get their license. I never really got “it” until now. You can be the most cautious driver in the world, but another driver can “wreck” more than your car — it can damage your entire life. I don’t want to have to worry every time he leaves and shuts the door.

I want him to remember that 16 is a terrific time and when he’s my age and has kids he will be doing the same thing as me –worrying.