Car Talk

My kids and I have our best discussions in the car. Maybe it's because I have a captive audience - what are they going to do? Jump out of a moving car? Or maybe it's because this is about the only time I have one-on-one with any of them. Maybe it's because we're sitting side by side and my eyes are on the road rather than peering at them... Regardless of the reason, this is when we have our most meaningful conversations. It is because of this intimate time that I often enjoy being Mom's Taxi Service. (And it's an excuse to drive my cute little car.) I learn a great deal about my kids and their friends during this time, but more importantly, it often becomes a teachable moment. A chance to share my belief system with them. A time to discuss difficult and controversial subjects. Things we see along the road can lead to meaningful discussions we otherwise probably would not have. For several weeks a group of people were protesting in front of an abortion clinic that is on our way home from school. Every day we watched these people. Rain or shine they were out. You had to admire their dedication and tenacity. But we wondered if they were just anti-choice or if they truly wanted to help the women who may have felt the need to go to such a clinic. I took the opportunity to talk to my daughters about the dangers of judging others and the need to help people who are in crisis. (Personally, I wouldn't choose abortion for myself, but I don't know the situations of those who were there and since I'm not willing to raise their children, I'm not going to tell them what they should or should not do.) It is truly amazing the insight 14-year-olds have regarding political and moral issues. The girls became so concerned about this that they questioned one of the leaders of our church about it. He had to admit that they were right - we should do more than condemn abortion; we should offer solutions (And this is a man who practices what he preaches!) There have been many other incredible discussion that I can't really write about without compromising confidentiality, but suffice it to say that one of the most effective classrooms I've ever taught in has four wheels, two or four doors, no desks, and moves down the road... I wish I could drive some of my fifth graders (or maybe their parents!) around.