Adult stepdaughter doesn’t want to drive (Major Rant follows)
Posted by BearFLSTS@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 800 comments
Am I freakin insane or what? (M) married to a wonderful but somewhat naive 62F. She has a 37 year old daughter. When we got married, I stopped the judge (married at the old church in Yesteryear village in West Palm Beach, Florida) and asked A “ I’ve asked your mother to be my wife and now I’m asking you to be my daughter”. That was 2002.
Now, it’s 2026 and A still lives with us and has no driver’s license, not even a state ID. She’s had experience driving but shows no interest in getting a license. I just asked her to please plan on spending some time behind the wheel with her mother or myself and then getting her license. She’s 37. Her mother has retired due to health issues. I’m 57 and injured from work and trying to plan ahead. We’ve got one car for the household and I’m just trying to cover contingencies. A says she do est want to try to get a license because “She needs therapy to be able to feel comfortable driving, since she hasn’t tried it for so many years”.
Fellow Gen Xer’s, I’m at a loss. I’ve been driving for over 50 years. How much therapy is needed to able to o-rate a motor vehicle in order to assist the two people who have been, quite literally, supporting you for the past 20 some odd years while you “figure out your life”???!!
I know I’m not her father. Her father never wanted to even admit she was his. I came into the picture when she was about 8. She has never accepted me as being someone important to her. I’ve tried. Long ass story that I won’t go into. I still keep trying even though I know I’m simply tilting at windmills. My hearts in pieces and has been for years. I’m not even sure why I’m writing this now. Maybe I just need to put this out there and then delete it all. I guess sometimes it hurts so much that you just have to throw it out there and let the world trample on it some more.
justme2221@reddit
How does she have a job without ID?
vhroot@reddit
To work in the US you typically have to have identification sufficient to "Establish Both Identity and Employment Authorization." There is a list of what is acceptable. You can provide one (1) from list a which are Documents that Establish Both Identity and Employment Authorization, such as a passport or permanent resident card or you can provide a document from BOTH list B (documents that Establish identity) ie:drivers license or ID card, military ID, VOTER'S REGISTRATION CARD or SCHOOL ID W/PICTURE (last 2 are a work around for some people) & list C (documents that Establish employment authorization) ie:social security card, birth certificate, etc.
How do I know this mundane & mostly unimportant info... I have hired & filled out more new hire paperwork for (not the brightest) people than any anyone should ever have to in their lifetime! 🙄
justme2221@reddit
Here in Virginia you register to vote when you get a state ID/Drivers License. I'm sure each state varies wildly on that though.
For a pure WFH job, I can't image they wouldn't require some photo ID. And as he didnt mention college, it would be questionable using an old school ID.
Of course, she could be doing the route of taking surveys and playing games, watching ads for money. Doesn't seem like she's pulling in much.
vhroot@reddit
You can register to vote when getting your license in Arizona, Utah & New Mexico also (I actually think you can in most states, but those are the ones I am recently familiar with) but that isn't the only way. You can definitely go to the county recorders office & register to vote with proof of citizenship. I believe congress is currently trying to change the law to the need for photo ID, but currently the law is 'proof of citizenship.'
justme2221@reddit
Just for curiosity, I looked up VA's requirements. It appears that you can register online, with options of not having a state ID
.
NWADirtRider@reddit
I can’t imagine not being able to get in my car or motorcycle and going. That said I grew up on a farm driving tractors around and riding dirt bikes before I was even a teenager. If a 12 yo kid can manage to control my anxiety and keep the car between the ditches any adult without physical disabilities can put on their big boy pants on and get thereself where they need to go. Grow the F up
stormntempest@reddit
I find it odd that anyone would not want to have a license and drive. As teens, we couldn’t wait for the freedom of getting a license, your first old beat up car that we could ‘do up’ and not relying on others for transport. I only know of one male now in his early 20’s that doesn’t have his license or drive and he has a substance abuse issue.
BrightBlueBauble@reddit
It’s very common—25%—among Gen Z to not drive (the person in the OP is a Millennial, and as far as I know that is not the case for them in general). The cost of used cars has increased to the point that young people often can’t afford them. Insurance is also prohibitively expensive.
And then there is the loss of third spaces and that fewer young people are interested in dating. It’s a lot less exciting to get a license when you have nowhere fun to go.
EnfantTerrible68@reddit
Third spaces used to be our friends’ homes/apartments, restaurants, movies, parks, live music? These no longer exist?
EnfantTerrible68@reddit
Same
NorthRaine67@reddit
I hear you.
What I don’t hear is: why is she living at home for $200 (sometimes), how much money she is making, what is she doing at home to help you and your wife, why is she at home, and what is her Disablity?
If her anxiety is so bad she can’t drive… is she fighting agoraphobia or social anxiety?
Your wife is disabled very young. Whatever is causing that, was your wife like this when she was younger?
This age group I often don’t drive, but that’s the least of the issues involved.
EnfantTerrible68@reddit
These are good questions
EnfantTerrible68@reddit
Yeah, I also started driving many years ago at 16! I don’t understand why young people are so reluctant today.
TealTemptress@reddit
I’m almost 52 and I’m teaching my 15f to drive. She’s afraid of deer. I grew up with much older parents and my Dad threw the Subaru keys at me when I was 15 and told me if either one of them had a heart attack or died I’d need to be able to drive a stick. I still yearn to drive stick when a vehicle is available.
My 15f enjoys our back country drives in the Subaru I got her. I figure driving a station wagon was cheaper on insurance. She still can’t park for shit and scares me sometimes but we’re getting there. Good luck!
hmmmpf@reddit
Yep. Took my drivers’ test in a 1976 standard shift VW Rabbit with am radio and no AC! The year after I graduated college, I moved to San Francisco with my standard shift VW bug. If you can parallel park on a hill there with a line of traffic behind you in a stick shift, you’re pretty good. The stick driving does come in really handy when you rent cars in other parts of the world! MUCH cheaper.
pomegranitesilver996@reddit
Same. Learners permit 15 1/2, DL at 16, my own car at 18-all stick shift. - the world has changed a lot and theres no need to drive anymore. I myself have released my lease and no longer have a car payment, insurance, tires, inspection, or the stress of white-knuckling the wheel in an ice storm when I am going so slow that I become the problem. There are MUCH bigger issues here affecting this womans survival after her parents are gone. Like doing laundry and paying the electric bill.
hmmmpf@reddit
I do own a car, but it’s a paid off 2017 Prius Prime still with only 38K miles on it, so am not a big driver. Most of those miles are from when I drove short-medium distances for work—mostly within my own city. Now, post-retirement, most of the miles I drive are road trips in the PacNW for pleasure trips—camping/hiking/coast where public transit is impossible. If I’m headed up to Seattle, or down to SF, I prefer Amtrak. In good weather, I walk or bike to my grocery stores and Farmers’ Market. If there a bus route with no need to transfer, or just a transfer to a train, I’ll use that in town, too.
pomegranitesilver996@reddit
Sounds like me, but I rent one for those excursions. Love Amtrak too - got a sleeper car for a trip along the east coast - beautiful! And relaxing - for me - although I know some people couldnt imagine a 3-day trip like that!
hmmmpf@reddit
That’s a reasonable way to handle it. My carrying costs are the very minimal maintenance on the car, and the insurance. I’ve got discounts for 2 lines (home and car) and a low mileage discount and a high credit score, so it’s pretty minimal any more. I would probably pay more for homeowners if I didn’t have the 2 lines. Also, paid cash for the car, so no payments or interest.
Rude_Parsnip306@reddit
I'm 54 and that was the same reason my father taught me to drive when I was around 11. I learned stick shift around 16 or so - he wouldn't let me take my drivers test until I could drive stick. I was able to pick it back up after decades - little bit of lurching around first.
Every_Selection_6419@reddit
My daughter is nearly 26 and was in a few accidents with her father who was addicted to pills when she was a child. She’s only 5’ tall (barely) she does have anxiety and we live in a very large city with insane traffic. All that said she was out on her own by her choice three weeks after her 18th birthday. She’s only boomerang back once when she went through a break up. She fully supports herself and she’s never once asked me for money even when I offer. We live in an extremely expensive city and she Ubers everywhere. I’ve tried to encourage her to get her license, but as long as she’s supporting herself, it is not my business. If she was 37 living at home, not paying rent and not driving hell no. I don’t know what’s going on with her mother, but this level of cuddling is hurting her daughter so much. I actually feel really sorry for your stepdaughter because her life is extremely small and limited, and that was by design.
eat-real-chips@reddit
The US is the easiest place in the world to drive - automatic cars, big wide roads, simple rules. This woman needs to get a grip and get a life: I cannot believe she’s 37 and lives at home and only pays $200 and doesn’t drive. It sounds like she’s 14 still
jezebella47@reddit
And most of the country it's the worst place in the world to rely on public transit.
big65@reddit
"A your mother's health issues are enough that she's retired early, my health issues are not much better and the odds of neither of us being able to drive within the near future are increasing day by day. At some point soon I will be retiring earlier than I planned and that means your mother and I will be on fixed incomes.
With our health issues this also means that we have to count each day as a blessing and a win but accept that tomorrow is one we can't count on as much as you can.
You have to make this a priority to get your license and drive, time is less and less on our side and yours as there is a point coming where we will have to rely on you to take us to an appointment or just to get out of the house but ultimately for you to be independent and take care of yourself and stand on your own two feet when we are gone."
ShutYourDumbUglyFace@reddit
You don't need to be able to drive to be independent. I'd say it's a more difficult life skill to learn how to use public transit. Plus we now have Uber and Lyft. Not to mention bikes and e-bikes.
big65@reddit
Outside of America I agree but it's a different story unless you live in certain cities otherwise you need a car.
ShutYourDumbUglyFace@reddit
OP indicated they got married in West Palm Beach. Extrapolating that to mean that they live near that area: I grew up in SoFla (Broward, one county south of Palm Beach). I'm aware of the transit issues in the area. It exists. It is not frequent and it does not go everywhere. But it does exist.
FDOT is also big on bike lanes (even on a 4-lane divided highway with a 50 mph speed limit - not the safest, but they exist), so with the proliferation of ebikes, I would argue that getting around a 2 or 3 mile radius - to the grocery store and probably Walmart or Target - is 100% doable.
And with the Brightline and Tri-Rail that go through Palm Beach, you can actually get all the way to Miami and Orlando without a car (what you do when you get there is a different story). I would hope Brightline connects with SunRail to get around Orlando at least a little bit, but I don't know if it does.
big65@reddit
I've worked in the Miami area and it's a location that I would not ride a bike in because of the bad driver situation.
Still it's good to be in a city with a strong public transportation program.
ShutYourDumbUglyFace@reddit
I literally just found out that Miami has a light rail. I knew about the monorail, but light rail?!
Also, I don't even like DRIVING in Miami. I am not aggressive enough.
big65@reddit
News to me as well though its been 20 years since I was there last.
ShutYourDumbUglyFace@reddit
Nah, man, it's been there for YEARS!!! My mind was BLOWN.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrorail_(Miami-Dade_County) not to be confused with the Metromover monorail.
big65@reddit
I was only there for a month and working 12/7 so not surprised I didn't see it unless it wasn't running due to track repairs after 3 hurricanes went through the area that year.
pomegranitesilver996@reddit
right - and i dont think presenting it as "we'll need u to drive us around" is very good either. OP has as many alternatives as the baby 37yr old does. No one needs to have a license anymore.
No_Swim_4846@reddit
Dyspraxia? Motor planning issues? ASD? Many folks with these conditions struggle with the sensorimotor aspects of driving
BearFLSTS@reddit (OP)
She’s dyslexic but I think it’s more just she prefers her currant situation.
painterlyjeans@reddit
It really could be extreme anxiety
xyzzyzyzzyx@reddit
Who wouldn't?
marugirl@reddit
My grown son lives at home and doesn't have a license so he uses buses. His choice. I didn't realize having a license was a condition of being an adult or living at home. Maybe don't rely on your daughter to be your taxi driver when you can't drive anymore. I'm certainly not relying on my son and don't think I have to right to insist he get a license if he doesn't want to.
CrankyCrabbyCrunchy@reddit
Not having a license and not being able to drive really limits his job opportunities. I’d want my kid to be independent and self sufficient not living in my house for 50 years.
marugirl@reddit
Lolol you funny. I'd rather he was out of the house too. BUT he is self sufficient, I don't much for him at all cos, you know, he's an independent adult that just happens to still live in his parents house. That doesn't make him dependant on me. Have you never heard of multi generational houses before?
annorafoyle@reddit
I'm a doctor and I don't own a car. I'm both independent and self-sufficient.
EmployerUpstairs8044@reddit
Well, that makes everyone else have to be taxis though I think it's what he's saying, too? Like if there's no bus.
marugirl@reddit
They want her to be their taxi driver when they can't drive anymore. I'm most certainly NOT a taxi driver for my son and I don't expect him to go out and get a license so he can be one for me. Just like they don't have to play taxi for her.
EmployerUpstairs8044@reddit
I think you are just assuming that and I mean that in the nicest way. Normally, we help our parents after we're adults. That's normal.... What is not normal is driving adults around forever and ever.
marugirl@reddit
Really?? It was perfectly normal years back when women didn't drive, why isn't it normal now? Lots of people choose not to drive. I know several grown adults who have never driven and they manage just fine. And don't rely on others to drive them so no freaking problems here.
Fettnaepfchen@reddit
Bicycles? As long as there are buses and roads daughter can cycle/walk. She doesn't need a license, but they can stop driving her around so she can decide if a license is worth it or not.
In Germany you go to a driving school and everyone starts at zero so there is no age limit to start. Many don't have a license in the city as it's expensive and you can get around without one. It's practical to have, though!
marugirl@reddit
What do you mean you start at zero? Baby pops out and heads to driver ed?
EmployerUpstairs8044@reddit
Hi. 🌷 We do have a driving course like that here which they call "driver's ed" (education) and anyone can go, also. But we need a state ID to participate in society, pretty much.
I think people are tired of this recurring theme and are in areas where biking or buses aren't options and it really wasn't an option for our generation because our parents made sure we could and did drive. It's a tool for survival, especially in the more sparsely populated areas. Just my observations based on the stories I hear.
EmployerUpstairs8044@reddit
Don't you think that's a little crippling for him as an adult?
marugirl@reddit
No, because he has access to good public transport so what's the problem? Is he not allowed to make a choice for himself when it comes to driving?
Soggy-Pay1389@reddit
Making attempt to an agreed small amount of $200 a month. That says alot. Thats a disrespect to the parents. Any penalties for breaking the agreement? If she struggles to pay the little amount of $200 how can you expect her to want to pay for her licence insurance and registration? Insurance for a new driver aint cheap. Maybe legit shes uncomfortable behind the wheel. If that's the case I wouldn't push that person to do so for my convenience. Anyone uncomfortable and forced to drive is dangerous for the driver, passengers and everyone on the road. Someone uncomfortable but wanting to drive is different as they want to drive. They become comfortable faster because they're not fighting it from being pushed/forced to drive. But is this just her excuse to avoid any responsibility?
Rent being optional even after an agreement with no repercussions says all responsibilities are optional. Why would she want all the responsibilities of driving? Taking care of ones parents is a no brainer. She is lacking morals and what it means to be a good person.I would question if she really has you and her mom's best interest. Is she just tolerating living there cause she's a lazy and avoiding any responsibilities?
Its kinda on you and her mom for allowing it. If you want any of this to change i can only see it happening with professional help as its not all just the daughters fault but likely all three of you.
Annual-Hair-6771@reddit
My oldest son had his license the moment he was 16, my daughter at 25, other 2 children though have not been too interested. We live in a large city with crazy traffic, so it is a bit intimidating for them.🤷🏼♀️ I know it will happen for them when it's truly needed for work or college, etc.
Dragonfly_Peace@reddit
See, this is what I don’t understand about Gen X parents. How the hell did we go so far from how we were raised
BrightBlueBauble@reddit
Considering how many of us were horribly abused and neglected, it’s a damn good thing some of us aren’t following our Boomer or Silent Gen parents’ example.
Fruitful_adornment@reddit
A lot of people don't drive. If it's an inconvenience for you, explain that to her and have her make her own arrangements for travel if she doesn't already. Uber or something...
EmployerUpstairs8044@reddit
After reading through this whole post, I am genuinely baffled at how many people's kids have just decided they are not going to drive. It wasn't so much of an option for us thank God
BrightBlueBauble@reddit
I mentioned this elsewhere but things are very different for young people now. Used cars and insurance are unaffordable, many kids struggle with anxiety disorders, and the loss of third spaces and a lack of interest in dating mean there isn’t a lot of motivation to learn.
916Buckeye@reddit
Start early. Take them go cart racing when they're tall enough to reach the pedals. Did that with my oldest when she was 12. When she turned 15 we were working on her learners permit. She was ready to roll at 16. She had already been driving go carts for 4 yrs. She'll also learned to drive manual. No texting and driving plus her friends can't drive her car.
My youngest was tall enough at 10. She'll be driving 6 yrs by the time she gets her license. She'll go through the test on 2 wheels. She's excited for her driver's license.
Make it fun. Learning to drive doesn't always have to be in a car. I was driving at 10. Grandparents had a farm. I was driving tractors and riding lawn mowers for many a summer before I had a license.
Ashkendor@reddit
I didn't start driving until I was 40 because I never had to. I spent a lot of time in places where there's decent public transit. Once I moved back to the sticks, I had to learn. I drove illegally for about a year, got my license, and haven't looked back. I've driven from northern NM to Phoenix, Vegas, and Denver. Being able to just GO is something I wouldn't give up for the world.
Now that my mom is getting older and losing her sight (macular degeneration is a real bitch), I end up having to drive her around more and more. Right now, we're planning a weekend trip to Tucson to pick up my grandma and move her to a retirement community near where we live. I've never towed anything before, so I'm gonna be driving an empty U-Haul trailer around her current place for a while to see how it feels and moves. 😅
CoffeeCup317@reddit
She doesn’t have to drive. She doesn’t get to expect that you’re now her chauffeur. Get a cab/uber/bus etc. and if you do drive her she should kick in for gas.
cagirlinoh@reddit
I knew a girl a long time ago who never learned to drive. She did it as a means of control over her own husband, whom she married because she dropped out of high school in the middle of the 10th grade. So while she sat on her ass at home with no job, she’d be calling him at work at least once a week to have him come home right now because he had to take her somewhere, could be as stupid as they were out of aspirin and SHE had a splitting headache. It’s a subversive and petty thing to do to someone, and what a bitch.
Then there’s my great aunt, too. Both she and woman mentioned above had one thing in common: they decided in their late teens that everyone would just have to cater to them, they were passenger princesses and that was the end of it. My great aunt had her sisters drive her everywhere, and for 75 years! To the supermarket (4 blocks away) clothes shopping at the mall 3 miles away, church, meals out, social events/parties, even in her own neighborhood, plus all of her hair and doctors appointments, until the day she died. Your step-daughter can use ride services, there is no shortage of carriers!
pomegranitesilver996@reddit
These young kids dont want or need to drive. Dont make her get a license! No one needs to drive these days, and many people are afraid of the road, as inconceivable as it may be to us. Let it go. Seems there are more important things to attend to, like rent and her own bills. She can survive when ur both gone without a license. She will not have necessary life skills otherwise though, if you dont get tough and teach her how to live on her own. Its not doing anyone any favors by coddling a 37 yr old with $200 in rent. Does she do her own laundry? Any house chores? Know how to budget? grocery shop? Does she even know what an electric bill costs? These are what tough love will do to save her life in the future. Forget about the stupid license.
Ashkendor@reddit
Where I live, if you can't drive, you're pretty much stuck relying on other people. You can get grocery delivery via shipping (USPS/UPS/FedEx), but that's about it. There's no public transportation out here either, and good luck even getting an Uber/Lyft to come out this way. There are definitely some areas of the US where driving isn't optional.
Spacecow6942@reddit
There are lots of places in the U.S. where you really do need to be able to drive.
pomegranitesilver996@reddit
yes, you have a point there. I wonder if OP's place is one of those.
PumpernickelJohnson@reddit
37 is not a "young kid".
pomegranitesilver996@reddit
that was a generality in regard to OP (and my) age-range, and not even the point. Catch-up now...
Harley_Mom@reddit
My daughter got her license at 19. She never wanted to drive. I said tuff shit yoyr getting your license. The kids today are anziety ridden.
Consistent_Fun_9593@reddit
Not without reason.
Blankbetty11@reddit
What does she spend her money on? Does she know her parents aren’t going to live forever and if mom goes first, she’ll be dependent on someone who ”isn’t important to her?” Do you think she has some sort of disability?
Photobuff42@reddit
The disability of entitlement.
HotIntroduction8049@reddit
I am sooooooo using that in the future.....often.
HotIntroduction8049@reddit
You get the monster you create. That being what her parent raised.
Maybe some life responsibilities would help like a punt out the door and a job.
fingers@reddit
My brother could only drive slightly high because of his anxiety.
My step kids didn't real start driving until their late 20s due to anxiety.
Your SD better know how to call 911. And you need to learn to call MyRide or Uber when it gets to the point of no more driving. She wasn't brought into this world to be a chauffeur.
Accept her as she is.
You can up her rent to pay for the future ubers.
Fun4TheNight218@reddit
I'm lost, what does 911 have to do with anything?
fingers@reddit
If the stepdaughter can't drive them to the hospital, she better know how to call 911.And when
Fun4TheNight218@reddit
Ahh, ok that makes sense.
Worried_Bullfrog_937@reddit
My 12 year old son says he doesn't want to learn how to drive. We'll see if he changes his mind in 4 years. But I find it very odd that a kid his age isn't interested in driving. He said if he ever drives a car, he will immediately crash into something.
str4ngerc4t@reddit
Driving is not for everyone but that’s why they have busses, Ubers, bicycles, trains, and so many other ways to get from A to B. Forcing your daughter to drive is not a solution- it’s dangerous for her and everyone I her vicinity. My husband is 42 and doesn’t have a license. He has tried driving, failed the test multiple times, and I think he is just too anxious to ever be a decent driver. If you and your wife need help with transportation, maybe look into services like Access A Ride in your area?
BmanGorilla@reddit
Some people should not drive. Don’t force one more of them to be on the road. The fear and uncertainty is probably real. As much as I love cars, trucks, everything, some people are super terrified of it.
That said, something has to be done. She needs to move to a city with easy transport and get her life started
Turbulent-Demand873@reddit
I agree.
Beetso@reddit
Like people on 'ludes?
bannana@reddit
None of this is about driving if you read between the lines here, OP has an almost 40y/o step child still living with them who has never had a job, doesn't pay adult rent, doesn't handle any bills, and sounds like they are basically unable to care for themselves but OP hasn't mentioned any disabilities so we might assume she's been coddled and allowed to do this for her entire life.
husbandbulges@reddit
I mean I get what you are saying and for someone who is truly traumatized, of course do not force them. I had a friend who killed someone while doing the driver's ed driving portion. It wasn't her fault, the person just walked out between two cars and the 80 something year old victim hit their head hard, dying. I've always wondered if the driver's ed teacher being 101 years old didn't contribute to the accident. But sure, she's exempted as long as she needs.
But this sure seems more like weaponized incompetence. It's not like she's clicking all cylinders outside of this.
GenX-ModTeam@reddit
Poor Behavior - No antagonism, trolling, rage farming, flame wars, juvenility, or any other overly cantankerous commentary and/or behavior will be tolerated.
likeittight_@reddit
husbandbulges@reddit
My mom had drivers ed taught by this old cranky HS basketball coach. Mom had me when she was 23. When I was 16, he was my drivers ed instructor too and was in the car with my friend who killed the guy.
He’d already had one accident on school grounds where he hit a support beam.
I can’t sa
EverythingScrolling@reddit
Yeah, these scaredy cat drivers cause accidents.
likeittight_@reddit
People watching TikTok while driving cause “accidents”. Or do we call them “oopsies”
thisisntmyotherone@reddit
There are genuine accidents and then there crashes. For me, I think the ‘driving while TikTok-ing’ is a crash and should come with the same points as a DUI. You could kill somebody like that.
likeittight_@reddit
Both should result in a permanent driving ban.
catgirl320@reddit
Yeah. My mom was always a scared driver and I'm thankful she never got in an accident. Now that she's 85, she's actually been very happy to have us take over most of her driving needs.
Manwombat@reddit
It’s very common here in Oz that city based twenty somethings don’t drive, it’s not something they need to do as it saves a lot of money in a tough cost of living environment, they remote work and use public transport or uber etc. The reliance on private vehicles is decreasing.
They do have a ID of course, just not a drivers license.
BlownCamaro@reddit
I will pay $300 a month. Can I move in?
Photobuff42@reddit
Do you drive?
BlownCamaro@reddit
Boy do I ever!
Salt_Level1420@reddit
If she says she needs therapy has she done anything about it? I’d press her on getting said therapy. Not everyone needs to drive, I know people our age that never have. But if this is something she needs/should do, abc she’s saying she needs therapy to do it, well then get moving is what I’d say to her. And living at home is fine if it’s mutually agreed upon but if she’s not paying the mutually agreed upon rent then that’s not ok. It sounds like she’s not respecting you. Which might be hard as the stepparent. What does her mom have to say about it? You need to be on the same page and present a united front or nothing will change.
567Anonymous@reddit
Does she work? Or are you supporting her too?
EnjoyingTheRide-0606@reddit
How does she get to her job? How does she go to the grocery store? Who drives your wife to appts?
I set some very hard rules with a blossoming drug addict adult child living at home at 18. No drugs, no drug use, must work, pay rent ($200), steal from me and you’re done. Said child wouldn’t abide by my rules so I presented choices: drug test clean (at that moment, I had it in my hand), go to rehab in the morning after a meeting tonight (I’d drive her), or leave. She left. It’s been 13 years and nothing has improved. Now a homeless addict with a felony record and rapidly losing teeth and beauty.
It is heartbreaking but when sober in jail, I have been told by her it was absolutely the most effective thing I could have done at that time. She tells any parent where she manages to flop with a friend to kick their kid out and go to Al-Anon. I went to Al-Anon and it saved my life!
Your daughter is akin to a flopped drug addict without the theft or chaos. Stopping the enabling is imperative. But I also understand you have to sleep with your wife and maintain the peace.
BearFLSTS@reddit (OP)
She does work from home by way of internet.
EnjoyingTheRide-0606@reddit
On Only Fans website? Does she help you with house expenses?
Nagadavida@reddit
Just get a Tesla and FSD.
hippiestitcher@reddit
She doesn't have an ID. I doubt she's ever worked. As I and several others have said, there is a hell of a lot more going on here than just not driving. I hope this was a wakeup call for the OP and they start seeking some help.
Hayday-antelope-13@reddit
How are you 57 and have been driving over 50 years?!?
Rude_Parsnip306@reddit
I'm 54 and my dad taught me how to drive when I was around 11.
cv640driver@reddit
This is the GenX forum…
Pretend_Piano_6134@reddit
Right??!!!
rorykavanagh13@reddit
The GOAT forum…
jazmatician@reddit
Sir, this is a Wendy's
ArcticPangolin3@reddit
And he was driving uphill, both ways, lol
throwaway747372707@reddit
And a manual transmission
rorykavanagh13@reddit
Hey, don’t judge. I’ve been driving for the same amount of time, and I’m 49.
Entire-Flower1259@reddit
He probably meant 40 years.
Charming-Concern5835@reddit
Or he's a farm kid. We drove tractors and trucks as needed, and riding lawn mowers as soon as we could reach the pedals. Nobody thought about our safety. 🤣
Juanfartez@reddit
I'm 53 and started driving tractors and other things by the age of 9. Had a motorcycle license at 14. Now my wife 53 on the other hand has never had a license. I tried teaching her but she's too scary ( not scared) to be on the road. And I'm a truck driver.
discourse_friendly@reddit
she needs to do some go-karts, then autocross, then she'll be fine behind the wheel on roads.
Auntie_Venom@reddit
My grandmother never drove, as my mom put it, “she’s too nervous” she always lived in areas with bus routes. She’d get dressed up (as one did back then) and take the bus downtown to shop and whatever other errands she had during the sat while my grandpa was at work. Otherwise, my grandpa would drive her places. Once they moved out of the city, she’d take cabs or get rides with other family members.
That said, I think the OP has left out some info… As in WHY he wants her to drive? Is it to help out for appointments? Is it for planning when OP & wife don’t drive anymore? So she’ll be more independent? Things like that. If none that’s an issue, then let her do her thing in that regard… But toughen up about that $200 rent, and increase it to a reasonable amount so she’s accustomed to how expensive life is. When I was cut off, when I got married, it was a RUDE AWAKENING.
Personally, I’m riddled with anxiety but not when it comes to driving! It’s one of my favorite things to do. The independence of it all. I love the adrenaline rush of driving autocross courses and tight cornering. Now I feel like going out and putting my paddle shifters to work! I know, I’m weird lady and proud of it.
discourse_friendly@reddit
I love it! put them paddles to work!
and yes, great points, the why needs to be examined.
Informal_Phrase4589@reddit
JFC these kids are so fucking fragile.
kperry1270@reddit
🤦♂️
PicklesAndCoorslight@reddit
I think it's ok if she doesn't drive, as long as she's working and has public transportation down.
LostInMyOwnWorld71@reddit
I'm a genx. I don't drive, never have. I also live where there is public transportation, and a metric ton of uber/lyft. Work full-time, walk to work, unless it's storming. I don't rely on someone to take me anywhere, except by hired car. I don't understand our society's obsession with someone not driving.
m0nkeyh0use@reddit
Probably just location bias - living in a more rural area that does require a vehicle of some kind. My oldest does know how to drive (and isn't afraid to), but she lives in the city and never took a car with her because she didn't need it and it just costs too much to keep a car in the city. People who've never lived in such an environment sometimes have a hard time thinking outside their box.
I personally plan to retire to an urban area so all of us can avoid the whole issue of, "when do we take mom's keys away from her?"
PicklesAndCoorslight@reddit
Yeah, I love driving and probably have driven a million miles or more. But I have a brother that just isn't keen on it. It's not for everyone. As long as you can function I think it's fine. Now 37 and never moving out of your prents home is a little weird.
Entire-Flower1259@reddit
Well, it would be nice if she could drive her mother and maybe her stepdad to the doctors’ offices when they get too old to drive.
Apprehensive-Bag-900@reddit
I'm one of the only people in my friend group that can drive. My gen x friends don't drive for a variety of reasons. It's annoying having to always be the DD because literally no one else knows how to drive. Is SD current in therapy? Is she able to run her life without driving? Most of my friends live in cities so riding a bike or taking the bus/transit are valid options. I get wanting her to help with household stuff as you and her mother are aging, but that may not be something she's willing to do. What does her mother say of all this? A lot of my friends kids (who are now in college) also didn't want to drive. I advised all them to get their license as it becomes harder as you age. And being able to drive is a good life skill. Most of them, reluctantly, did learn and are happy now that they did.
pomegranitesilver996@reddit
why cant ur friends get an uber or public transport like i do? its not ur responsibility to always be dd - its your choice
Apprehensive-Bag-900@reddit
They generally take transit, but if we're going to dinner or something together I'm already driving (I live in the burbs so less reliable public transit) so it just makes sense to take them along so we all arrive for the reservation together. It'd just be nice if there was someone else who could run the hurricane evacuation or take the wheel for a few hours on a trip to the beach so I'm not always the responsible one. Every option to relieve these issues costs me money I don't have (taking an Uber, renting a bus for group events, etc). I'm already paying for a car I can't afford to add to my transit budget by being frivolous.
pomegranitesilver996@reddit
yeah, i get it. its easy to say from here, just tossin' it out there. Maybe try what I do - I have a license but not a car - I uber or walk or bike or bus - without a car payment, insurance, tires, insurance copay, inspection, roadside assistance, etc., you DO have the money. And if I want/need a car I can rent one for a lot cheaper than owning one. You can also order anything you want or need for cheap $7 delivery for groceries, free with Amazon Prime. Anything you need can come to you affordably (esp without owning a car) Free 'scripts with health insurance...everything. I looked at my real budget and thats what opened my eyes. Taking an uber to work worked out cheaper than owning my car. See what yours works out like-just for fun. Its not as limiting as it may seem when ur used to a car. I would never go back to all the money and all the responsibility.
Apprehensive-Bag-900@reddit
I'm disabled so biking and walking aren't really feasible for me. I took the bus to work when I lived in the city, but now I can't swing all the walking that would require. And it would add an extra 1.5 hours to my commute (2 buses) which is 20 minutes with a car. My boyfriend doesn't have a license and he is able to bike, walk, take the bus, and Uber when it's feasible. But an Uber isn't gonna get you out of the city for a cat 4 hurricane, so that's also a huge factor in my decision making.
pomegranitesilver996@reddit
Yes, there are certain special situations that would affect the choices we all make for ourselves. So you are disabled and driving everyone you know around, including your very able-bodied boyfriend? What would all these people (and all the other non drivers) do during a cat 4 hurricane if you didnt drive?
Apprehensive-Bag-900@reddit
They would stay and likely suffer or find someone else to evacuate them. My boyfriends father almost died during Ida because he also didn't drive or have access to a car and didn't have a way to get to a cooling center. Being poor in disaster prone places is not great. Hurricane season isn't looking great this year. My girlfriend usually stays, but walking 15 blocks with a bag of fema issued ice in 100+ temps is counterproductive. I guess under the current admin at least that won't be an issue, because they likely won't be handing out ice and water anymore.
pomegranitesilver996@reddit
oh my
jell236@reddit
I didn’t get my license until I was 30. I was absolutely terrified after an accident when I was a teenager. I finally broke down when I realized all of my friends were passing me by. They got tired of having to come pick me up to do anything, or always having to be their designated driver when we went out. My boyfriend broke up with me because he always had to be the one to come see me.
No amount of therapy will make her suddenly want to drive. She just has to get comfortable with it by constant practice. Parking lots are great for that.
Beetso@reddit
You're 57 and have been driving for OVER 50 YEARS??!! So you started driving at 6? Why is no one else questioning this???
cocosailing@reddit
I started at 9. It’s not unusual for rural children to start driving quite young.
UpstairsCommittee894@reddit
For real, We had field cars, dirt bikes, mini bikes, 3 wheelers, tractors, dune buggies, etc. If you could reach the pedals, you were old enough to drive. It still happens now, but "city folk" have no idea what life outside the concrete jungle is like.
Beetso@reddit
Wow, I had no idea! I grew up in Southern California, the concrete jungle to end all concrete jungles!
Bratbabylestrange@reddit
Well, my husband was riding minibikes at 7 and got his first motorcycle at 15.
And many people have questioned it, it's been addressed, please read the previous comments
Squibit314@reddit
With us gen x’ers driving at 7 is completely possible. 😁🤣
krneki534@reddit
as long as he is not drunk, I'll allow it
cmille3@reddit
My stepdaughter is almost 40 and has kids. She doesn't want to drive. My grandkids both got their licenses right away.
Master-Conflict481@reddit
I was hit by a drunk driver and went through the windshield. I was a single Mom just out of Nursing School. I was back driving to work within 2weeks. I have an excellent Guardian Angel. I just had some scratches on my face and a really sore body.
plantsoldier@reddit
Why does a 37 year old still live with you. The way you worded that it's not like she left and moved back in but just never left?
Barracuda_Recent@reddit
How could she leave? She doesn’t even have an ID. There is a lot more to this story. Like are they in a cult? This daughter couldn’t enroll in any kind of post-secondary education or have a job without identification. She has probably never been to a doctor.
plantsoldier@reddit
First, you don't need a D/L to leave the house.
Second, the question is that are we sure she doesn't have an ID or just doesn't have a D/L?
It only mentions D/L and you can certainly get a state id card without it being a D/L
Barracuda_Recent@reddit
OP says she doesn’t have a state ID.
plantsoldier@reddit
Guess I missed that part, good catch. Anyway, don't need an id to use uber etc or walk anywhere.
If she just literally sits at home that's an even bigger issue. If the dad is trying to get her to get a license to be able to move around and she's refusing doesn't sound like a cult to me.
BonCourageAmis@reddit
My kid is 23. No license. No interest in driving. A lot of young people have no interest in driving.
HereToCalmYouDown@reddit
I also have a 23 year old who does not drive. It's crazy to me. I literally took the driving test on my 16th birthday.
Squidalopod@reddit
Right? I was still 15 when I took mine. I'll never forget the thrill of the first time my mom let me drive the car by myself. I went on the freeway and felt like I was king of the world....in a Chevy Vega stick shift 😁.
rectalhorror@reddit
Both my college age kids drive because they have to, but plenty of their friends don't and I don't blame them. Driving in and around DC has always been hellish but post COVID, it's gotten way worse with zero enforcement. DC recent cracked down on serial offenders with hundreds of thousands in unpaid moving violations. I drive to work at 5am to avoid the traffic jams and regularly see drivers doing 90+MPH and tailgating. Incredibly nerve wracking and I've been driving here for over 40 years.
BonCourageAmis@reddit
The rise of ride shares has reduced the absolute necessity of having a car and license just to exist.
Squidalopod@reddit
I think the difference between Gen Z and us is that they seem to have much higher rates of anxiety, and they grew up with the (virtual) world at their fingertips. So, they're afraid to get behind the wheel and they're satisfied connecting with friends virtually.
It was pretty much the opposite for us where our desire to hang out with friends and experience the world was a huge motivator for us to get behind the wheel and get the hell out of wherever we were.
pocketdare@reddit
Seems like everyone is suffering from "Trauma" or "Anxiety" now. Call my naive but I think the vast majority of these cases could be solved by a good kick to the rear end.
scholly73@reddit
Gross take. Cool story boomer.
GenX-ModTeam@reddit
Prejudices & Hostility - No speech of any form targeting anyone, including but not limited to:
pocketdare@reddit
I keep imagining that people in this sub have a bit more life experience and don't all sound like Gen Z slackers. You've proven me wrong!
TessaKatharine@reddit
I don't necessarily always like Gen Z, for various reasons, but they're not slackers! Why do people keep on wrongly thinking this? Besides, all the so-called maturity and life experience (I always find actually trumpeting this out loud a bit sanctimonious/self-righteous) in the world, can only ever get anyone so far. People are always imperfect.
Goatcheeze1@reddit
Do you have a better solution?
Apprehensive_Gap1055@reddit
I’m 60 and have the same anxiety about driving
pinelandpuppy@reddit
This is so puzzling for me. You can't really get by in FL without a car unless you live in Miami or something. What is it that causes the anxiety? Other drivers, the traffic, all of it?
Apprehensive_Gap1055@reddit
I am in the Bay Area in California and public transit is becoming scarce. I take ride shares if I have to. My anxiety stems from having agoraphobia. When I have been behind the wheel, I feel as if I am on center stage and everyone is staring at me. I can disappear into myself on a bus/train with headphones.
DraftRich9177@reddit
Totally agree. The daughter is an adult and can learn to function as one. We can want the world for another person but if they don't take responsibility for their life nothing will change for them. Personally, I'd have the hard conversation of telling her that she needs to leave by x date and when the date comes stand firm and ensure she leaves then have the locksmith immediately change the locks.
pinelandpuppy@reddit
Honestly, she's just mooching off them at this point, it's gross.
DraftRich9177@reddit
100%! She's 37 years old for heavens sake - not 17 or 20. OP and mom are doing her no favor by allowing her to continue taking advantage of them. This is NOT about driving - driving is simply one way she is shirking her responsibility.
ViQueen331965@reddit
In my case, within a year and a half of each other, when I was little, my mum and stepfather both had car accidents with injuries requiring neck surgery. There's something about watching a formerly reasonably pleasant, competent person turn into a dysfunctional, abusive jerk, in my mother's case who walked into walls till she had her surgery, that turns a person off driving. Of course I'm sure that wouldn't happen to a superior specimen like yourself.
pmpdaddyio@reddit
Either boot the adult child or boot both the wife and adult child. You won’t win here.
KennyGeigh@reddit
Moron.
GenX-ModTeam@reddit
r/GenX does not allow harassment
JiveTurkeyII@reddit
That's right! Give up!
Throw it all away.
That's the solution. Walk away and think about yourself. No problems are worth solving. Making peace with a situation? What's the point in that?
Burn it all down and take a shit on the ashes, I say.
Nothing is worth fixing.
Hell with it all!!
(/s)
(for those that arent quite sure - this is satire)
MaenHoffiCoffi@reddit
Yeah! Just nuke everything!
pomegracias@reddit
Driving a multi-ton vehicle at speed when you’re in fight or flight mode is a horrible idea for the driver & everyone in the vicinity. You knew what was up when you entered the family. Stop being a bitch & learn some compassion & common sense.
GenX-ModTeam@reddit
Poor Behavior - No antagonism, trolling, rage farming, flame wars, juvenility, or any other overly cantankerous commentary and/or behavior will be tolerated.
Lalamedic@reddit
I’m sorry, who needs some compassion?
HumanExpert3916@reddit
That comment is from the entitled, immature and coddled stepdaughter
Lalamedic@reddit
Agreed. I’m quite sure when the daughter was 8y/o, OP did not foresee this situation.
PumpernickelJohnson@reddit
Get a spine, and get that grown ass, entitled, leach out of your house.
hoffet@reddit
Unless she was involved in some horrific driving debacle I would tell her that she doesn’t need therapy to face her fears. People just do that naturally. Though if she doesn’t want to drive why push her? If she is driving without one I would push her. Around here at least they arrest you for driving without a license.
No_Discipline5218@reddit
I'm 58, I've never had a license. I don't think there's enough therapy in the world that would make me feel comfortable driving. Between my anxiety and my adhd... it's just a no. (I do have an id and take perfectly good care of myself and my family.)
hmmmpf@reddit
My husband is about to turn 68 and had a learners’ permit once in the ‘70s, but never got his license. He lived in TX until he was over 40 years old, too. Rode his bike or walked. Now in Portland, there are lots of public transit options.
PabloDabscovar@reddit
Do you live off your mother and stepfather?it’s ok you don’t drive but you are independent. BIG difference.
No_Discipline5218@reddit
Agree completely... but difference. But he asked "how much therapy is needed to operate a vehicle." And for me the answer is that there isn't enough! Ha.
Witera33it@reddit
I’m 53 I hate driving I resisted getting as a teen and instead rode my bike everywhere. When I moved to a big city, I sold my car, got a quality bike, Rode bike everywhere. I’d rather be doing that now, but where I live is not bike friendly.
My partner loves driving so I let them.
I learned late in life, after getting an AuDHD diagnosis that driving is one of those things that is very difficult to do. Anxiety inducing and exhausting. If public transit in the US were like public transit in Japan or Europe, I’d be set.
I miss Japan for this reason alone.
peruvianheidi@reddit
Yeah I’m in the spectrum and driving is always a source of stress. My father basically bullied me into getting a drivers license and a car and to be honest I am grateful because as much as I hate(d) it, it is a life skill like swimming. I try to use public transport when I am alone because I love trains, but as a mother of 3 I absolutely need to drive and it would cause a lot of strain in my household if I couldn’t. OP, driving anxiety is a thing but it can absolutely be conquered. I actually went to therapy because I was terrified of tunnels. Start slow, always the same route, pick Sundays where there’s no traffic and she will slowly build her confidence. Maybe she’ll thank you when she is my age.
skwigi@reddit
I'm in my fifties and never got a driver's license. I also learned late in life that this isn't uncommon for people with AuDHD, which I believe I have. You aren't alone.
VoodooDuck614@reddit
You can’t keep it all inside. Your body and mind will cannibalize itself if you try to hold the shit in, day after day, year after year. The pain in your post is just palpable.
Whatever you do, don’t do or feel about your life, just know that the Reddit Army has got your back.
BearFLSTS@reddit (OP)
Thank you. I guess I just needed to let some steam go.
theinvisablewoman@reddit
What dose your wife think of the whole situation,? Have you talked to your daughter about moving out and standing on her own 2 feet? Did she study or train for anything?
LayerNo3634@reddit
Does she work and pay rent? I know people who don't drive, and they are competent adults who work, pay bills, and use public transportation. If that's the case, that ok. If she is not working and paying rent, that's a much larger issue than driving.
I quit playing chauffeur when my kids turned 16. If they wanted to go somewhere, they drove or figured it out. My youngest didn't want to drive. She was forced to when she couldn't bum rides from friends anymore.
BearFLSTS@reddit (OP)
She works from home by way of internet and makes an attempt at paying the $200 a month agreed upon. Not very successfully though.
hippiestitcher@reddit
How does she legally work and get paid with no ID? Cash through freelance work or something? I'm not attacking, I'm honestly trying to understand. *Why* has she never gotten an ID? How does she identify herself at things like medical appointments?
SurpriseWeekly2791@reddit
You can get a state issued ID without being licensed to drive.
hmmmpf@reddit
OP states that she doesn’t even have an ID.
Sil14@reddit
OP says she doesn't even have a state ID, nvm license. That to me is crazy.
wannabuyamonkey1001@reddit
Except he says in the post that she doesn’t even have a state ID. So I’m curious as well!
hippiestitcher@reddit
I know that - I have one. OP said she does not even have a state ID.
Difficult-Future-450@reddit
My 35 yo is fine with driving, got their license at 16. My 25 yo didn't get their license until push came to shove and they needed it to get back and forth to college. They walked to high school and work. In reality they didn't want to foot the insurance bill, and I'm a mean parent, you drive you pay for insurance.
The "I'm not driving you to and from school, 45 minutes each way. Either get a license or move to campus." talk worked in my household.
hmmmpf@reddit
My 30 year old daughter has never driven. She has some anxiety disorder that’s pretty well controlled, but just has never wanted to drive. She’s spoiled though, as we have fairly good public transit in Portland, OR—people whine about it, but it IS functional. When she was in HS, the school district gave every student a free bus pass, so they learned how to use the system on their own, and she had used transit with us as a kid. She uses that primarily, plus Lyft, plus rides from friends who drive occasionally. I have zero problem with her inability/unwillingness to drive.
However, as an old genXer, I made my mother take me to the TX DPS after school on my 16th birthday in Nov 1982 to take my driving test. There was literally no public transit in our Austin suburb back then, except for the single line that pretty much brought “the help” in. I would’ve needed to walk an hour+ with no sidewalks and one highway crossing to catch that one into the city.
Granted, my daughter doesn’t live with me or expect me to give her rides places. She is fully independent and launched. We often meet somewhere closer to her apartment than my home, as she’s in a more walkable, interesting neighborhood with more places to eat/hang out. I park near her apt and then we walk places.
Competitive_Cry9556@reddit
My 47 year old brother won’t drive out his county and most definitely not on an interstate. At 16 I was driving two states over for a concert!! I am 52 for context. I just don’t understand it!
elphaba00@reddit
My oldest -- and lone driver -- so far didn't get his license until he was 18. He is somewhere on the spectrum, and he had a bad experience with the behind-the-wheel class at school, specifically the final test. We basically used a "carrot" approach to get him to the DMV during his senior year of high school. And it turns out that their test was much easier than the one the school offered.
He's almost 20 now. He goes to college 90 miles away. He doesn't come home often, but he will drive himself back and forth. He said his car mostly stays in the parking lot at school. When he does drive, he stays off the interstate. I've ridden with him on the interstate, but it's just one of his anxieties. He's going somewhere tomorrow (about 90 miles), but he's mapped it out on Google Maps to avoid the interstate. I did ask if he wanted to come home tonight and go from there, but he said no.
MountainMike_264057@reddit
My oldest didn't get their license until they were almost 30. Another one still doesn't have theirs.
They had ZERO interest and I didn't push. Sometimes wish I had.
I don't get it either. I couldn't WAIT to get mine.
But these ones grew up in a very different world.
gremlingurl@reddit
My adult daughter is high functioning autistic and is way too nervous while driving. I paid professionals to try to teach her but she wasn’t able to relax. I’d rather she not be on the road, for everyone’s sake. There’s Uber, Lyft and me or my partner. No big deal. Many people in big cities don’t drive either.
EnnazusCB@reddit
My young adult daughter is also autistic. At least she tries but she needs a copilot when she drives. I guess that’s not so bad
hamfisted_postman@reddit
You're 57 and you've been driving for more than 50 years? Did you grow up on a farm?
BearFLSTS@reddit (OP)
Actually I did. South Dakota!
hamfisted_postman@reddit
That checks out. I grew up in a small farming community in Canada coincidentally directly to the north of you. There were kids in my elementary school who drove tractors or trucks around the farm. I grew up in town so I never got to do any of that.
kerill333@reddit
We have two girls in our family (great nieces etc) who are much younger than her and have no interest in driving or in having the independence it gives. I despair.
mrdino99@reddit
I'm sorry but your situation is hopeless. You've both allowed her to be Peter Pan and never grow up. Now you want her to drive and pay bills too? It's never going to happen! She's 37!!! This should have been addressed at 13 or 14.... that's when you sit down with her and start to help her plan for her future schooling and her career goals.... not at 37!!! Is she planning to outlive you and live off an inheritance?
thatpunkyrat@reddit
I would help her get into therapy and get her tested to see if she has any neurodivergent issues. Driving anxiety is very real and she shouldn't be driving if she genuinely doesn't feel safe. Her age is irrelevant imo.
Wakeful-dreamer@reddit
Her age is very relevant.
A 16 yo with driving anxiety is one thing. A grown adult who cannot or will not support themselves or take steps towards doing so is an entirely different manner.
This is called arrested development. It is not normal for a 37yo to be doing nothing with their life. She needs to figure out how to earn the oxygen she breathes. Probably by figuring out how to get a job and support herself. Maybe in a city where she can use public transportation to get to work, the grocery store, etc.
thatpunkyrat@reddit
That's why I'm saying she could be neurodivergent. She needs to figure out what her support needs are.
Wakeful-dreamer@reddit
She could be neurodivergent, or she could be a freeloader who's been enabled her whole life. Ops story is kinda fishy so who knows.
Either way, being neurodivergent isn't an excuse for making other people suffer while you don't bother trying to improve yourself in any way.
thatpunkyrat@reddit
Do you not understand that a lot of neurodivergent people can't do things? She's not gonna magically get up one day and start taking care of herself. This is a learning process that will take time.
Celtic159@reddit
She's had 37 years. If you're neurodivergent you need to deal with the world as it is, because the world isn't going to conform to you.
thatpunkyrat@reddit
I'm neurodivergent (autism/ADHD) myself. How is she going to figure things out if she doesn't know how? She needs a therapist and a good support system.
Celtic159@reddit
She's 37, not 13. She's a freeloader who doesn't want the freebies to end.
At 37 she had all sorts of resources for ADHD available when she was in school. It's not okay for a 37 year-old adult to be sequestered in her parents' home and refuse to contribute.
VegetableRound2819@reddit
That only works if a knowledgeable adult recognizes and engages the resources. No 10 year old walks into the guidance counselor’s office and proposes a plan. I doubt very much Florida has well-funded school resources.
Celtic159@reddit
And a 37 year-old who needs therapy to consider driving isn't 10. That 37 year-old needs to grow up.
Green_leaf47@reddit
That’s what I’m wondering too
thatpunkyrat@reddit
It's not a big deal if she doesn't have a license, my husband's ex wife turned 50 recently and she doesn't have a license
CaptainAssPlunderer@reddit
Why does everyone slide to instant sympathy now and days? I understand that being sympathetic is usually good, but sometimes someone also needs a boot in the ass to get them going.
This is a situation that calls for it. She needs to be able to drive to help her older parents, one of them sick. A lot of times life doesn’t give AF about your feelings and you need to step up and do things you don’t want to do.
The disrespect that she shows to the man that raised her is a different subject for another day.
She’s 37 and needs to get her shit together.
Someone once told me that
Kids do what they want too
Adults do what they have too
She needs to stop being the first and start acting like the second.
thatpunkyrat@reddit
Imo tough love isn't helpful and sometimes can be borderline abusive. Being tough on her is gonna make things worse. She needs gentleness and understanding. I'm curious if she's had any traumatic events.
cadien17@reddit
I’m 53 and don't drive. It’s a completely separate thing from not supporting yourself.
BigDaddyBull_1989@reddit
Stop giving her rides and enabling her.
Helpful-Passenger-12@reddit
She needs to pay for Uber
TJH99x@reddit
There are obviously people who cannot drive due to physical or medical reasons. They get around with public transportation options. You don’t have to be the taxi driver. Leave her to her own means.
This-Professional-39@reddit
I think he's worried about having someone in household that can drive once he's unable.
SimpleVegetable5715@reddit
Yeah but he’s not entitled to her as his caregiver either.
This-Professional-39@reddit
I think if she's still living there, its not entirely unreasonable
hyper_cake_2709@reddit
ctgjerts@reddit
Does she work? No clue how to handle this now. By now, probably best to plan on using alternative resources when you and your wife need to be taken anywhere. Counting on the step child seems like a waste of time.
SassyNatureGirl@reddit
A suggestion that might or might not lead to something helpful - there is “driving rehab” that as far as I know is more for people who have not been allowed to drive for a period of time due to an injury and they need a review to get approval to drive and sometimes to get comfortable with it again, especially if the injury was from a car accident, so with the right driving instructor there’s a “therapy” element. Maybe something to look into.
But also yes, your feelings are valid! And, you are her dad.
Apprehensive-Bag-900@reddit
Oh wow that actually pretty cool. When I was a kid I had a car accident and I told my dad I didn't want to drive anymore. I didn't know what anxiety was then, lol. He humored me for a few weeks and then told me to suck it up and get over it. Which I was then forced to do, because I had to get to work and they still expected rent from me. Probably not the best way to handle it, but I'm still driving 30 years later.
Icy-Tomorrow-576@reddit
No idea what do do. I got my license at 16 and never looked back. Too many parents coddling their kids. They refuse to grow up and be independent.
CauliflowerLonely799@reddit
My 20yo won’t drive on the highway because she’s too scared to merge 🤷♀️
JuliaM24k@reddit
I understand that. Plus she’s 20, she has time to get used to it. Good luck to her.
ShutYourDumbUglyFace@reddit
If you or your wife are driving her places, stop enabling her.
If you're not driving her around, why do you care if she has her license or not? There are other ways to get around that don't involve driving.
Sibby_in_May@reddit
Does she have autism? Girls don’t always get diagnosed. My cousin
FairBaker315@reddit
Even if she has autism, that is no excuse for not having an ID.
My cousins middle child has autism but she had a state ID. She's 19 but functions on a 12 year old level so she won't be able to drive or live on her own but she got her ID. She was very excited because it gave her something to put in her wallet, lol!
Sibby_in_May@reddit
I agree with you. It is a necessity and you can get one from the state you live in.
analogpursuits@reddit
I wondered this too. Daughter may have something going on to hinder her "adulting" progress. To just throw up your hands and be frustrated isn't productive. Yes, it is frustrating, but perhaps OP can seek some medical advice and get her some help. Even SHE said she needs therapy for whatever is going on.
Chunquela-vanone@reddit
I didn’t learn how to drive until I was 40 and became a father, suddenly moving around with a kid was impossible without a car. Before that I never needed it. Still today I prefer to walk, bike or take public transportation unless I really must drive.
PabloDabscovar@reddit
You’re independent. Big difference this woman still lives at home. She’s not a mother. She has probably no job.
Jolwi@reddit
My husband pressured me to drive. I ended up driving into a wall when I hit the gas instead of the brake. If someone says they can’t drive believe them.
foogeeman@reddit
Nobody can drive until they learn, and everyone can learn. I could say "when people say they can't read, believe them." And sure, I totally believe them, but I also believe they can learn
EmmerdoesNOTrepme@reddit
Yep, it's 100% a learnable skill!!!
We just need to make sure we teach folks, and give them the time & safe opportunities to learn allllllll the various skikls a person needs to have, in order to drive safely!!!
And honestly?
Pushing carmakers to get away from the stupid touchscreens would help a TON, too!
Jolwi@reddit
I learned to drive when I was 16 on a clutch. I know how to drive. The point I’m making is some people are not good at it, or are not comfortable driving. I zone out while driving. I know I’m dangerous with a car. If someone is telling you they should not drive, they should not drive.
foogeeman@reddit
there really is no "can" or "can't" that is intrinsic to who we are. There is only either "practiced" or "not practiced." Skills can be learned, if you have a growth mindset.
Maybe you don't want to drive for whatever reason, and fine, but anyone can learn if they want to, assuming no physical or mental impairment.
AmerikanerinTX@reddit
I know this will be an unpopular opinion here, but lots of people don't feel comfortable driving, and it's becoming much more common with young people. I don't get it, I am WAYYY too American and genuinely feel trapped without a car.
The thing is though, I don't have to get it to respect it. And that would be my advice to you. She is 37, and while she may not have hit certain adult milestones that we recognize, she has surely hit some of her own. She is 37, she is nearly middle-aged, and I think it's important to recognize that she is competent and capable of understanding herself.
EmmerdoesNOTrepme@reddit
For those of us who are neurodivergent, i think a LOT of the "fear of driving" in today's younger folks probably comes from a combo of modern cars being "too smart", and them being aware of just how overwhelmed they get* from too much sensory input coming at them at once.
And they're worried that they could hurt themselves or kill someone if they make any mistakes!
I didn't get my ADHD diagnosis until i was 41, or realize i did have autism untul i was 46--just 4 years ago.
But i KNEW i didn't have "what it takes" to be a safe driver as a teenager! And i didn't really start feeling comfortable as a drier, until i was 23, after getting my license at 21.
And what got me comfortable, was driving a rust-bucket SUV that was mine, for lots of night-time hours, the years i was 22-24.
I was doing a lot of costuming for local commubity theaters, and driving back & forth from those theaters to my hometown, for 6-8 weeks at a time, to & from evening rehersals.
So it was just me, in my little beater of an SUV, without many "fancy" options, just a radio, and the mostly-empty road--with mostly Semi trucks, in all sorts of weather.
And that driving, where there wasn't much traffic, and i was able to learn & just practice "The Mechanics of Good Driving"--keeping your foot steady on the gas, "learning to coast" without touching the gas or brakes, leaving safe stopping distance in front, checking your mirrors while you also watch a long ways ahead of your vehicle, "sweeping" your eyes back & forth across the road, not looking at the road itself, etc.?
Doing that late-night solo driving, i was able to develop that "muscle memory" and "build skills on" to the base skills, over time.
But in today's modern, all-automatic, and all/ mostly touchscreen-run cars?
It would've taken me a LOT onger to get comfortable as a driver!!!
Because back then, you could "learn" your muscle memory for where each button & knob was!
You didn't need to take your eyes off the road--like you do with the screens.
And that was a LOT safer, than in todays more "technically advanced" cars.
When you think about the cars we* had, with maual windows, manual door-locks, KNOBS for the temp, fan, radio, lights, and the window-washing fluid plus the turn-signal stick that often controlled the washer fluid & wipers?
Today's cars have SO FEW BUTTONS!!!
They're starting to nearly all have touchscreens for the radio, the volume & stations, the temperature controlls, the fan speed/power, the lights have about five options--not just two, there's cruise control, and so many other things which are done on the stupid touchscreen.
AND young folks today are so used to "listening to the navigation system" that they no longer need to "develop the map in their heads" which WE used to help us "build muscle memory" for things like "that spot" where the road pulled the car to the side because "that road is banked steeply" etc.
WineyPoo@reddit
Agree 100%. I fully support adults making their own life choices, BUT that doesn't mean her parents are obligated to twist their lives around to support those choices.
AmerikanerinTX@reddit
100%
I didnt see him mention that they are burdened by chauffering her, but if so, of course that needs to stop.
My 26-year-old doesn't have her license. She has watched 2 younger siblings get theirs, and now her 15-year-old baby brother is starting the process. We put her in driver's Ed TWICE, and even hired private tutors, but she never got her license. It used to frustrate me GREATLY, especially when she moved back home for awhile.
At the time, it felt like a burden to me - but my feelings were lying to me. Truthfully, it wasnt a burden at all. She never asked me for rides, ever. She was totally fine to uber, walk, or ride a bike, even when massively inconvenient for her. I felt burdened because I had an expectation of adult children (living at home) running errands for me.
MsFenriss@reddit
Thanks for this. I have a couple of friends who just really can't get ok with driving. Many years ago I rolled my eyes a bit, but then I realized that for some folks it is a genuine phobia and not an entirely unreasonable one. There are all kinds of challenging things adulthood asks of us. Not all of us can manage every one of them. The fact that we don't have solutions or accommodations for this, preferring to tell people to just get a grip and do it or feel free to slink off and die in a ditch, is evidence that our society is broken.
AmerikanerinTX@reddit
Totally agree!
My SIL is 45 and doesn't drive. Her family STILL harasses her about it and uses it as an excuse to treat her like a child. She is married with 2 teen children. She has buried both parents, a brother, and a lifelong bff. She has a college degree and a stable career. She has hit all other markers of adulthood.
When my husband (her brother) was dying, she was my go-to person for that side of the family. She kept in touch with me weekly for 3 years, asking questions, providing support. This enraged their family, who explicitly asked me to not 'hear health updates from the girl who cant even drive.'
I understand that we (Gen X Americans) view driving as a quintessential marker of adulthood, but genuinely why? Aren't emotional maturity and kin-keeping also markers? One person checked in regularly and consistently, and the others, well, only when they needed something.
Imaginary-Yak6784@reddit
Driving is incredibly dangerous, especially for a person who is bad at it and scared of it. Don’t endanger the rest of the community by forcing this person onto the road.
But at the crux of this is not HOW she gets around but that she’s not independent in her life (either living place or transportation) and she’s not helpful to you two who may need increasing amounts of help going forward.
She probably does need therapy to even step into her life. But it’s not about driving. I’d take your foot off the gas on that issue. (Har har.)
ConcreteKeys@reddit
It's not just the driving. It's a whole mindset of knowing that you guys have always been her safety net so she doesn't have to try hard. It goes deep and the not driving is just one symptom.
silliestboots@reddit
This reminds me of my brother's adult child. He's very close in age and has never had any interest in driving. They live in a very rural area with no public transportation of any kind (maybe you could pursuade an Uber driver out there). Also no state ID of any kind. Only job he's ever held was a short term temp job his parents had to drive him to for 2 whole weeks. He quit after that because "his feet hurt". So he just sits in the house playing video games day after day after day after day.
I don't understand.
Sintered_Monkey@reddit
I actually know someone in his 50s who isn't quite as bad, but not too far off. He can drive, works once in a while, but has never in his life been able to support himself. Fortunately for him, I think his family was loaded. But again with the video games. Video games are the only thing that interests him.
der_schone_begleiter@reddit
They will understand when their parents are gone, and they have no life skills. By then they won't be able to make it by themselves. They will be dirt poor. I don't even think you can get SS if you haven't ever worked.
silliestboots@reddit
I really don't know what will happen to him one day when there are no "adults" left to cater to him. I live in a different state (not that I'd be signing up to take him in if I were closer!), he hasn't exactly fostered a good relationship with his one sibling and he, now in his mid 30s has no marketable job skills. My brother is on the older end of the gen-x continuum (born in 66). He's not likely to kick the bucket in the next five years or anything but he, like all of us, is certainly not going to last forever. Anytime I've brought up, "what's Jonathan going to do when you aren't around someday?" It's brushed off and ignored.
panic_bread@reddit
Why would she bother to do something she doesn’t want to do when you’re enabling her? Why the hell is a 37-year old still living with her parents? She’s a leech because you’re allowing her to be a leech. Stop taking her anywhere. Stop buying her food. Stop enabling!
GenX-ModTeam@reddit
Prejudices & Hostility - No speech of any form targeting anyone, including but not limited to:
hyper_cake_2709@reddit
You are making HUGE negative assumptions about a person and situation you know nothing about.
Disabilities and/or mental health struggles are just 2 possible factors involved.
It's easy to pass judgment, but taking the time to try to understand situations takes much more time and energy that you aren't willing to put in to the conversation.
Leading-Summer-4724@reddit
It’s not the part about her not having a driver’s license that gives me pause, but the fact you say she doesn’t even have a state ID — which is what she’d need in order to work or qualify for any assistance. Have you and your wife honestly been doing NOTHING to help her even get a state ID?? You just let her sit there without getting her help such as therapy long before now??
EmmerdoesNOTrepme@reddit
This was the part that stuck out to me, too!!!
There seems like there's something mental-health or physical-disability wise, going on.
And that she needs therapy (and probably to retake Driver's training & Behind the Wheel classes!), to build up her skill set, to be able to drive safely.
It's doable! But the ball was definitely dropped somewhere along the line by OP & his wife.
Leading-Summer-4724@reddit
Exactly. Even if she’s mentally or physically unable to drive, the fact they haven’t worked together with her to get a state ID so she can apply for benefits of her own and get a case worker, means they’ve basically been keeping her in a state of arrested development, so she’s stuck with whatever they give or don’t give her. There’s more to this story, OP didn’t wake up 20 years in and suddenly be confused their 37 year old step-daughter doesn’t “want” to drive.
81FXB@reddit
She’s a snowflake. Get her some new shoes and wish her luck. Don’t enable her not driving by being her chauffeur.
GenX-ModTeam@reddit
Poor Behavior - No antagonism, trolling, rage farming, flame wars, juvenility, or any other overly cantankerous commentary and/or behavior will be tolerated.
whattupmyknitta@reddit
I'm 45 and I have never driven. It's scary lol. It literally terrifies me. I know for a fact I'd be a nervous/shakey driver, so why push someone that doesn't feel comfortable driving, to drive? That's how you get accidents. I also take meds that I know aren't compatible with driving.
I was always happy taking public transit and now I rideshare. I really do not see the big deal at all. I don't want to drive, and I don't have to. As far as I'm concerned, I'm keeping y'all safe.
Leave her alone. If you've been giving her rides, that's on y'all, just stop. If you want her to run your errands, get a door dash acct.
DarlingTreeWitch@reddit
Hmm. My oldest is 30. She doesn’t drive or own a car anymore. One of her bffs from HS refuses to drive. She was in a terrible car accident 3 months after getting her license and her father was seriously injured. From her group of 6 girls: only 2 of them have licenses, my kid included. Also of note, every one of them is on the spectrum.
EmmerdoesNOTrepme@reddit
Yep! Driving is a HARD skill for those of us who are neurodivergent to master & feel safe doing!!!
Because there are SO many muscle-memory things you need to learn to do with your body, as well as things you need to both "pay attention to," AND that you need to "not get distracted by," in order to be a safe driver!
And when you KNOW that your sensory system already struggles with "determining which sensory info is helpful vs unhelpful" & "necessary vs unneecessary"?
The idea of driving is absolutely overwhelming & honestly pretty terrifying--beause you KNOW that you could kill or seriously hurt someone if you screw up even once!
I didn't get my driver's license until i was 21--and that was only because my college friends FORCED me to! (Because it was too hard to get in to bars with my learner's permit, back in the 90's!).
And i didn't really drive much, until i was 23, and i got my own vehicle.
Now--Because i did drive so much, alone, at night, and in allllll sorts of weather conditions in that first small SUV?
I LOVE driving, and being out on the open road is (ironically!) one of the ways i relax!
But when i was younger, before i built all that muscle memory, and had hundreds/thousands of hours of "practice" time behind the wheel with no one else in the vehicle with me?
I was SO scared of hurting someone, because i might get distracted, and i didn't have the muscle memory & spatial-awareness of "where everything is without needing to look"!
Also--i learned almost 20 years ago, that i am NOT a person who can take phone calls while doing anything else. So i realized that i CAN'T take them while driving--even "hands free"!
When i'm driving, my ringer is off, and the phone is either in my pocket, or upside-down in one of the cup-holders, plugged into the charger.
I'll check it after i park.
JMLKO@reddit
Sounds like you and her mother need to figure out what you both need for and from her. She certainly has not been prepared to face life independently, so you hoping she will be able to take care of you is not realistic. How is she going to function when you two aren’t around to wipe her ass?
LRPDROX@reddit
Stop (if you are) making it convenient for her to get around.
in-a-microbus@reddit
You started driving when you were 7!?
JiveTurkeyII@reddit
A lot of us started out on Farms, or had Grand parents that had farms.
saltseasand@reddit
I learned on a manual when I was 8 out on the county road in front of the farm. Doesn’t mean I was driving myself around town by any means until I was legal. But I would guess he mistyped his age and he’s actually 67 rather than 57.
SuburbaniteMermaid@reddit
I suspected this was a bot anyway but yeah....
I mean I guess OP could have grown up on a farm and driven a tractor.
in-a-microbus@reddit
My guess is he meant to write 67 when he wrote 57. Which makes his wife's age make more sense.
A 43 yo man marrying a 38 yo single mom is pretty normal, but a 33 yo man marrying a 38 yo single mom is going to provoke some questions.
Alive-OVERTIIME-247@reddit
Not necessarily, my grandma was 5 years older than my step grandpa and already had a 5 yr son when they married. The guy my sister was in a relationship with before she died was 4 years younger. If she was 48 and he was 28 that would raise eyebrows but 5 years isn't a big deal.
in-a-microbus@reddit
I'm not saying it's impossible.
Just less common than a typo.
old_namewasnt_best@reddit
One of those farms where the roads go uphill. Both ways. In the snow. That kind of farm?
EmmerdoesNOTrepme@reddit
OP, what's the roadblock to getting her into therapy?
If it's affordable, DO that!
And has she ever been diagnosed with ADHD, Autism, OCD, or Anxiety? Asking, because it's fairly common for those of us with those neurodivergences to have fears & anxiety around driving, and to be "late drivers."
For me (i'm a late Gen-Xer, and discovered that i had both Autism & ADHD in my 40's), the anxiety around driving came out of a childhood awareness of the mass of a vehicle, and an understanding from that of just how much force it took to move--and stop a vehicle.
Went to the Minnesota Science Museum, where they had a vehicle back then that was crushed into a block, that kids could push around using a special lift. That crushed car was HEAVY and super hard for a small person like me to move--and that gave me great awareness of tge forces i NEEDED to be paying attention to & in control of, even as a child.
I wasn't aware of my AuDHD back then, obviously. But i KNEW that i didn't "have what it takes" to drive safely.
I didn't feel comfortable at all behind the wheel, when i was 15 and took "Driver's Training" classes with my peers. The cars we drove for those classes WERE nice & small, and they weren't bad to drive!
But there was SO much "to pay attention to" when driving--plus the vehicles i had access to were a 1978 Impala (land yacht with bench seats, and i could barely see over the steering whel!), and a mid 80's station wagon--that also had terrible sight lines.
When i was 21, my college friends made me get my Driver's license, so that i could go out with them. And one had the same type of car we'd had innmy Driver's Training classes--so i was comfortable with the size & sight lines of the car.
That was the only reason i was able to take & pass the test.
I still didn't drive much, until i turned 23--most of my driving was late-night, driving home from the bar where my best friend & i had gone dancing on Fridays & Saturdays.
And that late-night driving in a small car was what got me comfortable behind the wheel.
Because, in hindsight, there were "less distractions"--because the darkness meant i was able to focus on the road & the areas close to it. I trained myself to "bounce" or "sweep" my eyes from one side of the road to the other (watching for deer).
And i learned how to occasionally be checking my driver's side, passenger-side, and rearview mirror, as my eyes kept sweeping the road ahead of the car.
Because there were rarely other cars on the road, and it was dark, there weren't many distractions--which helped a ton! It made me comfortable with the "mechanics" of driving--paying attention to my speed, the way the car was handling, getting familiar with the lights (and turning the brights on & off!), using the windshield washer fluid & wipers when i needed, just "by feel" and not needing to look where they were, etc.
There IS a LOT of "physical stuff" a person needs to be able to do, simultaneously with the skill of "watching the road and anticipating other drivers."
And a good driver also needs to know their limitations, too!
As an AuDHDer--even before i knew i had Autism or ADHD, i had realized that i CAN'T safely answer calls if i'm driving! I just can't safely split my attention like that.
So when i drive, my ringer is OFF, and my phone is face-down and just charging if it isn't in my pocket, out of sight entirely.
And the radio station i typically listen to is NPR (MPR, technically, since i live in Minnesota). Or a softly-playing "country oldies" station or CD, if the weather is bad and i need to focus more (because those songs have a slow tempo & i know the lyrics to most of them--so my brain is "relaxed" as i drive).
OP, if your stepdaughter has ADHD, Anxiety, or another neurodivergence?
Explain it to her as, "Your mom and i NEED you to learn to get comfortable behind the wheel, because your Mom NEEDS you to be able to drive her to medical appointments! Tell her that it's just not feasible as a "one-driver" family, and that you may also need assistance making it to appointments in the future.
It's a safety issue--for EVERYONE in your hpusehold, that needs to be addressed & fixed--and the solution is her being able to drive.
Then?
Get her that therapy, get a dependable older sedan that has a driver's seat that is comfortable for her and fits her size (for example, probably not a modern-day Impala, because they're still made for large, tall men!), make sure it's not too small or too light either--because very tiny cars can be incredibly difficult to control in windy conditions.
And then help her to get OUT DRIVING in that car--on routes she'd need to take, late at night, or very early in the mornings--when there are few cars on the road!
Get her comfortable at night, when there aren't as many distractions! And have her drive the roads she'll need first--so she develops that "muscle memory" for where the stop signs & stoplights are.
Once she has those roads down? Shift to some "Midday drives" on them, and then eventually "rush hour drives" so she's comfortable in ALL the traffic configurations.
And make sure she gets out and drives in rain & snowy conditions (if you live where it snows!), and learns how the vehicle handles in ice, too (go out to some wide-open parking lots close to home).
She'll be fine onve she gets some pratice in! But it takes being aware of soooo many things, to be a safe driver, and that can be anxiety-inducing, for those of us who are neurodivergent, and very aware of allllll the various sensory inputs we face every day.
Also, get her some sunglasses to keep in the car, which have narrow frames & narrow arms, to block excess light! (I prefer "black-tinted" ones, rather than brown, but sone folks like other colors), and make sure she KNOWS that she can pull down the "sun visors" and move them to block excess light, too!
flyfishfem@reddit
That sucks that you can’t rely on her but frankly she is a grown ass woman and doesn’t need to hear it from you. It also seems like you’re weaponizing her bad relationship with her father. That absolutely has nothing to do with this conversation.
happyphanx@reddit
Kind of a leap. Sounds more like he’s expressing sadness at how he can’t seem to earn her love or respect, and takes it personally that she won’t progress into adulthood so they can breathe a little easier.
Cmd3055@reddit
She definitely needs therapy if you expect her to have any chance of changing. The driving issue is just the tippy top icing layer of a shit cake of issues. Yall have been enabling her for years it sounds like, it’s not going to be easy at this point so good luck!
OriolesMagic1972@reddit
Does she work? Is she able to live her life using public transportation? If so, she can take steps toward living independently. Good luck!
Tekira85@reddit
Exactly. All the people saying she has to…. If she can feed and support herself, fine. If she can’t, then that’s the major problem. It sounds like OP needs someone to drive him and his wife, which would nice, but she’s not required.
Ok-meow@reddit
It’s ok not to drive but don’t make it another person an issue. Ride share, buss or feet
stevemm70@reddit
Driver's license aside, how does she function in this world without SOME kind of identification?
ScootyMcTrainhat@reddit
My GenZ manager screamed like a girl (he's not) for 20 minutes the other night because he saw a spider. They're cooked, especially when the current political chickens come home to roost. Maybe they'll toughen up after eating a few squirrels.
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
[removed]
GenX-ModTeam@reddit
No Politics - Political posts or comments of any sort are not permitted. If you wish to have political discussions, you may do so on our other sub r/GenXPolitics.
Breaking this rule may result in bans, either temporary or permanent.
Before you make the claim: No, providing respite from political discussions does not infringe on your rights.
Also, this politics ban was put before the sub over a year ago, and members have spoken.
GenX-ModTeam@reddit
No Politics - Political posts or comments of any sort are not permitted. If you wish to have political discussions, you may do so on our other sub r/GenXPolitics.
Breaking this rule may result in bans, either temporary or permanent.
Before you make the claim: No, providing respite from political discussions does not infringe on your rights.
Also, this politics ban was put before the sub over a year ago, and members have spoken.
annorafoyle@reddit
GenX are sounding more like boomers every day.
theateroffinanciers@reddit
I have a niece who is the very very very same. We've offered to help her get her license and start driving, we've offered to pay for driving instruction, weave off to pay for the therapy she says she needs to get over her fear of it Etc
And here's what I've come to realize.. she doesn't want to drive because it would mean she would have to adult. It would take her into a stage of responsibility and adulthood. She doesn't want to take the next stage of growth in her life, which means the responsibility of being an adult in all ways that it being adult entails.
regeya@reddit
I think a lot of people are missing the "she still lives with us" that goes along with "she's 37" and "neither of us work anymore" and let's not forget a healthy dose of implied "we're old now and won't be around forever".
I'm gonna just say this: insist on her going to a therapist. That's step one. Find out if she has a legitimate problem. If she does, maybe she can get put on disability. And if it turns out she just doesn't want to leave home and your wife is fine with that, well, good luck, OP.
saltseasand@reddit
If she doesn’t even have an ID she’d need a passport to open a bank account… how does this daughter function in the world? When they’re gone she’s going to be in a very difficult spot.
EmperorMeow-Meow@reddit
Necessity facilitates change. If she needs to do something, she will have no choice but to do it. You won't convince her any other way.
Although I should add, if you live in a city with public transportation, then driving is not necessarily a necessity. But if you live in the suburbs or in the rural area, then driving absolutely becomes a necessity.
Initially she may depend on other people, but eventually they will get tired and stop enabling her.
78Anonymous@reddit
does she realise that if she doesn't start thinking about what the not so much life left is going to look like, by the time you guys check out she will probably become homeless unless she has a good wfh gigs that are sustainable.
Really weird.
I was speaking to someone recently. F31, lives at home, no formal education or training, and not sure if they drive. Didn't sound like it. They did a massage course recently and do a podcast. That's their 'skillset', and are setting up in their fathers old office at home.
It's astounding how the GenZ generation has next to no clue about anything and is somehow in a permanent state of uncertainty and indecisiveness.
They seem incapable of making decisions.
Own_Fudge8296@reddit
This all sounds crazy to me because all four of my children got their license as soon as they were of age. Their dad also bought them their first cars. I guess I’m just having a hard time understanding how a 37 year old hasn’t or is still “figuring out their life”. My 33 year old has his own business my 28 year old works in aircraft which is one of the highest paying jobs in my area as does my younger son and his twin is going to nursing school during the week and works at urgent care on the weekends. I just don’t understand!!!!!!!
TessaKatharine@reddit
Some people are just more successful than others, aren't they? That's how the world works, for better or worse. Not every family is full of high-flyers, like yours more or less seems to be. I don't consider myself very successful, despite being a graduate with a postgrad diploma (should have been an MA, but I fucked up the dissertation part). I don't understand American culture well, anyway. You tend to view success in a different/more extreme way than here in Britain. A lot of things are more extreme in the US.
sedona71717@reddit
You’re 57 and have been driving for over 50 years?
Alit_Quar@reddit
You’re genX and this surprises you?
sedona71717@reddit
Even for GenX, driving at 7 is unusual, unless OP was driving around a farm or something!
dudeatwork77@reddit
Yes. I don’t think children under 7 should drive. Regardless of generation
Empty_Nestor@reddit
I’m guessing you didn’t grow up on a farm.
Alit_Quar@reddit
My thoughts exactly. I had my daughter sitting in my lap steering since she was old enough to do it. When she was old enough to drive legally, she was driving my ‘68 Ford with the three on the tree shifter.
Spiritual_Disk7112@reddit
I don’t drive, I’m 48 and a doctor but driving was never a thought or priority, mainly because I have lived in a city 99% of my life. I have a few friends my age and older who also don’t drive. All that being said, she sounds like a freeloader-how do you not have ANY type of ID?
Caribgirl2@reddit
Do people think it's strange that a physician doesn't drive? And how do you get around?
Spiritual_Disk7112@reddit
Why would it ever come up? It has nothing to do with my job. I have ID as well as a passport. I live in a large city, I walk/take the train/bus, etc. as do lots of folks here. Parking is an impossible task where I work as well.
Caribgirl2@reddit
True. City people think differently than people in suburbia who are chained to their car. Would you want get your license one day?
Spiritual_Disk7112@reddit
You’re right! Maybe if I was going to move I would certainly reconsider. With where I live, the expense and aggravation of having a car certainly outweighs the benefits but I also know it would be a real problem if I lived somewhere rural/suburban.
IBroughtWine@reddit
You just have to kick her out and let her figure it out in her own.
Hot-Butterfly-8024@reddit
Is her current plan “no plan”, or to intentionally live with you until you die? Because depending on your plans, she may have to make a different one.
CandiceKS@reddit
My MIL doesn't drive. Got her license and then never drove - too much anxiety and fear. But the comments saying this isn't your problem to solve are true. She is a grown adult and has to manage this situation. You can't convince her to get a license.
scooches66@reddit
My son is 36 and doesn't have a licence. His father didn't have one either. We're in the UK so not driving isn't really an issue. He can drive, I bought him a car for his 18th and paid for lessons. He took 1 theory test and failed and decided that was it. The car got scrapped after it broke down.
I used to be annoyed at him over it, having to drive him about, but he now lives over an hour away from me so either walks or takes the bus/train to get where he needs to go. He's lucky that his mate is a bus driver who gave him a bus pass so he travels for free!
Whilst I understand your frustration over this situation, your daughter is a grown adult and is entitled to live her life the way she chooses. She is not there to be your chauffeur or ambulance service.
No-Heat-436@reddit
In America, it’s very rare that you don’t have a car or license. Most things require an ID of some sort, even employment. I’m shocked his daughter doesn’t have one. But also, there’s a big difference between your situation and this one. Your son eventually moved out and did it on his own. Sounds like the step daughter here doesn’t feel motivated to do better for herself and is just making excuses in order to not have to.
scooches66@reddit
I completely understand the difference between the rest of the world and the US as I've visited your wonderful country before. Everything is set up for cars, you can't walk anywhere! My point was that OP should not be forcing his daughter to get a licence just because he'll need her to drive him when he can no longer do it!
Oh, and as for ID? We have things called passports......!
No-Heat-436@reddit
First off, no need to talk down to people. Nor be condescending.
Second off, your point that OP should not be forcing his 37-year-old daughter to do anything is actually kind of ridiculous. He has every right to put stipulations on the support that he’s spent decades providing for her by allowing her to live in his home for free and not financially contribute, because at this point it’s become a a pattern of people around her enabling her behavior of relying on others and being fully and lazily dependent on them when she is supposed to be an independent adult. That is where his frustration is coming from. Yes she is an adult, but she does not act like one. She is literally depending on her parents as if she is under the age of 10 and she is not and then when asked to step up, she makes excuses and uses mental illness as a crutch. That is a major problem. She needs to learn accountability and responsibility because she’s never learned either of those things.
Last off, most Americans don’t have a passport because it costs almost $300. And most trips out of the country cost thousands. 50% of America makes $35,000 or less per year. A state ID/drivers license costs maybe $15-$30 depending on the state. America is not Europe. Our states don’t need passports to go between them, so most Americans don’t bother, myself included. When you suggested a passport, I actually kind of laughed because that is not a solution that is financially feasible for most Americans.
Your solutions don’t work for every country nor do they work for every parenting situation.
scooches66@reddit
The discussion is about whether the daughter should be forced to get a driving licence. As nearly everyone has pointed out here, someone who lacks the confidence to get behind a wheel should NOT be driving. They are a danger to themselves and others on the road.
As for the daughter being lazy and not contributing, that is a different matter. Her parents have enabled this behaviour and must take some responsibility for it. Yes, it is high time she found her own way in the world and stopped relying on her parents.
Also, if you think I was being condescending, I apologise. That was not my intention. I was merely pointing out that a driving licence is not the only means of providing ID.
Hotsaucejimmy@reddit
It’s not your responsibility to take her places. If she needs to go somewhere tell her to figure it out. The end.
Cautious_Buffalo6563@reddit
“The best therapy to get comfortable driving is a steering wheel.”
thatgirl46and2@reddit
That exposure therapy is real.
Honeybee71@reddit
I love to drive, and don’t understand people who don’t even try. To each his own I guess
likeittight_@reddit
Because it’s extremely dangerous. People on their phones behind the wheel.
Equivalent-Speed-631@reddit
If it’s too dangerous to drive, then isn’t it too dangerous to be a passenger in any driven vehicle?
likeittight_@reddit
I don’t know is it?
sunfish99@reddit
You can step out on the road and get run over by a distracted driver. Are you going to refuse to cross a road ever again?
Revolutionary_Bee700@reddit
The odds of a serious car accident are pretty damn high. As a car culture, we like to minimize that.
likeittight_@reddit
We certainly do.
sunfish99@reddit
Do you ever get a ride from someone else? Get in a cab? Take an Uber/Lyft? Ride a bus?
Fine if you don't want to drive yourself. But if you ever set foot in another vehicle, then recognize that your beef isn't with the dangers of a serious car accident in general - it's just you driving.
likeittight_@reddit
The original poster commented that she doesn’t understand why people don’t like driving. I replied because it’s dangerous, everyone is on their phone while driving now.
What are you having trouble understanding?
likeittight_@reddit
Get the fuck outta my face. Pretty sure I woulda beat the shit out of you in the 90s.
likeittight_@reddit
Yup
TheHoodieConnoisseur@reddit
Oh, hell no. Unless she is physically or legitimately mentally unable to drive, she needs to get a job, her own car, and her own place.
AngelHeart-@reddit
This was an issue which should have been corrected 25 years ago. The driving is a side effect of a much bigger problem.
“A” is an adult. Stop babying her. Stop doing everything for her. “A” needs to get her shit together ASAP which is now.
midamerica@reddit
28 yo niece refused to drive because it was a form of power and control. Flat out diva complex. She had a rude awakening when her grandfather had a heart spell and flat out refused to let her call an ambulance. She couldn't reach anyone to drive to hospital for over an hour. Had her license in a month after that. Still uses everyone else as her personal chauffeur whenever she can, but no longer has all the control over the household.
TessaKatharine@reddit
Wow, Americans can be very harsh, by typical British standards. I suppose the US generally has such a lack of public transport that driving is often far more essential. But perhaps she was just scared of driving? If she doesn't want to do it a lot, as you imply, perhaps still is.
Well I can't drive, getting a UK licence is tough! Did try many years ago, when I was about 18 I think, but gave up. A significant part of the issue was not being able to figure out changing gears (stick shift, automatics are still uncommon here I think). London traffic is pretty horrendous, anyway.
But public transport means you don't really need to drive in the city. It's sad, though. I'll never be able to do a road trip, easily visit rural areas not really served by public transport or not at all, etc. Why on earth would anyone refuse to let an ambulance be called, when they're going to hospital and presumably have insurance anyway?
Suppose it really shows the US needs universal healthcare! Although an NHS ambulance here may take ages to arrive, especially nowadays. I once witnessed the aftermath of someone getting knocked off their motorbike whilst shopping locally, the ambulance probably took about 45 minutes to arrive.
Apprehensive_Gap1055@reddit
I’m close to 60, I have a license but don’t drive. Probably driven 5 times in my lifetime. Driving causes me extreme anxiety so I have been using public transit. Some people just don’t drive and it’s okay
mrsredfast@reddit
It’s definitely okay if there is public transportation that’s accessible and the non-driver is willing to use it. Unfortunately in the US it’s often not that easy.
Apprehensive_Gap1055@reddit
Oh, I know. Now it is a nice walk to the bus which runs only runs on the hour, only to miss the train by 10 seconds causing a 30 minute delay in reaching your destination. The transit in my area was cut severely, now I have to walk over a busy freeway to catch the bus to the train to get the final the bus home. I'm lucky to get a ride to work though
lottadot@reddit
I betcha her having to walk everywhere she wants to go will some great therapy for her.
allmywomps@reddit
This is so funny to me. I'm around your daughter's age and don't have a license. But I own my own home and have an ID. I have transit and lots of amenities within walking distance. My sister close to my age has her license, but still lives with my parents. I have anxiety around driving. Why? My parents screamed at me while they were "teaching" me. My ex clipped another car because he didn't like how slow they were going. He would also gun it when cars ran red lights and it was his turn. People are assholes and I don't trust them.
TripThruTimeandSpace@reddit
One of my sons is 35 and does not drive. His fiancée does, but he doesn’t. I’ve always wanted him to learn but he gets around mostly by walking to our house or to work. His fiancée drives him places he can’t walk to.
misagale@reddit
Sounds like she has some neurological or cognitive issues. Probably best she doesn’t drive if she feels unable to.
HighSeasArchivist@reddit
I can't imagine someone like this does much in the way of striving for a career either. She can get her therapy in when she's walking everywhere.
Planet4@reddit
Oops, we're the boomers now. Reading this thread, it feels inevitable we're just going to repeat the "back in my day/kids these days" cycle.
JediKrys@reddit
I can see why this would be frustrating. But could you make a younger friend who likes to drive? Not that you should burden someone, but you might find someone more willing. At her age I do not see this changing.
My wife is 45 and she’s never driven. She has adhd and does not have the attention span to safely drive. Instead of being stubborn and pushing forward she learned about her limits and plays within them.
CatherineC1979@reddit
I’m 47 and I don’t drive. I live in 🇬🇧and we have plenty of other options for getting about. I was in an accident whist on a driving lesson and it terrified me. I was stopped at a red light and another driver turning into the opposite lane drove straight into the side of me and I’ve not driven since. I do want too but I can’t get past the fear of other people on the road
Killah_Kyla@reddit
Driving is terrifying and not every adult should be made to do it. Unfortunately in many places in the US, as well as the UK, there is a significant downgrade in quality of life if you can't/don't/won't drive. The stepdaughter needs to move to NYC, Boston or any of the other myriad cities in her country that allow for a high quality of life without needing to drive.
worstpartyever@reddit
Your actions are 100% understandable in areas where public transportation is efficient.
If OP lived in the New York City area, the daughter could easily get around without driving.
But if OP is from a rural area or a city that lacks public transportation, then the lack of license is troubling. How does she feed herself? Entertain herself?
Hedonistic_Yinzer@reddit
What motivation does this daughter have to succeed in life? You didn't say specifically, but I gather she also lives with you? As long as you and your wife continue to coddle her and provide for her and make excuses for her, she will have no incentive to leave the nest. This sounds like an extremely unhealthy relationship, codependency abounds on all sides, and you are being manipulated by this adult child.
You and your wife have to decide if you want to spend your golden years taking care of this adult. You are admirable for picking on the father responsibility when her real father skipped out, but if she won't show you the modicum of respect that you deserve, then perhaps you have to rethink the entire relationships.
Dear_Tangerine444@reddit
So, to be clear, you don’t want her to learn to drive to improve her life, you want her to learn to drive to improve your life?
How would you, a typical Gen-Xer, have reacted in your youth if you’d been ordered to do something you weren’t interested in doing for your step-father’s benefit?
Winterdeep@reddit
I mean, to be 100% fair, no typical gen-x was living at home at 37 unless you've gone home to help your elderly parents or you've had some kind of major life setback.
Dboogy2197@reddit
My guy. Why are you so controlling? She doesn’t want to drive. She made her choice. You don’t get to decide for her. It’s shitty of you to put so much pressure on her. If she is at a point that she feels she would need therapy to get behind the wheel, you don’t get to tell her she doesn’t. It doesn’t matter why. And regardless on your perspective she doesn’t owe you to any degree that she should be forced to do something that makes her so uncomfortable.
No-Big-3543@reddit
This is the most ridiculous fucking response in the history of the internet. In what alternate reality is asking a fucking 37 year old leach to step up and help a bit? Controlling? 🤯
Dboogy2197@reddit
That seems like something that should have been addressed between them at some time in the last 20 years. I know you early Gen xers are all about making others do what you want, cause you said so. Dude made assumptions knowing that she didn’t drive and now he is pissed about it. If he wants to kick her out over it, he should. That doesn’t change that he doesn’t get to make the decision for her to do something she is so uncomfortable with. There is very plainly other things going on with her if she gets that much anxiety over the idea of driving. Calling her soft doesn’t change or help a thing. Saying others don’t have a problem doing it is asinine and small minded.
StanleyQPrick@reddit
What assumptions did he make?
Hedonistic_Yinzer@reddit
WTAF? Expecting an adult child to be an adult is not controlling. Expecting a 37-year-old to take control of her life is not controlling. Your comment may have some validity if the daughter in question was 18 or 20. Come on man 37 years old she should have some direction on her own.
infinite_awkward@reddit
I was looking for the /s and seeing none, I can only infer that you are not a true GenX. 😂
OP is under no obligation to support a 37 year old financially, emotionally, or otherwise. Calling them controlling for asking the 37 y/o to participate in helping the household is a dick move on your part.
Dboogy2197@reddit
That seems like something that should have been addressed between them at some time in the last 20 years. I know you early Gen xers are all about making others do what you want, cause you said so. Dude made assumptions knowing that she didn’t drive and now he is pissed about it. If he wants to kick her out over it, he should. That doesn’t change that he doesn’t get to make the decision for her to do something she is so uncomfortable with. There is very plainly other things going on with her if she gets that much anxiety over the idea of driving. Calling her soft doesn’t change or help a thing. Saying others don’t have a problem doing it is asinine and small minded.
BizzarduousTask@reddit
Why should he support a 37 yr old woman who refuses to do something to help ease her parents’ burden?
Dboogy2197@reddit
That seems like something that should have been addressed between them at some time in the last 20 years. I know you early Gen xers are all about making others do what you want, cause you said so. Dude made assumptions knowing that she didn’t drive and now he is pissed about it. If he wants to kick her out over it, he should. That doesn’t change that he doesn’t get to make the decision for her to do something she is so uncomfortable with. There is very plainly other things going on with her if she gets that much anxiety over the idea of driving. Calling her soft doesn’t change or help a thing. Saying others don’t have a problem doing it is asinine and small minded.
QueenScorp@reddit
💯 My sister's husband is 50 and has never had a license. He had a couple very bad car accidents in his youth and has trauma surrounding being behind the wheel that he should probably address but no matter the reason, that's his choice. He walks a lot and uses public transportation when available. And yes he gets rides from other people but he doesn't expect them to cater to him.
OP is the one who needs therapy, thinking he can tell the 37-year-old how to live her life
GardenDivaESQ@reddit
You’ve coddled her for 20 years and now expect her to change? Get over it. You created this monster.
GenX-ModTeam@reddit
Poor Behavior - No antagonism, trolling, rage farming, flame wars, juvenility, or any other overly cantankerous commentary and/or behavior will be tolerated.
OddSand7870@reddit
She is too comfortable to change. You need to increase the “pain” to make her to want to drive.
Live_Ear992@reddit
Tell her to get an electric bike. Much better for her! & the environment! If she doesnt feel comfortable driving - don’t push her.
pruplegti@reddit
Forget the drivers license its not going to happen, the better question you need to answer are why are you and your wife not aligned about your daugter? what is your plan for her when you and your wife are no longer around?
She does not have the ability to long term plan for her and her life. I would recomend you and your wife have a long and hard conversation about your what your daughters life will look like once you both poass on. this is how you set the both fo you in alignment,
binocusecond@reddit
Agree that the underlying situation is the priority … but don’t completely give up on the driving license. My partner paid for lessons with an adult driving instructor at age 36 and that was the way to go — takes any emotional baggage out of the instructional equation. They got their license after about 10–12 lessons (driving the hills and highways of San Francisco, no less!) It wasn’t the cheap way to do it but it was the only way to do it.
Southernms@reddit
This is a thing. Anxiety is very real. Driving is a major stressor and causes brutal panic attacks. Is she seeing a good therapist? One who specializes in bad panic attacks? I hope so.
I’m explaining it here. Do not under any circumstances whatsoever push this girl behind the wheel of a car and make her drive. This will traumatize her to no end and possibly cause a terrible wreck and really hurt someone or herself. Why is her driving so important to you? It should not bother you this much. It should not bother you at all.
Perhaps she’s just in her own head about all of this and hasn’t come around to you like you think she should have. Maybe just lighten up with her. Don’t press anything as far as a better relationship between you two. Just let it go and let things flow naturally.
Again, what she is saying is real. You must take it as her word and respect what she is telling you. Please help her to find a therapist if she doesn’t have one. One that specializes in anxiety while driving, flying, stressful things like that.
Honeybee3674@reddit
She's not a "girl", she's a grown woman. And it's important to him because he's worried that the two older people in the house may be incapacitated in an emergency, and the able bodied person can't drive. He's also probably worried about what's going to happen to her when they die at some point. How will she take care of herself?
She should have been pushed to work through her anxiety with a therapist at a much younger age, but it sounds like OP wasn't in charge. Many adults have anxiety and still have to figure out how to make a living and get around independently, whether they can drive or not.
Southernms@reddit
I’m from the south and I call everybody girl! Don’t talk down to me. It’s a term of endearment. Get over it. I don’t care if she’s 70 or 100 she’s still ‘girl’.
Well, he’s more than welcome to get an Uber for the two elderly incapacitated people if they have an emergency or better yet call 911. What is this girl moves out? Leaves the state? Then who are they going to trap as in house chauffeur?
He need not worry about her. She’ll be fine. She will do it her way on her terms. He sounds pushy and controlling probably one of the reasons why she doesn’t want to explore a deeper relationship with this man.
Before I go any further with this, I need to say he’s not acknowledging her medical situation and diagnosis. He’s glossing over that like it’s no big deal. He’s causing more stress with his attitude. Dismissing her is not going to help her.
Push to work through her anxiety? Since when does pushed therapy ever work? There are 10 years in her life that he’s not accounted for and we don’t know where she was. Or if she was working, so she drove before,but I don’t know if she was in a wreck or some kind of trauma happened to her. There could be so many things going on here.
I am just infuriated by your lack of compassion for this girl. I hope you don’t have any kids and I hope nobody is counting on you to be their shoulder to cry on. Because you’re mean! You are a mean girl!
You don’t know what you’re talking about and I’m not going to stand here and watch you preach nonsense.
Hi everyone! 👋🏻 Please let me explain what a panic attack looks like when you’re driving a car.
Having panic attacks so badly where you cannot drive a car are the worst imo. Just sitting in the car’s drivers seat makes you so anxious much less driving it. You may feel floaty and not settled in your head. Not quite dizzy and not quite nauseous. It’s kind of a dreamy feeling. Then you have your flight or flight adrenaline coursing through your veins. You find yourself holding your breath. Then really short breaths. That’s not good because you can hypervalent. With all of this going on in your mind and your physical it could be dangerous for everyone on the road because the panicked driver is not at 100% defensive driving they are only trying to keep their wits about them enough so they don’t run off the road.
It is gonna be ok. Find a good doctor who can offer therapy and medication. There’s some good YouTube videos that can help with your breathing. The number one thing to make the attack less stressful is get plenty of good rest and sleep. Tons of sleep. I can’t stress that enough.
None of this can be forced like Honeybee says. There is a slow process.
New-Geezer@reddit
r/fuckcars
QueenScorp@reddit
👍👍👍👍👍👍
caryn1477@reddit
Oh hell no. I have no patience for things like this.
IllAbbreviations4097@reddit
I can understand how this status quo has you worried.
IllAbbreviations4097@reddit
Is public transportation an option for your family where you live? Paint the scenerio where she has appt. And you can't take her ... what is her plan to get there. Call an Uber? Can she afford that? If this exercise makes her uncomfortable...wait for real life emergency. She needs to grow up a bit, perhaps. Fear must be faced. Fate will decide what we won't decide in the end. I'm sorry that you are going through this. I grew up rural, but am in a urban environment now ..with choice. We all live in different states with different resources available.
Team503@reddit
This has nothing to do with driving or a license. This is a "why does your THIRTY SEVEN YEAR OLD step-daughter still live at home with her parents and not have her life figured out??" issue.
You've been enabling her for 20+ years. If you want her behavior to change, you need to stop enabling her. That means giving her a deadline to move out. Surely after 20+ years of living with you she has substantial savings and a good career, yes?
Cowboywizzard@reddit
You know she doesnt
Team503@reddit
Yeah, that's true.
Regular_or_BQ@reddit
She sounds like a bum. Unless she's paying rent she needs to grow the hell up since she's almost middle aged. Good lord that's some serious failure to thrive.
Fuzzteam7@reddit
I got my license as soon as I turned 16. My millennial kids didn’t care about getting their licenses until age 18. For the life of me I can’t understand why teenagers (and adults in OPs case) don’t want the freedom of having a drivers license.
New-Geezer@reddit
The cost of the vehicle $$$$$$$$$, insurance $$$$$$, registration $$, gas $$$$$$$, maintenance $$$$$$, parking $$$. We are slaves to the auto industry.
r/fuckcars
Fuzzteam7@reddit
Teenagers usually use mom and dad’s vehicles so only gasoline.
Training-Purple-5220@reddit
Teens of today have been incredibly locked down compared to their GenX counterparts. For a while there it was complete. It’s like the bird who won’t fly even when the cage is open.
Fuzzteam7@reddit
Indeed. My oldest, 40 years old still lives with his dad 😑
Sawyer2025@reddit
I grew up driving in the rural areas, so I didn't need to worry about "traffic", I just needed to learn to control the car from going in the ditch, learn how to control braking and acceleration. We learned on wide back roads, empty parking lots, etc. Then we went on to a small town with traffic. I don't know where you live, but if she got a permit she could at least legally drive the car and maybe you could take her somewhere less intimidating if you live in a busy city. Explain to her there may be a time when there is an emergency and her driving may save her life, or one of your lives. (joking here) If all else fails, tell her you are both considering moving into a over 55 community and she will need a license ..... "to live in a van down by the river!" Seriously, is she scared, or just doesn't see a need with uber, lyft, friends, public transportation, etc? When I was young your drivers license was a right of passage. It was your first accomplishment that meant you were more mature, trustworthy, and you had a lot more freedom to go see your friends, go to a movie, etc. Even my 18 year old grandson drives and is heading off to college. He wants me to teach him to drive my motorcycle.
Thick-Kiwi4914@reddit
Agree with the failure to launch, you’re just seeing driving as a symptom not the cause. I am a non-driver. I had some lessons, it’s just not for me. I do have a job, travelled around the world, and most importantly, do not depend on others to drive me around. At this point, approaching 50, the driving shop has sailed for me. The daughter sounds like she has a cushy situation and needs a nudge. Perhaps talking about downsizing your life to make things easier for you and your wife may be the right way to go (assuming she’ll see the writing on the wall).
squee_bastard@reddit
This issue is way bigger than a drivers license, this is a full-on failure to launch scenario. Personally I would have left a long time ago because I can’t imagine working to support a grown adult. What would happen if your wife suddenly died, would you want to take on the responsibility of housing this fully grown adult forever? Life is too damn short to be burdened like this.
Ustob@reddit
Dude!! My 18 year old still doesn’t have her license. And didn’t want it at 16 and refuses to learn. Sure wife is a softy and i think I’ve called her retard more then her own name over the years. Yeah that generation are so cooked. All her friends are similar. Only one of the 6 girls in friend group drives. We still drive her and she rides bus home as a senior. I told wife we are the retards who made her a retard. And wife’s retard ways made me one too. In my defense I avoided it/her when the signs started showing around middle school. We are only. Ow getting close to her 1st job. But she only wants to work for me/us.
Problem is she doesn’t work. It just sits down and stays on her phone. And again I just don’t care errr I care but I just don’t see a fix unless mom MANS-UP and she won’t. We had her late when I was 32 and wife was 29.
Woulda been better had we had her 10 years earlier then we did. We married in 99. SHOULDA WIULDA COULDA.
scholly73@reddit
What the actual fuck. I really hope this is made up. Christ.
rm78noir@reddit
I had an aunt that managed to never have a driver's license. She never drove, didn't want to. She used public transit and had a full life.
To me, the larger problem is that she's still living with you. She doesn't have to drive, but she doesn't need to live with you either.
I feel like emptying the nest would be the greater concern.
Jordangander@reddit
If you and your wife are both done working maybe it is a good time to plan a nice long vacation together. Let the adult daughter stay home and take care of the house for a month or 2 while you two enjoy yourselves.
Sometimes forcing the issue without forcing the issue is the best way to do things.
WillBrink@reddit
Driving is the least of the issues. Still at home at 37? Hell no.
Exulansis22@reddit
No ID? How does she have a job? Maybe she doesn’t. Are you subsidizing her lifestyle? She probably doesn’t do chores or tasks at home either, right?
Since it looks like you’re enabling her free ride on your backs, you have all the power. You and the wife need to get on the same page regarding her contribution to the family. Make a plan, or boundaries, the two of you then tell what is expected of her if she wants to keep living there. Possibilities are below but not limited to:
Get her ID Get at least a PT job Get her drivers license Get her own car with her job money Pay Rent Clean Trash Dishes DRIVING YOU BOTH TO PLACES Yard work
Ya know? Or she can move out. 🤷🏻♀️ I’m thinking she needs a firm kick in the ass for you to get her to launch. Her living off of you isn’t good for her or you guys.
MeLlamoMariaLuisa@reddit
I mean, she’s almost 40 if she’s getting around with mass transit OK then why pressure her to drive if she’s not comfortable? Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.
eventhorizon3140@reddit
Yeah. If you live in NYC or other big city with a good public transit system, not having a license is understandable.
Willing-Ad4169@reddit
Quit taking her places.....
you do not need to require her to get a license. That's on her if that's the route she chooses. If you have offered to help her in getting a license follow through on that but this is only your responsibility if you accept that.
But do tell her you are no longer going to be her taxi service and she needs to figure this out.
More opportunities now with buses. uber, etc than ever before.
Quit enabling this behavior. Let her find her own solution.
ItsRedditThyme@reddit
My youngest, coming up on 16, was adamant that they didn't want to drive, until yesterday. My eldest, coming up on 19, has been trying for two years, but her ADHD is complicating the matter. I'm expecting accidents in her future, but I'm hoping they both get enough experience to be comfortable by 37.
My wife is your stepdaughter's gen. She taught me how to drive a stick. That said, we all have our struggles. I wish your wife had insisted her daughter do what was necessary before it became an issue.
Kitsune9_Robyn@reddit
Depends? My daughter was in a bad accident and hasn't had a car since. She has anxiety issues if she gets behind the wheel. That takes as long as it takes.
Though not quite the same, because she has a license and CAN drive. Make sure she gets the help she needs.
youareasnort@reddit
Is she disabled in any way? If she is still living at home (which I am not judging due to many reasons that may be), could you have a conversation with you wife to see if you can make her understand that all that live under the same roof should contribute in some way? Unless there is a disability that requires your daughter to be taken care of, maybe your wife can assist with stressing the importance of your daughter being able to drive in the case of emergency?
At the very least, does Uber or Lyft operate in your area? If she refuses to get the license, then perhaps she could pay for her own transportation when she needs it. That cost may become the impetus for her magically being able to get behind the wheel.
NoRestForTheWitty@reddit
I’ve read some interesting studies about how the vibrations of driving really triggering anxiety, and some people. Driving makes some people extremely anxious. The only way to get over it is to do it, but it should be gently in the person should have autonomy in when and how they do it.
Livid-Monitor-9007@reddit
I do ride share. And the passengers I get that vary in age say the same thing. Majority have attempted to drive, it’s the other overly aggressive drivers that make them freak out.
PDXisadumpsterfire@reddit
I continue to be shocked by the regular stream of posts here that share a common theme - Gen X parents of grown-ass adult children refusing to act like grownups. And all the commenters with all the what ifs and what abouts.
Those of us who got our driver’s licenses the very instant we could (which was literally everyone I knew as a teenager in the late 80s) did so because we wanted freedom and independence. We wanted to get jobs to earn money because our parents wouldn’t pay for stuff we wanted but didn’t need. We wanted to be able to go on dates and have a place to make out with those dates, and there was no way any hot date was going to be even remotely possible at home with Mom and Pop. We wanted to go out on the road and explore with our buddies, do stuff Mom and Pop would never allow. It was uncomfortable and limiting to be stuck at home with a bunch of rules and a curfew, and that was healthy and powerful motivation to start planning our exit from the family home.
Sintered_Monkey@reddit
Very true. It wasn't the act of driving we wanted so much. It was the independence it provided. I actually know a GenX guy (56 now I think,) who grew up just like OP's daughter, only he does drive. But he was completely enabled his entire life by family. As a result, he couldn't do anything for himself, which was really sad to watch over the years.
DrumsKing@reddit
The first snowfall of the year happened on my 16th bday. I took my test anyway! In an old rear-wheel drive clunker.
It was less traffic back then too. I'm a damn nervous wreck driving today in the city. "You idiots don't belong on the road!! No wonder your car is wrecked 8 times."
Gloomy_Shallot7521@reddit
Gen X here and I didn't get a driver's license until I was in my 30s. I had my learners permit or state ID since I was 16 though. Just didn't want to, had some anxiety about it, and learned when I was given a vehicle and had a reason to drive (job I needed to get to myself in a rural area). Driving is expensive- gas, insurance, repairs, regular maintenance. I don't fault anyone for wanting to avoid that if they can get around using other methods, as long as that is not inconveniencing everyone else around them. No one owes you their time to drive you places, so if you are thinking she should do this in order to take you or her mother to appointments, that is just as unfair as her asking you for rides to a job.
Academic_Airport_889@reddit
It would depend if she is contributing to the household in other ways. A 37 yr old living at home better be employed and paying rent if they don’t want to help in other ways
honeybadgerdad@reddit
KICK. HER. OUT.
seagullsondeck@reddit
My sis in law 70 years old. Never got her lic. Her dumb as husband is her life long chauffeur. What a sap
miniversal@reddit
Take her on a trip where she has to fly. Gotta have an ID to fly, right?
Once she has it there's little reason for her not to drive sometimes.
Far-Watercress6658@reddit
Listen dude, it’s not your responsibility to drive her anywhere. It’s not her responsibility to drive you anywhere.
This is the decision she has made. Accept it.
yurtfarmer@reddit
One less driver cat be the worse thing. Some people shouldn’t drive
Laszlo_Panaflex_80@reddit
You have been driving for over 50 years and you are 57? How in the heck did you reach the peddles at six?
I smell AI bull.
Poneke365@reddit
My sister was steering the car from when she was around 9 years old as she couldn’t reach the pedals so it may be true?
Laszlo_Panaflex_80@reddit
A nine year old is taller than a six year old most of the time.
Equivalent-Speed-631@reddit
You use a stack of old phone books to sit on. I knew kids as young as 6/7 driving farm trucks.
Truckerlightning@reddit
I grew up on a chicken farm and learned to drive at 10. We had a stepside, can't remember if it was Ford or chevy but it was a farm truck. We had 4 chicken houses, 250 acres. Cows, pigs, and 6 ponds. I also learned to drive a tractor with manure spreader at 9 so I guess it all depends on when you grew up.
Laszlo_Panaflex_80@reddit
A 10 year old is more able to drive than a six year old.
Equivalent-Speed-631@reddit
I grew up in a rural area on a farm. We all learned to drive at a young age; tractors, riding lawnmowers, farm trucks. The kids from the Mennonite family down the road from where I grew up were driving at 6/7 years old.
Bigrick1550@reddit
Definitely AI slop.
FrankParkerNSA@reddit
You do realize country kids drive a lot earlier than city kids right? I was driving a single axle grain truck at age 8 on my grandpa's farm in the early 80's. Rarely more than a section line and field (not roads) but did field pickups from the combine (no grain cart). Would switch out with uncles that took it back to the yard to store. Shit's gotta get done and it's all hands on deck at harvest.
Laszlo_Panaflex_80@reddit
I am well aware. However, again, an eight year old is taller and more cognizant than a six year old.
nailzfan@reddit
Cut off all of the transport and other supports she has been given. Time to leave the nest.
HousesRoadsAvenues@reddit
I have to agree with you.
still-at-the-beach@reddit
My old 90 year old Auntie and Uncle have never had a licence. Never wanted a car. They just use a taxi.
Independent-Owl-8659@reddit
You enabled it this long. Hard to expect anything different from her now. 🤷🏻♂️
DontHugMe73@reddit
My son didn’t want to drive, but he understood that we needed him to because our own schedules didn’t allow for is to chauffeur him around. This is a more complicated issue that has more to do with her consideration of you. If she valued you or her mother she wouldn’t be depending on you in this way. You all need counseling as a family and you need to become willing to set boundaries for yourself.
-Granby-@reddit
I know a lot of Gen z is like this. My daughter is about to turn 14 and has no interest in driving. This is something I am going to have to force her to learn to do though. She must get a license and must learn to drive. It is not about anxiety with her. It is about just taking an Uber. I'm afraid that is not good enough.
Her mother and I may not always be around to give her rides and who knows with the Uber situation. I would rather she know how to drive.
MotheringGoose@reddit
I have a 19yo. I made them get a driver's license as well. I said this is an adult skill you have to have. You can set up your life where you never drive, but you still have to have this skill. Many of their friends don't drive.
They have since thanked me for making them do it. They agree it is a skill they need to have.
Away-Specific5361@reddit
OP is 57 and has been driving for over 50 years so that means he was driving before he was 7 years old. I guess if the step daughter was 8 when OP came into her life, OP probably figured that she should have been driving already. Maybe OP said something to that effect and 8 year old stepdaughter, realizing she would never measure up, stopped trying.
Objective_Quiet3065@reddit
I’m 59, grew up on a farm and have been driving since I was 7 or 8. Got my permit at 15 and a half.
Squidalopod@reddit
Probably a typo. Either 67-yo or 40 years driving.
x650r@reddit
The driving thing is only half as interesting as the part about your relationship with the stepdaughter. People think that bonding with stepchildren is supposed to be automatic. The parent chose the relationship, the kids have nothing to do with it. There is something about being related biologically that can never be replicated. If you’re lucky the step kids like you, more often they just tolerate you. You are a symbol of their parent’s failure. Are there exceptions? Probably. But what I say holds true in the majority of cases.
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
[removed]
GenX-ModTeam@reddit
Prejudices & Hostility - No speech of any form targeting anyone, including but not limited to:
Bratbabylestrange@reddit
So, she doesn't even have an ID? Does she work? Has she ever? Has she ever moved out, or lived in a dorm or anything? Is she special needs in some way?
And a really big question--what does your wife have to say about all this?
elevatedmint@reddit
If you are transporting her everywhere then stop. She'll soon get fed up of taking the bus and sort her shit out.
Bratbabylestrange@reddit
Logical consequences
annorafoyle@reddit
A 57 year old that has been driving for over 50 years? If you are going to make up stuff, at least make it believable.
krisann67@reddit
This isn't that surprising. My children were driving skid loaders around the farm at that age.
SnooChocolates2923@reddit
I was driving the tractor as soon as I could make the pedals work. (9ish)
Dad would put it in gear (2nd or 3rd), set the throttle, and I would stand on the clutch until he said Go! And.... Burrrrp... We'd all be going down the field towards 'That Tree' while everyone bailed and stacked hay.
To stop, I turned the key off.
Our equivalent of OSHA was nowhere to be seen.
By 12 I was actually using the brake and clutch like a grown up.
annorafoyle@reddit
Sure
CelebrationFull9424@reddit
Maybe he is from a rural part of the US. Many kids were taught to drive early 🤷🏼♀️
Bratbabylestrange@reddit
My husband grew up in a small rural town. He likes to tell the story of his class taking some field trip that ran late, so his parents left their truck in the school parking lot with the keys under the floormat, and he drove himself home. He was 12.
Ray_The_Engineer@reddit
A lot of drama. Makes me glad for our independent kids that have flown the nest.
Bratbabylestrange@reddit
Me too! I love when they visit, but OP 's stepdaughter wore out her welcome at least ten years ago.
Fragrant_Ad152@reddit
Americans obsessed with driving everywhere. No wonder this planet is screwed.
capthazelwoodsflask@reddit
Oh look, arrogant Eurotrash that's adding nothing of importance to the conversation except irrelevant criticism. How absolutely played out.
annorafoyle@reddit
I was going to say something mean about the US, but decided having to live in that 💩 hole is punishment enough.
GenX-ModTeam@reddit
Poor Behavior - No antagonism, trolling, rage farming, flame wars, juvenility, or any other overly cantankerous commentary and/or behavior will be tolerated.
MtPollux@reddit
So edgy. So superior. Go pat yourself on the back and smoke an unfiltered cigarette, you've really shown everyone how much bettter you are.
GenX-ModTeam@reddit
Poor Behavior - No antagonism, trolling, rage farming, flame wars, juvenility, or any other overly cantankerous commentary and/or behavior will be tolerated.
GenX-ModTeam@reddit
Prejudices & Hostility - No speech of any form targeting anyone, including but not limited to:
Boxer_the_horse@reddit
You know anything about the US? Europes 50 odd countries combined land area is barely larger than the US.
annorafoyle@reddit
It's actually substantially larger than the US and we can get from one end to the other using public transport.
But at least you acknowledge that Europe is made up of different countries, instead of thinking that it's one country, like most uneducated USians.
annorafoyle@reddit
And when they get out of their car they climb onto their mobility scooters to get around.
mynewusername10@reddit
You do realize how spread out the country is and that much of it does not have any form of public transportation?
SunshineAlways@reddit
Most places here have few, if any, other transportation choices.
HighJeanette@reddit
I’m not sure what her not accepting you has to do with her not driving.
emp-sup-bry@reddit
Did you ask why?
This comes off as ‘and everyone clapped’, tbh.
If you are serious, I suspect you know, given your 30 year relationship at this point, but it would probably be helpful to simply ask why then use your knowledge gained in 39 years to see an approach that will work for all…or just you.
Weird Facebook vibes
silvermanedwino@reddit
Thank you. Definitely weird vibe.
Sintered_Monkey@reddit
Not driving and not being independent at the age of 37 are two different things. My sister is 60 and doesn't drive. Well, she can drive and has a license and a car, but she hates it so much that she'll go to great lengths to avoid it. She has always lived in cities with public transportation or has been able to work remotely.
But being dependent on parents and still "figuring out your life" at 37 is a completely different matter.
Channel_Huge@reddit
I’m assuming she does work or have a boyfriend? She needs to GTFO and learn to live her life. Your wife should have kicked her in the butt years ago… she’s gotten comfortable living off you two. Screw that. I was out of my parent’s home at 17 when I graduated high school. Never looked back!
RockSteady65@reddit
Moving out at 17 is far from the norm these days. I also moved out at 17 after graduation because I wanted my freedom. A lot of young people still live with their parents nowadays. Maybe we are better at parenting, or maybe much worse. Rent for a cheap apartment is not $275 like it was in 1983. It’s insane how expensive it is for everything now. I have a decent job and salary and I struggle, especially with gas prices spiraling upwards.
Channel_Huge@reddit
I had 2 roommates and we shared expenses. I also had 3 jobs. It wasn’t any easier. We just made a lot less than people do today, that’s why some things were cheaper.
muchDOGEbigwow@reddit
My son lives in PBG so I visit him often, and I will say Florida driving can be therapy inducing.
Haveyounodecorum@reddit
I would tell her that you have a back issue and have to cut back on your hours behind wheel. She now has two trips a week that you can support her with. Then do nothing else. She will either get the bus, a taxi or some lessons
watch-nerd@reddit
" I’m 57"
"I’ve been driving for over 50 years."
You started driving at under 7 years old??
TulsaOUfan@reddit
I started driving at 10 or 11. It's very common in rural America. Or was.
overide@reddit
I learned to drive around 7 or 8.
StereotypicallBarbie@reddit
I do think a lot of us Gen X are a bit..
“for gods sake just do it and get on with it! Everyone else can do it!”
I’m probably a bit guilty of this with my own daughter.
But driving anxiety can actually be very real.. frankly i would rather the people that don’t want to drive because of anxiety.. didn’t until they felt capable and safe.
My son passed his test as soon as he could at 17..
My daughter is 21 this year and won’t even take her lessons.. I’ll be driving that girl around until I’m in my 80’s 🙄
nl2yoo@reddit
Lol, "just do it" peer pressure is a thing of the past, regrettably(?).
Amazing how much lack of desire for driving skills I'm seeing in younger generations.
OP though is dealing with a not so young anymore step kid in a state where you need a car to get around. More understandable if you live in a place with good public transit.
Christina_Beena@reddit
When you say you've been supporting her, do you mean she doesn't work or is underemployed or does she just live with you and not drive? Those are two very different things. I got my license at 16 and used to love driving, but something has changed in the last few years and I freak the fuck out about taking a car anywhere. Also can't drive at night but that's just age. Fortunately I live in a major American city and don't need to drive. I do miss renting a cool car to road trip with, I just don't need that level of anxiety. I know plenty of people who lead perfectly normal lives with no desire at all to drive, and not because they have a psychological issue, so is not driving the problem or is she unable to support herself?
TulsaOUfan@reddit
Stop giving her rides. Let her figure it out.
FairRemove7697@reddit
You are 57 and been driving over 50 years? You got me beat..I'm 57 and have been driving since I turned 15.
annorafoyle@reddit
It's fake.
DeadpoolIsMyPatronus@reddit
This caught my attention too. You've been driving since you were 6?? Lol
EmployerUpstairs8044@reddit
When you're from the country, it's totally possible and happening currently in some places 🤣
BortWard@reddit
Same. Then again, you never know. I just saw a YouTube video yesterday of a court hearing for a kid who had already racked up $3500 in fines for getting caught driving without a license, speeding, etc. He was 15 at the time of the hearing and admitted during the that he had started driving himself to to school when he was 12
DeadpoolIsMyPatronus@reddit
Wow! Where are his parents for crying out loud.
BortWard@reddit
One was present for the hearing and apparently worked really far away. They did arrive at a plan for the kid’s 19-year-old sister, who is licensed, to drive him to school
Angelunatic74@reddit
I'm almost 52 years old and have never had a car or learned to drive. I raised 2 kids to adulthood.
EmployerUpstairs8044@reddit
May I please ask why you don't drive, though? 🙏
annorafoyle@reddit
15 different bus routes pass by my house (5-10 minute walk to each route). There's a tram 15 minutes away and the nearest train station is 15 minutes by bus (I mostly walk since 35 minutes walking isn't a big deal to me). One of the bus routes takes me to an international airport, another takes me to nearest ferry port.
I can drive, but I don't need to. Obviously, I don't live in the US.
chefybpoodling@reddit
Many places in the world have substantial public transportation systems and you just don’t need to learn to drive to navigate much of the world.
DarkScorpion48@reddit
Same here. Every single job I had said “We don’t have parking spaces. Don’t come by car. Here is your public transport card”.
EmployerUpstairs8044@reddit
Very true. 🌹
hippiestitcher@reddit
Same - 57, raised 4 kids, have never had a license. Thankful I have a supportive spouse who understands and has never had a problem with it.
Angelunatic74@reddit
My husband doesn't drive either. We live central to everything and take a bus for longer errands.
CrankyCrabbyCrunchy@reddit
Why is a 37 year old living at home? No job? Not contributing to the household? If I was near retirement and had a child like that who apparently has no interest in taking care of themselves I’d be very worried.
annorafoyle@reddit
You don't know their situation. My father tried to move a woman into my home after my mother died. A home I owned. Obviously, I told him where he could go, but some people are easier to walk over.
Elmy50@reddit
If she is healthy and capable (you did not mention special needs) she needs to grow up and get out of the house and take care of herself. If this includes therapy to start driving, she is responsible for arranging this. Time to stop coddling her.
RoyalPuzzleheaded259@reddit
I have a coworker whose adult daughter refuses to drive. My coworker will work a 10 hour shift in a factory. Go home, Drive her daughter to work. My coworker gets home goes to bed wakes up at Ike 1-2am and goes and picks her up from work. Our shift then starts at 6am. She’s been doing this routine over a year and a half now. I have no idea why she doesn’t tell her kid to get a license or an Uber. I know I will not be my adult kids chauffeur. He can learn to drive or get an Uber.
leylaley76@reddit
My brother is 39 and he doesn’t have a license he just uses public transport same as my adult kids. I’ve been driving 30 plus years
moopet@reddit
Either this is a misrepresentation of what she said or there's something else going on. I say this because reddit posts like this can be very one-sided and we don't know what the real deal is. They can turn into ragebait really quickly.
You're in the US, so I get that a lot of places need cars to get around, but it's not fair to pin your hopes for a taxi service on someone else - whether she's your relative or not, and whether you've been loving, kind and supportive or not. You're all adults, and none of you owes the others anything.
You could stop helping her out, driving her around, etc. That might have the effect you want, but it also might alienate her more. I don't think anyone online can predict which, unfortunately.
At the end of the day, do what you want to do, but I've always found the expectation that the younger generation supports the older to be kind of weird. I don't have kids of my own, but if I did, it wouldn't be as some sort of insurance policy.
If you're expecting to need someone to drive you places from time to time, maybe cut your losses on transporting your DIL and save the money for taxis, or if you have the means, move to somewhere with public transport.
Automatic_Gas9019@reddit
Sounds like wifey used her daughter as a crutch. Disabled her, now tossed the daughter for a husband
mynewusername10@reddit
I have a driving/riding phobia and have had it since I was 16. Medication helped me finally get my license in my 30's, but I've never been comfortable with it and dont think I ever will be. I used to have to drive for work a lot and would have stopping points (stores, big parking lots) every 30 miles there and back where Id pull over to calm down, cry, and talk myself into continuing. I don't miss that.
Has she seen a doctor or Psychiatrist for it? I get that not everyone understands it but it's a legit thing. If you do push her into it and she hasnt had any help for her anxiety, her on the road could be dangerous not just for herself but the other drivers too. All it takes is one good anxiety attack where she can't breath and/or see straight.
Also, the tricky thing about anxiety attacks is that it's not uncommon for anxiety to stick to a situation or place after you have one, even if it wasn't the cause. For example, someone could have an anxiety attack in the middle of the grocery store while shopping, and then everytime they go to that store it triggers one. You want to try to avoid that when she's learning. Have her see a doctor if she hasn't already.
YallRedditForThis@reddit
You let this shit slide for almost 20 years of her adult life?
Ihaveaboot@reddit
Step child if I read OP correctly.
But seems like a good case for whole family therapy. Right the ship.
Shoddy-Reply-7217@reddit
I think both you and her need therapy.
She's struggling to launch.
And you're still taking on the emotional and practical burden of step parenting when she's a grown ass adult and perfectly capable of running her own life.
StarboardSeat@reddit
I wonder how if mom has enabled this behavior, possibly out of guilt for her birth father never wanting to be in her life?
He called her "naive", but I think a better term may be enabler?
JJQuantum@reddit
You need to stop carting her anywhere. If she needs to get somewhere then she can figure out how to get there. She also needs to move the fuck out. Also, wanting her to learn to drive so she can carry you and your wife around is not the way to go. You need to find other ways instead of imposing on her to do that.
Chipped_Ruby_11214@reddit
She doesn’t have to learn to drive, but she does need to learn how to adult. You may need to work on the differences between these seemingly related issues in your family. Also, you are under no obligation to driver her anywhere. It is probably worth communicating this in a clear, but respectful and heartfelt manner.
With buses, uber, walking, cycling, etc., most people can get by. She may want to move to an area where public transport makes driving unnecessary. Plus, the economics of having a car aren’t all that good, so what you spend on a car goes a long way toward other transport options.
SunshineAlways@reddit
I think he’s possibly thinking that it would help contribute to the family if she did some of the driving for them later on, if both of them have health problems maybe?
Chipped_Ruby_11214@reddit
Could be, but hoping to be dependent on someone who struggles with the very task you are hoping to depend on rarely works out well.
papiliotempestae@reddit
The thought of driving caused me anxiety for many many years, and I only really learned to drive at 50, got my license at 51.
While I understand your frustration, driving can be scary for some folks, and pressure from others can make that worse. Maybe therapy is not a bad idea.
blackcain@reddit
I could see driving to be very anxiety ridden. My wife has a brain injury and right now being in a car could be a white knuckled trip.
Hatdude1973@reddit
“Therapy” is such a scam. Too many of these “therapist” just reinforce the patients problems rather than try to heal them. She needs to be told she is a bum. Part of being a human is being able to take care of oneself.
blackcain@reddit
Therapy works - a professional that you can "be in vegas" so to speak. It's like a lost camel - therapy can help guide you out of whatever it is.
silverelan@reddit
I used to think the same as you. Then I got the chance to interact with a therapist to help a family member and it totally changed my mind. A good therapist helps a person figure out ways to recognize and overcome mental barriers/challenges.
hippiestitcher@reddit
There are other major issues/missing reasons going on here besides just not driving. Therapy and a full medical workup for her sounds like a good idea.
Prestigious_Fox213@reddit
There is a lot more going on here than just a driver’s license. If your stepdaughter has said that she needs to go to therapy before she can feel comfortable driving, then maybe that should be the place to start - not to get her behind the wheel, but because she needs some help.
You and your wife are going to have to plan around your concerns as if your stepdaughter weren’t available to drive you, because she might never be. If that means moving somewhere where you are less dependent on a car then so be it.
thepaymentbear@reddit
She struggles with things and you get mad and want to punish her. The problem is that you have been conditioned to think that other people's struggles are weaknesses that should be punished.
NotLucasDavenport@reddit
How do you get punishment from any of this? It may not be reasonable to insist that she drive. It’s really reasonable to ask a 37 year old to please make plans for what she’ll do when her parents aren’t able to take her places. There’s no punishment here, just real life.
RedditWidow@reddit
I'm so sorry to hear that your attempts to be a loving influence in her life have left you heartbroken. What in the world does she do all day? Does she currently see a therapist? When's the last time she had a physical with a doctor? Has she been diagnosed with anything like autism, ADHD, PTSD, etc? That's where I'd start. Something is seriously wrong here, and she needs help. You all need help.
If you feel like mom is enabling her, maybe you could all go into family therapy. It's not fair to you to live with years of heartache and to support a "child" almost 20 years into her adulthood. If she does have a disability, she may be able to get assistance to live on her own. This should get figured out now, before something happens to one or both of you and she's unprepared. Good luck.
LeanPawRickJ@reddit
Yeah, that’s the main takeaway (apart from OP being a child driving prodigy).
The daughter’s development is stunted in some way, and they need to be making provision, or at least having a mind to the future, for when they aren’t able to support her.
Weak-Seaworthiness76@reddit
Autistic here (though I can drive) when I read OPs post it's immediately where I went. From a sensory POV driving is just too much for a lot of ND folks
RedditWidow@reddit
Exactly. Also the way she hasn't responded to his desire to be important in her life, could be that she's not interacting with him in whatever neurotypical way he expects.
If she needs a lot of support and can't be independent, it's essential for the whole family that they know what's going on. She's going to need some kind of help when they're gone, and it might also go a long way toward helping him deal with his disappointment over not having the relationship he wanted to have with her.
snailtrailuk@reddit
I’m in my 50s and can’t drive. I felt like being in control of a car was akin to speeding along uncontrolled in a metal death box and that felt like too much responsibility and made my hyper vigilance exhausting. After a driving lesson I’d need the whole day off everything else. There was so much coordination needed between limbs let alone then joining vision and hearing and all the senses. It was just too overwhelming and I never improved in the many, many driving lessons I had. (Now that I’ve written this, although I have never been diagnosed with anything, it does make it sound quite like it might be a neurodivergent issue for me.) Perhaps the woman in question feels similar. Or perhaps she had an incident in a vehicle or related to seeing one which has made her suffer from PTSD in some way. I also get a bit of this from the ‘training’ videos we were forced to watch in a previous job around road safety. Personally I am only now really starting to feel the need to learn to drive - and that’s mostly because we moved out to suburbia and have young children. There are always others ways to get around and generally I prefer the speed of those anyway - I like to walk, cycle and take the bus - I can listen to podcasts or music or just the birds as I go, I know how long it will take me to get somewhere if I walk as traffic rarely impacts on me. It gives me more me time and less stress.
Sarsmi@reddit
It's weird that you started with a huge complaint about this person not being able to drive nor wanting to learn, and then ended with how she doesn't want to accept you into her life, and how it has broken your heart. This just reeks of missing missing reasons.
sfdsquid@reddit
I can't be helpful but I can understand your frustration.
My daughter was apprehensive and just got her license at 22. Timid and anxious but she learned and now she's actually a pretty great driver. Parallel parks better than I do and I've been driving for ~40 years.
How does she not even have a state ID? I take it she doesn't vote.
I don't know what to tell you. I'm sorry I can't help.
MrsPeg@reddit
So what? Driving isn't compulsory. A lot of people would be better off taking a walk.
COVID19Blues@reddit
I think it’s more about being willing to help her mother and step-father in case they need it. Drive them to the doctor or go to the store if they can’t.
It shows an unwillingness on her part to even do the bare minimum to help out her long term benefactors.
IncommunicadoVan@reddit
Exactly. OP said he is looking head and having A able to drive is reasonable so as to help them in the future.
juleeff@reddit
Parents could take the same advice...use Uber, elder or disabled transportation, or public bus. Why are the expectations that the daughter should drive them. Gen X is used to figuring things out.
bloodyqueen526@reddit
Because she doesnt do a damn thing. She lives with them and they completely support her.
juleeff@reddit
By choice.
So they can also find alternatives for getting around when they need to.
IncommunicadoVan@reddit
OP, it sounds like with your and your wife’s health issues and getting older that you would like A to be able to drive so that she could drive you both if needed, especially looking towards the future. If so, that is completely reasonable. Have you discussed that reason with A?
tastyreg@reddit
51, the last time I sat behind the wheel of a car was over 30 years ago, can't see me ever doing it again.
International-Okra79@reddit
Not driving is one thing. If you live in a major city, you may be ok with just a bike. Her not having a State ID is a major red flag. Sounds like she is unemployed. If that is the case and you are supporting a 37-year-old that isn't disabled, you need to stop. She is long past the time required for someone to be a self-sufficient adult. I was diagnosed on the spectrum, drove since 16, and lived alone since 17.
jwwetz@reddit
In my family, for generations in fact, the rule was that once you became an adult & finished high school, if you stayed at home then you either worked and contributed financially to the household, or you were on the hook for massive amounts of chores around the house and/or yard & property. The exception was if you went to college locally & lived at home. Even then you worked part time to help pay for school and you still helped with chores. Those that didn't go to school usually joined the military & left, or got regular jobs and left as soon as possible.
NoStyle79@reddit
I have the same issue and realize it has nothing to do with my son it was always me.. I didn't put him at the wheel at 6 like my mother did, I didn't expose him to driving so much that he was naturally comfortable by the time his time came.. it's always what I didn't do and allowed to just happen is the real issue. Now that I realized that we do those activities. I take him to a dirt road and say if we want to get home we walk or you drive.
X-Bones_21@reddit
Tell her to move to New York. She won’t need to drive, but she’ll need therapy worse than ever!
thatgirlinny@reddit
Don’t send more unemployed here, thank you.
X-Bones_21@reddit
LOL! Loving it.
SquirrelsNRaccoons@reddit
It's time to kick this grow-ass adult in the pants and push her to be an adult. Get tough, you owe it to her. If she needs therapy (sounds like she does), get her into therapy. A therapist will probably have better success with motivating her than you will.
More_Law6245@reddit
Try a new approach, living in the house comes with new conditions e.g. must have a state ID and drivers licence. No ID and no drivers licence then it's a new place to live. You and your wife also stop being the chauffeur and make her catch public transport or ride share.
You're not providing incentive and it's allowing your step daughter to take absolutely no responsibility in life. Your wife and yourself need to be on the same page or both of you are not communicating to each other.
WalterCanFindToes@reddit
When my son (GenZ) was 15 years old I asked about signing him up for drivers ed and he said he didn't want a license. When asked why not and he casually replied, "Why? Anywhere I need to go you or Uber bring me." I then calculated how Uber rides were compared to cost of a vehicle plus insurance on a teenage boy and did not bring it up again.
East-Garden-4557@reddit
Her decision not to drive is her choice. You have a choice to drive her around or not. Enabling her isn't helping her. She either needs to get her license or learn to live her life without being driven around.
bannana@reddit
If she doesn't have an ID then she apparently doesn't have a job and has never worked? So you both are funding her doing what exactly? Just sitting around the house? This sounds like a huge failure on her mother's part and you should have picked up on this before you were married. Unfortunately now you might be stuck with her daughter since your wife doesn't feel compelled to push her out of the nest. Good luck.
_plays_in_traffic_@reddit
so many people in here sound like my shitty parents. i can really tell im at the far end of the x years.
bannana@reddit
OP's wife sounds like a crappy parent who failed their kid and didn't give them a decent foundation to strike out on their own which is why they are still at home and not able to function as an adult.
Rab1dus@reddit
Can you elaborate?
LVMom@reddit
At 20 yo, my youngest is quite a bit younger than your daughter, but shares some of the same issues. They have a state ID but will probably never get their drivers license because of mental health issues. We take them to/from work when it’s convenient for us, but they are responsible for getting rides to and/or from work when we’re not available (which is most of the time).
My kiddo can either use Lyft and pay for it out of their own money or ride their bike. Usually they get a Lyft, but it’s no skin off my back because I don’t pay for it
TallStarsMuse@reddit
My friends 23 year old daughter also doesn’t know how to drive. Her mom told me that driving just wasn’t happening. I offered to teach her, thinking there would be less baggage than with a parent-child relationship. While my endeavors ultimately weren’t successful because she moved (and I couldn’t break her of hitting the gas pedal instead of the brake when she panicked), it made for some pleasant afternoons and I am glad I was there for her. I wonder if someone other than her parents could instruct your stepdaughter?
DesignNormal9257@reddit
As someone who got their license at 37, I found it helpful to get a a package of driver’s Ed classes. I lived in a city and moved to an area without public transportation.
DameEmma@reddit
Didn't get a driver's license until I was 40. Lived in a city, took the bus and rode a bike. I finally got a license because I started teaching a class at a suburban campus and I was riding the bus for 3 hours round trip to teach for 2. But I got ID when I was 18. Does she not... Vote? Rent stuff? Travel? That's the weird part.
Ginger630@reddit
I didn’t learn to drive until I was in my 30’a because I lived in a major city with a great transportation system. When I moved to the suburbs, I had to learn.
That being said, this isn’t your problem. She’s an adult. She can get herself to where she needs to go. Don’t drive her anywhere if it bothers you. If she doesn’t have an ID, that’s her problem.
Las_Vegan@reddit
Does step-daughter work or have some source of her own income? It’s well past time for her to leave the nest and be independent. Her mother enabling her and infantilizing is hurting your step daughter. Make a plan with your wife and set it in motion.
Canoearoo@reddit
How could she? She doesn't even have an ID.
Ratatoskr_The_Wise@reddit
Yeah, that’s just goofy. How does she get into bars?
MrsClaireUnderwood@reddit
Into what?
tragicsandwichblogs@reddit
I'm guessing you live in one of the states that doesn't have "stop and identify" laws if she doesn't even have ID. What's her long-term solution here?
Is she neurodivergent?
MoonageDayscream@reddit
You can get a state ID that is not a passport. That is what I have.
tragicsandwichblogs@reddit
Yes, that's what I was referring to.
chud3@reddit
But OP said she doesn't even have an ID.
MoonageDayscream@reddit
Then that is the first step. If we are dealing with anxiety we need to break it all down into manageable parts. Op needs to move from her needing a DL to needing an ID, then tackle.the therapy. After addressing the reasons for her avoiding driving she can get a learner's permit, take lessons, and only then should the issue of a DL come up. Pressing the end goal on somone who can't take. he first step is a recipe for failure.
Buckeye_mike_67@reddit
Yea but the OP’s stepdaughter hasn’t even done the minimum required to do that
Ratatoskr_The_Wise@reddit
I didn’t learn to drive until I was 24 because I live in a major Metropolis where the public transportation is excellent. I only learned to drive when I needed to go into the suburbs. What you’ve got to do is stop driving her places. “hey too bad you don’t know how to drive or I’d loan the car.”
Routine_Ingenuity315@reddit
Why does she still live with you? Why isn't she living on her own? Sounds like an eternal teenager wannabe.
Cowboy_Buddha@reddit
1) Is there some sort of mental illness? Or just entitlement?
2) Both of you are getting older, what if something happened to either or both of you? She would be in trouble. Not only could she not stand on her own, there is a level of terminal naïveté present, and she would be taken advantage of.
3) For her future, check out the sub /findapath. Also personality tests and interests. Also /adulting, and search for “driving.”
4) She is clearly a Millennial, and they have this term called “Adulting,” and it seems like she should be introduced to that idea.
Driving is a skill related to spatial awareness, vision, and awareness of other cars in motion. Vehicle control is a big one. I think of it in terms of flow and head on a swivel.
Are there baby steps she could take? Show her how the car operates while parked, accelerator, brakes, turn signals, wipers, defrost, how not to lock keys in the car, etc. Make it less scary.
She would need to take drivers training, get a learners permit, be insured, drive on the road, take the test, and get licensed.
Maybe AAA might have some resources for you.
SilentRaindrops@reddit
I feel for you but statistics show that today's younger generations are not as interested in getting their license or a car. But regardless, there is nothing stopping her from getting her ID. Help get together the papers she will need and take her down to the DMV. Check first to see if you need to make a reservation.
Perhaps she might be interested in getting a regular bike, electric bike or electric scooter.
Princess_Jade1974@reddit
Unless she’s expects you to drive her everywhere who tf cares, I’ve never driven and I’m 51.
Cinisajoy2@reddit
The OP was more worried about her driving them.
Princess_Jade1974@reddit
Yeah I wasnt going to read that wall of text, so thankyou XD
Buckeye_mike_67@reddit
Why not?
Princess_Jade1974@reddit
Why what?
ToddBradley@reddit
Good for her. We need more people like this.
cfo6@reddit
Ok, I misunderstood.
OP is a guy. I thought you were saying we need more people like the daughter.
cfo6@reddit
What, dependent on others for transportation? It doesn't sound like she takes ubers, bikes, hitchhikes, etc.
ToddBradley@reddit
The GenX way is sink or swim. There are lots of alternative approaches to transportation. Unless this person is disabled, she needs to choose one.
Simon-Says69@reddit
No, there are enough lazy, selfish, parasitical people in the world.
MeowMeowCollyer@reddit
Our 33-year old doesn’t drive or ride a bike. She says she feels” not in control of her body” when she’s driving.
And, since she’s never driven, she honestly not the best person to give rides to. She just doesn’t under stand the etiquette.
We’ve had so many conversations with her but she just fills with anxiety and starts crying.
Don’t feel bad if your eyes rolled at any point while reading this. My husband and I both think she’s ridiculous.
Note: in all other aspects of her life, we think our daughter is absolutely incredible. The driving thing…maddening. And unrelatable.
vixenlion@reddit
I notice this around 2003. I asked someone who was 20 if they were driving. They said no. I notice the pattern more and more.
When I was 14 at my friend’s house they were driving. At 16 I had my license! As soon as I could !
vixenlion@reddit
My niece bought a car when she was 16 . I went to visit whe she was a senior and she still dint have her license!
I told her I was taking her out to drive every day for a week for an hour! Well she improved so much.
I told her she could do it but she needed to do it.
I bought her a calendar and told her to call anyone over 21 that would sit and drive with her. She did !
You need to make her go out.
How is she paying for herself ?
Sorry OP
New-Mark-6215@reddit
This is a rough situation. You sound defeated. I suggest a life coach, certified peer mentor, or even possibly an Occupational Therapist. They all have a more hands on and proactive approach to problem solving. Being challenged by someone close to a peer could be a great motivator. Like others here have already stated she may never feel comfortable being behind the wheel. Now maybe the time to navigate your own personal mobility options as you age. Maybe she can start with something less intimidating like a golf cart. Some health insurance policies cover medical transport. You can pay or barter with neighbors in exchange for rides. But if she isn’t gonna to learn to drive she can contribute by providing problem solving options.
soleiles1@reddit
My God things have changed. The second I got my license at 16, I essentially never came home.
She is almost 40 and still at home? The reason she is still there and not taking care of her responsibilities as a grown adult is because your wife is enabling her. That needs to stop. She can get therapy but she needs to get there in her own car, on her time off from her job and from her own apartment.
She is doing her no favors continuing this nonsense. There needs to be some serious ultimatums. Put your foot down now!
Few-Pineapple-5632@reddit
I got mine at 15 and left home 2 years later.
seanx50@reddit
My best friend and I used to "borrow" his brothers cars when we were 15. I can't imagine not driving.
Solid-Bee-1613@reddit
It sounds like her mother has been enabling her for too long. Since she doesn’t even have a state photo ID, I would assume she also doesn’t work or have her own bank account.
Driving is so much easier now than when I was learning to drive at 15. It’s nearly impossible to find a car with manual transmission, most vehicles have a backup camera and a lot have lane assist. If you live in Florida, other than congestion, our roads are flat & straight, can’t get much easier. Empty parking lots are a good place to practice driving. Time to give her a wake up call to the reality that you and her mother won’t be around as her chauffeur forever.
araseceer@reddit
I love to drive and always have
Cranks_No_Start@reddit
Same here. I couldn’t imagine my life without the ability to drive.
Claque-2@reddit
Do you check your mirrors every 12 seconds? Do you have good peripheral vision? Does your neck turn easily? Do you have petit mal seizures?
There are lots of reasons for not driving. The best one is that you know you are a bad driver. Maybe there's a physical reason and maybe there's a mental reason. But being lazy or entitled is rarely the reason.
Cranks_No_Start@reddit
Really pulled that one out of your ass didn’t you.
Claque-2@reddit
That's not where I keep my notes, but you do you.
ransier831@reddit
Im 54 years old, and i do not drive. When I should have been learning, my family didnt have a car to learn on. All through my 20s, I could never afford a car, and in my 30s I was married and learning to drive was not a priority. I got divorced in my 40s and again couldnt afford the expense of a car. Now that im in my 50s, I can afford a car - but instead of learning to drive myself, I bought a car for my daughter and she drives. I feel im at the point that its too late to learn this particular skill, and I feel a bit stressed even as a passenger. I also live in an area that has a good bus and Uber system and have used them all my life - so at this point, im more comfortable using them. My sister also doesnt drive - my daughter (who lives with me) does any driving we need. Luckily, I dont have anyone in my life who looks down on me for never having learned. Not everyone needs to know how to drive to become an adult.
ElleGeeAitch@reddit
Oh, wow, our stories are very similar! I'm 52,, I've lived in the same genetal aeea my whole life, which is urban. My parents didn't drive (they grew up poor on an island before moving to the US), so no car in the family and no one to teach me. I did get my learner's permit 3x and had promises of being taught to drive by my older sister and best friend that never materialized. I couldn't afford lessons, never mind a car. By the time I could, I leaned into starting my family. I still wish I had learned, but I feel way too anxious to try and learn now. I live in an area with a robust public transportation system. Uber fills the gaps as needed. My husband has had his license since he was 16 but has never owned a car. He's 60. We were married for almost 6 months, together almost 2 1/2 before I saw him behind the wheel! It was so weird!
ransier831@reddit
Thats funny - I have gotten my permit many, many times. The woman at the DMV made a joke about it the last time I did it. I took a couple lessons, but the instructor said I just need practice - but at the time, didnt have a car to practice on. Many people have offered to "teach" me, including my husband when I was married, but follow through has been lacking. Now, I would learn if it wasnt for all the other drivers on the road - if i lived in a rural area i would have already learned.
ElleGeeAitch@reddit
Yeah, I'm in urban NJ, it's crazy druving around here
Wakeful-dreamer@reddit
The problem seems to be that not driving has led to not working or pulling her own weight in society.
Silver_Breakfast7096@reddit
It’s never too late
Myfreakinglyfe@reddit
I also don’t drive. I’m 53. I know others around my age that also don’t drive. I live in a city, so it’s not that difficult.
ZweigleHots@reddit
I don't drive due to anxiety issues. I technically know how and could do so if there was an emergency and I was the only one functional,. Nobody has ever enabled me. I walk, take the bus, or take an Uber. I structure my life so that those things are doable. If someone's willing to give me a ride, great; otherwise I manage just fine without.
seeingeyegod@reddit
taking the bus is way more anxiety inducing for me than driving. Its usually full of crazy people.
MadGeller@reddit
If she needs therapy to be able to driven then she should absolutely not drive. She is the last person that should be getting behind the wheel of a car. She would definitely be a bad driver
djsmurphy@reddit
Some people just don't drive. I'm 56 and no license, driving terrifies me. That being said I don't expect or rely on others to drive me around. I know I handicapped myself so it's my responsibility to figure it out when I need to get somewhere.
seeingeyegod@reddit
do you live somewhere with good public transportation?
djsmurphy@reddit
There's a bus system that's fairly decent. Some routes only run every hour though and there are parts of town with limited service. Uber and Lyft came in a few years back but sometimes there's a wait for them too. Mainly I do a lot of walking.
juleeff@reddit
I hate driving. Put it off until I was 18 and moved away for college. Now in counting the days to retirement so I can move were public transportation is a thing and no longer worry about driving
Timely-Youth-9074@reddit
She sounds incredibly entitled.
beerncandy@reddit
I just came here to say I don't understand why she doesn't even have a state ID. There's a lot missing in this story. Good luck to you though!.
TouchingTheMirror@reddit
Does the daughter work strictly for cash?? Are there any above-the-board jobs you can get now without some form of official ID?
Where I live there’s a large amish community, and many members work regular jobs; I believe even they have to have some form of government identification to work.
bradco@reddit
She. Is. Full. Of. Shit. Needing therapy is like saying "You wouldn't understand" in our generation. I'm going to be honest with you, I've got a similar "origin story" for me. I married in 2000 and got an insta-family with a stepdaughter then add a daughter a year later. My stepdaughter doesn't see me as anything but her dad. Similar story with a father who didn't want to partake in my stepdaughter's life so I became Dad which I love. She had some issues in her teenage years, there was some trauma there that happened but the outcome was that she was manipulative in nature as diagnosed by multiple professionals from different networks. Sent her to therapy and such, thinks weren't overly smooth but seemed to improve until she turned 18 then ran off with her grandma who said "there's nothing wrong" Funny enough that didn't last but we just told my MIL tough shit, you wanted this it's your problem since you didn't let us help her. Fast forward a few years and we patched things up which is great because she got married and just this year I became a grandpa.
So I guess what I'm trying to say here is that one saying still holds true and that's the lesson of tough love. This whole "need therapy" shit is a security blanket or Draw 4 UNO card maneuver. It's basically the "you wouldn't understand man" statement from our generation. I guess my ask of you would be "what are her contributions to the household". If it's jack and shit, it's time to give ultimatums. If she doesn't treat you like a dad then treat her like a roommate. If mom wants to get involved then warn her that you all raised her and the natural order of things is that the daughter needs to either participate in the benefit of the household because she's not some kid. It's kind of like when I remind my youngest sometimes who turned 25, I just say "at your age I was married, raising 2 girls, deploying to war and earning my bachelors degree so I don't think it's too much to ask for you to be able to do X thing".
I do get where you're coming from OP, it feels like where I was when my oldest (stepdaughter) ran off after we talked and I was going to adopt her to make it official. In your case, it's probably a lesson like I said. If I'm just some dude then your ass needs to pay for your room, utilities and share of the groceries or I'm starting eviction proceedings. If your wife disapproves then you might need to have a very hard conversation there because given your situation, the financial stuff isn't very healthy with one health driven retiree and another one from injury.
Buzzbait_PocketKnife@reddit
I’m 59. Never driven a car in my life. Get over it. Not everyone wants to be like you.
bernardfarquart@reddit
You must be a burden to so many people in your life
epicpillowcase@reddit
I don't drive (medical.) I don't even accept rides, let alone expect them. I get myself around via walking or PT. Why are you assuming this person expects people to drive them places?
Cubbance@reddit
Wow, I'm glad you're not in my family. I'm a non-driver, and thankfully, my brother, sister, and mother actually love me and don't consider me a burden. And I've surrounded myself with great and loving friends who don't think of me as a burden either.
nearly_enough_wine@reddit
I made a conscious decision not to drive (temperament, financial, environmental reasons) and it does come with drawbacks. But I made my choice with the full understanding that I would quickly run out of friends if I treated them like a taxi service - so I don't do that.
Spiritual_Disk7112@reddit
I don’t drive. I have never asked anyone else to drive me anywhere, including medical appointments, etc. Good public transportation exists and people do live in walkable areas/cities.
Buzzbait_PocketKnife@reddit
Hardly. I walk, ride a bicycle, or take public transportation.
People who are heavily invested in their car think that a car is necessary to live. People who are unburdened of this illusion see the freedom of not owning one.
Buckeye_mike_67@reddit
Wait,what? How do you get away with that? How do you get to work? DR appointments? Vacation?
Meng_Fei@reddit
I'm more concerned with how many people assume they'll always be able to drive or have someone drive them. I love driving, but also realised that one day I might not be able to, so I live in an area with good public transport, and within walking distance to a doctor, supermarket, several restaurants and a even a hospital.
I drive to work, but in the past have ridden my bicycle, and could also geta bus if I needed to. As for holidays, I've been to multiple countries overseas and only needed to drive in one of them. All the others I either caught PT, used taxis/rideshare or hired a driver.
Cinisajoy2@reddit
There are plenty of people that don't drive. You find people willing to take you places maybe for a fee maybe not. You walk. There is public transportation.
Buzzbait_PocketKnife@reddit
Big car doesn’t want you to know this one simple trick. Live where the places you need to go aren’t too far away.
Socalwarrior485@reddit
There are also some people that SHOULDNT drive. One of my children has gotten in a few accidents, and she scares the shit out of me.
No judgment. Not everyone needs to get behind the wheel of a 2 ton murder machine if they don’t want to. In 15 years maybe none of us will drive once Waymo and Amazon take over the world anyway.
ProBuyer810-3345045@reddit
This is such bullshit, there is no excuse for middle-aged adult to not drive except for pure laziness. Why should she drive when others take her wherever she needs to go? She should have been forced into it years ago, now you are stuck with her. Good luck.
Caribgirl2@reddit
Please read again about anxiety disorder/panic attacks as mentioned by others already. It's a real thing.
Simon-Says69@reddit
That is HER problem to deal with, not her parents'.
She's being selfish. A disability is no excuse to abuse people around you.
abczoomom@reddit
Excuse? Where does OP say that she's demanding taxi service from either of them? I've read it 3 times now, and his complaints seem to be that she won't drive *to help/serve them/the family* and that she doesn't have a good relationship with him. Which honestly makes him sound selfish, not her.
ProBuyer810-3345045@reddit
Well if she would’ve started driving when she was 16 like the rest of us, she wouldn’t have this problem!
Turbulent-Demand873@reddit
I have a 24 year old daughter that doesn’t want to drive. She’s had her permit at 16 and tried to drive a couple of times but has no interest in it. She feels that with the level of anxiety she has while driving it’s not safe for her to be driving.
Masters_domme@reddit
Yeah. Mine just turned 23 and won’t drive. None of her friends will drive, either. She spoke to a therapist about it, and was told nearly every young adult that lady sees is “too afraid” to drive. It’s baffling to me. On the one hand, I’m glad she recognizes that she may not be a safe driver because “there are too many things to do all at the same time”, but we live out in the country, and public transportation is basically nonexistent. I think there’s ONE bus line inside city limits, so moving to town won’t help much, either. 🤦🏻♀️
Alit_Quar@reddit
She may be right. Always a possibility.
No_hope_left72@reddit
Everything else aside she needs to get her license. Maybe a conversation with your wife and daughter at the same time pointing out all the health issues that are rising and about how it’s only going to get worse and that if she’s gonna be there then you’re gonna expect help from her from now on starting with only the license if you overwhelmed with anything else there going to feel both of them attacked
Finding_Way_@reddit
I think if she does not want to/ mentally or physically is not able to get a license then she needs to be able to live a FULLY independent life as an adult without one.
People do so, even in areas with horrible public transportation.
She'll need to start using Uber. I would not be her taxi.
Might seem harsh, but one day you and her mom will not be there and she will have to get herself where she needs to go.
If she can't walk or bike there? She'll need to take an Uber, work with an adult social worker and see about getting special county / city transport services, or use what public transportation is available.
harrimsa@reddit
My cousin is almost 50 and still does not have his license. There has always been some kind of “excuse” he would use such as not having his birth certificate or needing new glasses but refusing to make a vision appointment.
He is very high functioning in every other aspect of his life. He has always been a bit eccentric and I’m guessing he is probably somewhere on the spectrum but he has had a great career and seems to have healthy relationships in his personal life.
He just will do anything to avoid getting his license and driving a car. At this point I’m guessing he never will. Just part of who he is.
NaDarach@reddit
I'm 55 and autistic, but most people would never know I'm on the spectrum except for a few quirks that other neurodivergent people clock right away. One of those things is that I don't drive. Never have been able to. I used to make all kinds of excuses, because honestly, I didn't know what my problem was. It was only when I was finally diagnosed, in middle age, that I understood why I just couldn't do it.
Many autistic people do drive, but a lot of us don't. Guys have the toughest time with it when they can't, I think. That could also help account for the BS excuses. It can feel very emasculating when you can't do something so basic to being a grown dude. And cars are traditionally very much a Guy Thing.
harrimsa@reddit
Thank you for that insight
rahah2023@reddit
My daughter is high functioning ASD, driving made her nervous so starting at 15 i sent her to multiple drivers ed classes (3) then paid for 5 additional behind the wheel sessions & even paid my retired Uncle to take her out driving 3x a week for a few months- at 17 she passed & got her license & we forbid her from freeway driving and kept her to side roads till she felt comfortable.
Whenever we went anywhere as a family she drove to get better
By 18 she was pretty good and driving gave her better work options
If you can afford multiple classes and sessions it eventually works
thisisntmyotherone@reddit
If his daughter were still 15, sure. She’s 37. Assuming not disabled and unable to work, why should he pay for anything more for her? It seems like she’s been an unappreciative mooch for at least her entire adult life, if not longer.
rahah2023@reddit
Being 37 and this stunted- she’s got some personality disorder or she’s undiagnosed something. This is not normal behavior
HighGlutenTolerance@reddit
Sounds like maybe family and solo therapy would be the best place to start, for everyone in the home.
KiloJools@reddit
I gotta say, as much as I understand how inconvenient it is for you, someone knowing their limits when it comes to operating a deadly piece of machinery is a good thing.
It doesn't mean she gets to rely on you or her mother for transportation, but it does mean that maybe she doesn't mess up someone else's day/life with her driving. She needs to find her own way of getting around without your help of course.
But it's honestly a good thing when someone who knows they'd be bad at driving chooses not to drive. It truly is not something 100% of the population should be doing, but it's rare that bad drivers turn in their keys.
missusscamper@reddit
What is the issue here really? That you need her to drive in order to help out more or that she needs you to drive her everywhere? Dont expect anything from her and dont plan ahead around her either. Just live your life. Downsize and move when youre ready. She will have to figure it out.
maddog2271@reddit
If it was me I would just stop doing any driving on her behalf. She can walk, bicycle, or call an Uber. And if she doesn’t like it she can and should move to a place that is walkable. Adults can make their own decisions, and in the end, you cannot force her to drive. But she cannot force you to make up that “gap” for her.
QuirkyForever@reddit
I didn't get a DL until I was maybe 34 because I had a driving phobia. A kind, compassionate, gentle friend taught me to drive. Previously, my dad, who was a terrible, impatient teacher, had tried, but just freaked me out. Now I love driving. Is there a friend she likes who can help her get over her discomfort? You don't seem like you're very compassionate person. Your energy might not helping.
AgPatriotAg@reddit
If there is any consolation... Uber and Waymo are going autonomous and driver less soon! In fact those two companies have massive investors putting mega billions into them right now. So soon, driver-less cheap taxis will be available.
Meng_Fei@reddit
Two things that you said stand out to me:-
and
You won't win her over by pushing her to drive or assuming she will be there to drive you and your wife to and from appointments. Yes, she needs to be an adult, contribute to household expenses, and take care of "adult stuff" herself, but if she is dead set against driving, you will not win this fight, and it will only make the relationship with both her and your wife worse.
Also - even if your step daughter was happy to help out, what were you planning on doing if she got married or moved for work?
In the best spirit of figure-it-out-yourself Gen-Xness, you should be planning for a life where you and your wife can't drive. If possible move to an area with better public transport, or where major things such as shops and a doctor are within walking distance. If you can't, work out how you'll get around. Because relying on your daughter to drive you isn't a much better strategy then her relying on you.
And I do get that you've helped support her for years, and she should be grateful, but life sucks that way sometimes.
Silver_Breakfast7096@reddit
I have zero patience for people like her. Who’s been enabling her all this time?
Pinkbeans1@reddit
This is why I “made/forced” my kids to learn to drive.
Oldest (22) didn’t want to, but hates to disappoint us, so she muddled through. Got her license right before she went away to college.
Middle (20) couldn’t wait to get his license and was a great driver from day 1.
Youngest (16) didn’t want to, cried, begged me to understand her fears, had full on hissy fits trying to not learn. Got her license & hasn’t been home since January. /s
Pristine-Ad-8002@reddit
Right? I had 1 that was hesitant and driving is a must where we live as there is not public transportation. He took an extra 6 months to practice which was totally fine. I just can’t fathom never learning.
Wakeful-dreamer@reddit
People like OP and his wife as well.
CatchyNameSomething@reddit
Stop taking her places unless it’s to a job and, even then, give her a deadline of when she’ll need to procure her own ride to work from then on. At this age, she should be (more) independent. You could slowly put her into a position to be exactly that.
At this point, she’s got it made. She has a roof she doesn’t have to provide for herself and vehicle access without maintenance responsibility. She’s not going to volunteer to give that up.
CreativeBusiness6588@reddit
You sound like an amazing husband. I don't get "kids" these days.
One_Toe1452@reddit
My son has ASD, never learned to drive, he’s in his late 20s. And he doesn’t suffer from that decision. Culturally, learning how to drive and having a car was a rite of passage and a very real tool for freedom for our generation. Times have changed. You can get goods and services delivered via your phone and get most places via ride services or e-micromodal transportation. Car ownership is horribly expensive, prohibitively so for lots of folks, too. Personally, our cars are getting long in the tooth and we don’t want to replace them, so they are saved for longer trips or for heavy cargo transport. We e-bike or regular bike on most cross-town trips.
Plus, driving IS scary. If we stop to think about all the dangerous variables and potential idiots on the road, we might have anxiety attacks. Perhaps she’s the one with the most common sense.
She needs to get an ID, though.
NaDarach@reddit
As a 55-year-old man who has never been able to drive due to autism and comorbid ADHD/OCD, neurodivergence is the first thing I thought of, here. If this is indeed the underlying problem, this woman may not even know why because Millennials and older are so under-diagnosed, especially women.
Neurodivergence could potentially also explain other frustrating and puzzling behavior, even apparent apathy about personal relationships like the one with OP. She might just be a lazy asshat, but the driving thing in particukar really sets off my A-dar.
DiverDownChunder@reddit
My buddy has a kid thats nearly 30 years old, never had a drivers license. I bought my 1st car when I was 14 and drove it illegal for years until I totaled it. I don't get this generation at all...
And try working with them, constant doom scrolling. I like my gadgets but I don't live on them...
AKTamster907@reddit
The daughter needs to grow up. Either she gets a car & drives or she finds another mode of transportation besides your vehicle. That needs to stay with you & your wife since you both have health issues. I’m in Alaska where it is extremely hard to get around without a vehicle. I would hate not having a car & having to depend on others or public transportation to get places. I don’t get people who don’t drive.
Buckeye_mike_67@reddit
I’m reading these responses and can’t believe how many genxer’s don’t drive. I can only imagine they live their lives in a small bubble. Hell, I drive 300-400 miles a week just for work. Me and the wife go to her farm most weekends or travel for vacation. No wonder I read so many posts on here about depressed genxer’s
Caribgirl2@reddit
Well count your blessings instead of looking down on people. People have epilepsy, narcolepsy, anxiety/panic disorder, etc. that makes driving difficult and dangerous. And as you can see, many have compensated for their medical diagnosis the best way they know how. I think you need to get out of YOUR bubble.
Simon-Says69@reddit
Therapy before she starts driving!?! LOLOLOL
She should get thrown out on her ear. She's selfish and lazy.
OP you are being entirely too nice to this 4 year old in a 40 year old body. Woman needs a spanking. Stop putting up with her crap.
FrankParkerNSA@reddit
Damn, your step daughter definitely unlocked the cheat code.
I have a mid 20s step daughter as well scared to drive. She and her mom were rear-ended about 10 years ago and while shes gotten learner's permits has never completed the road test. She's married to her HS sweetheart and totally dependant on him. Drives me fucking nuts, but her mother is just happy she's not our problem.
All I can say is you and your wife need to get on the same page and establish some boundaries, and force this child to grow up before you both fall over dead.
junulee@reddit
You’ve been driving since before you were 7?!
vistaculo@reddit
I started driving by sitting on my dad’s lap and steering, when I was tall enough to reach the pedals from the edge of the seat pulled all the way forward I was driving solo.
junulee@reddit
I was similar. I would sit in the passenger seat and change gears for my Mom when I was 7, I drove a tractor solo when I was 10, and a stick shift F250 on our property at 12, but OP says “driving” as if driving solo on public roads since before turning 7…. that’s impressive even for a GenXer
Historical_Nail7271@reddit
Did you forget this was Gen X?!
chicadeaqua@reddit
As someone who hates driving-I get the reluctance-does she have a means of getting around? Plans to become independent?
If she can figure out a way to exist without driving-awesome-but you are perfectly justified in not wanting to be used up by another adult.
Poneke365@reddit
For the sake of the family I can see why you would want her to get a license.
She does sound co-dependent though or something is going on there🤔
JimGerm@reddit
“We’re gonna give you six months, and then after that you’re on your own getting around. You’re capable. Contribute by learning how to drive and getting a license”
That’s gotta be the play right? Take your life back.
thisisntmyotherone@reddit
Six months? Wow, you’re generous. I’d say she’s out of the house in one.
deebay2150@reddit
You started driving at 7?! Stepdaughter is waaay behind.
om_hi@reddit
I hate driving. It's the worst. I wish I didn't have to drive, but I'm also a "fuck you don't tell me what to do" person, so the thought of not driving, despite the paralyzing anxiety that masks as rage, is unfathomable.
Am I a danger? No. I'm too aware of everything and everyone around me to be dangerous.
SimpleVegetable5715@reddit
I think a lot of issue is in that long assed story, because this isn’t just a 37 year old nervous to drive.
Zoinks222@reddit
I feel like I’m missing a piece of the puzzle. I have an adult child in their late 20’s and they do not drive but they moved to a city with good public transportation and value their independence. What has led to your stepdaughter being in a situation where she is so dependent on your wife? Did she take special education courses on school? Is she neurodivergent? Did she live on her own and have to move back home due to economic conditions? Does she work or attend school?
thisisntmyotherone@reddit
All excellent questions, a couple of which I posed as well.
Vegetable_Loan1627@reddit
The driving is one thing and I get that it seems like the main problem, but honestly, it feels like that is just a symptom of the other, more intense problem that she doesn’t accept you as family. That is deeply painful and I’m really sorry.
Outrageous_Drag6613@reddit
It’s a law to have some form of state ID, drivers license, military ID, passport etc. Set an ultimatum and don’t offer to be their taxi 🚕
MoonageDayscream@reddit
What law is that?
Outrageous_Drag6613@reddit
You can’t exist here without some form of government issued identification. You need it for banking and many other aspects of life. Car rental, hotels, flights, medical appointments, pharmacy, to rent an apartment, to get a job and more
mjk67@reddit
Remember when grabbing the keys was 'the key' to getting away from the parents and experiencing life ?
_Losing_Generation_@reddit
I couldn't wait. In fact my dad came home early from work one day and I drove right by him before I had my license. That stunt delayed me getting my license for six months, but I couldn't wait to drive. Freedom.
ShartlesAndJames@reddit
whoops!
EggCzar@reddit
It's 2026. If she wants to get around without a car, there's Uber and Lyft. If you don't want to enable her car-free existence, then don't. That's where your involvement in it should end.
Smoking_In_The_90s@reddit
“Also, you're 57 and have been driving for "over 50 years"? Really?”
In the industry we call that bullshit.
thisisntmyotherone@reddit
We also call those typos.
Hot-Ad930@reddit
Is she disabled in some way? Does she work?
detuneme@reddit
What I want to know is how you were driving at age 6.
Matookie@reddit
Shit was different back then, ok? 😄
Historical_Nail7271@reddit
Yeah. Kids these days have to take kindergarten entrance exams. We just showed up.
🤘🏻🧑🏻🎤😎
Coho444@reddit
Have you brought up getting a motorcycle? Maybe she will be more comfortable on two wheels instead of four
Tiger_grrrl@reddit
Sounds like he wants a chauffeur so that wouldn’t work.
MessoGesso@reddit
I drove late and so did my sister. The comedian Norm McDonald never had a drivers license.
For me, it was a combination of things. My parents signed No for permission to Drivers Ed in high school. Then for many years I didn't have any money for a car and driving lessons. I did get a bicycle and lessons for that. I finally got a car license but I've stayed scared to drive. I've been driving 40 years and I still avoid driving.
Idk why your stepdaughter avoids driving but it must be pretty bad. If she thinks counseeling will help she can start online
Jennyreviews1@reddit
Woah 🤯… Hold the phone…what?! It’s one thing to have a phobia of driving… I think what’s more alarming is that your daughter is still living at home and doesn’t own even a state identification card! My God, who is taking care of this woman like she’s still eight years old? My friend, I don’t know what you and your wife are doing, but it is time for her to move out. Like 20 years ago for college. She has either been manipulating you and your wife all these years and you guys are enabling her or she is disabled? Is she disabled OP?
I have three children. I have a stepdaughter like you. She’ll be 35 this year. I raised her since she was four and she calls me mom. I am her mother. I have two biological children sons. The oldest will be 29 and the youngest just turned 26. All three of my children are independent. They’ve never asked for anything. That being said I did have a late bloomer. My oldest boy was.
One of the things that happened to me was I had to grow up quickly and be out of the house by the time I was 17 and supporting myself. That was very difficult. But it was a different time back then. I’ve worked hard all my life. I continue to do so.
My oldest boy went to college got a degree still lived at home because living outside of the home was too expensive. He went to college here in the same town. When he was in college, I didn’t expect him to pay rent. When he graduated, I made him pay a little bit on principal every month as a responsibility and reasonable chores of course because that is how I raised my children. He stayed living at home a little bit longer than the other two because I allowed him to save some money so that he could get a place of his own. That’s the least I could do.
All three of my children are independent and active in their own communities. They are productive adults. She work, pay bills, and have joined the rat race as we say of life. That’s the way of it.
I never enabled my children because what ends up happening is they started to develop emotional issues because they’re not able to grow psychologically as adults. As humans we need to grow emotionally through time, and life experiences. We have to reach certain milestones in our emotional development to be considered somewhat “normal”. And really I put that in quotes because normal is pretty relative. There’s so many different degrees of normalcy that being said we all have different personalities.
Your daughter sounds like she needs therapy on her own for whatever the issues. She needs to live on her own. If that doesn’t happen, she will never develop properly emotionally and mentally. Perhaps the bigger question here is: why is she still living at home? What is it that has kept her there? I want you to know that it is not normal for her to be at home at this age. Not unless she has a documented disability of some type that has legitimacy from a psychologist. That is a PHD who are specifically trained to do evaluations for this. No one else can do this… not unless it’s a physical handicap than of course a medical doctor that nature would need to make the diagnosis. Again, I don’t know the exact of what you’re dealing with, but what you shared is disturbing.
The advice and the reactions that you were seeing here are not meant to hurt you or upset you at least mine is not. I can understand what you must be feeling and going through especially a stepdaughter that doesn’t really acknowledge you as her father. That’s unfortunate and I’m sorry for that. Stop trying is my advice. Get tough. You have been her friend and enabler too long. Your wife needs to do the same. Have you ever heard of “tough love”?
Perhaps also, consider getting therapy with your wife on this specifically… I think maybe a good start would be to talk with a professional that can help you guys sit through all this.
At any rate, I do wish you and your wife the very best. I am sorry for your troubles. We all have them in some form or another. Remember things can change for the better. Nothing has to stay as they are. Things can get better if you choose it to be. Be well fellow GenXer
3catlove@reddit
My son is 15 and got his learner’s permit right after he turned 14 and he took driver’s ed last summer. He can get his next step of license when he turns 16. Didn’t anyone teach her to drive in her teen years or encourage her to get her permit then? Right now when we go places as a family, we usually have our son drive so he gets the practice. I’m just wondering why it never happened during the teen years. I realize there could be many reasons. I almost think it may be easier to learn to drive when you’re younger and have less preconceived ideas about driving.
Is it anxiety holding her back then? Unless there’s truly a reason she can’t drive, she probably just needs to take the first step and start learning. Sometimes anxiety needs tackled by facing it and not avoiding it. Avoiding it is just reinforcing the anxiety. Of course, if there’s more to it and she’ll be a danger on the roads then she shouldn’t drive, but sometimes you just need to face your fears head on. Good luck.
ennuiismymiddlename@reddit
I don’t really understand this post. Aside from the weird syntax, I’m not sure why your “hearts in pieces and has been for years over this.”. It’s just a drivers license.
Something deeper has to be going on that you aren’t talking about.
Would it be nice if she got her license? Of course! But unless you are going to kick her out if she doesn’t get one, you probably just need to let it go, or help her get therapy for it.
We don’t get to choose our family members. We all have family members who don’t operate their lives in the way we’d like them to. Sometimes we have to just live with that.
PPLavagna@reddit
He is taking about the “something deeper” he is supporting and giving free housing to a 37 year old freeloader who won’t even get a damn license so that she doesn’t have to be chauffeured around.
He’s deep in a codependent situation and has a loser family member dragging them down. It’s a tough situation but the kid needs to be booted out, pronto. Easier said than done when you’ve spent 20 years teaching someone that they don’t have to do anything on their own.
thatpunkyrat@reddit
The stepdaughter is not a loser, she's struggling and needs helps
PPLavagna@reddit
Doesn’t sound to me like she’s doing any struggling. She’s living rent free and has been supported by parents as an adult for the last 20 years. Helping family is great, when it becomes carrying somebody for long periods when they’re adults, it’s not healthy. These people are going to need to retire at some point but this leech is really screwing them
Independent_Civil@reddit
This person who has been enabled to remain a child for decades is not suddenly going to transform into a caregiver now that you're getting older. You're going to have to figure out an alternative plan. It does not mean she should get to live with you carefree.
AnnOnnamis@reddit
You’ve already said she doesn’t consider you anyone important.
Why are you being so obstinate and still trying to insert yourself into her life? She’s shown you who she really is. Get over it and move on. Plan your life without her as support.
By the same token, stop supporting her. You can’t change her, can’t shame or guilt her. Can’t make it transactional because you can’t trust her to reciprocate.
thisisntmyotherone@reddit
She is ‘grown-ass middle ager’ (sic). Most women in the U.S. are still dead before 90.
FlyingTerrier@reddit
You can’t enable her to continue being dependent. Therapy vs being taught to cope and grow up too.
Outrageous_Drag6613@reddit
Enable is the key here
Suckerforcats@reddit
Don't drive her anywhere. She can walk, ride a bike or take the bus. Or her mother can drive her. I know of quite a few younger people who don't drive or won't learn because their know their parents will take them where they need to go. Not real sure why there is no interest in wanting to drive and go wherever you want when you want.
Start asking friends or other family if they would drive you in an emergency or you needed a driver for a medical procedure or something. That way you have a plan in place if you need it.
Outrageous_Drag6613@reddit
Bingo
Automatic-Unit-8307@reddit
I have a DL, but haven’t driven in 35 years, legally I am allowed to to drive. But I am not selfish, I don’t want to endanger anyone so I chose life and not to drive.
Don’t be a menace to society
Next-Drummer-9280@reddit
This pisses me off.
“Learn to drive or get out of my house. We’re done enabling you. You’re nearly 40 and it’s time for you to be independent. You have 90 days to leave.”
thisisntmyotherone@reddit
Thirty.
Capital-Mark1897@reddit
You must stop enabling this behavior.
BraveRefrigerator552@reddit
Damn. So always a burden? Does she work? In genx fashion you should have kicked her out at 20.
ReniValentine@reddit
The not driving as an adult isn't strange to me at all. As someone terminally ill living with my adult child who does not drive, I've never forced it. WE worked/work on contingency plans together. He's recently started showing interest in learning to drive, but I refuse to push him toward something that he clearly expressed not being willing and able to do. We went to make sure that he has valid photo ID so that he can do things like work, open a bank account, sign legal documents, etc.
Consistent-Sun-4360@reddit
The issue is not driving. Rather, the issue is self-sufficiency. It seems impractical for you and your wife to be supporting a 42 year old (in 5 years) while trying to manage, and perhaps enjoy, your retirement years.
If daughter won't, or can't, drive that's fine. However, no matter what she needs to move out. Perhaps that means moving closer to jobs or somewhere that has public transportation.
You & your wife have carried the daughter's baggage long enough.
ShartlesAndJames@reddit
self-sufficiency, aha! maybe if she can't drive - she will never have to move out, perhaps that is the underlying issue here.
thisisntmyotherone@reddit
I think that’s a huge Has she ever been self-sufficient, OP? Does she work outside the home? How far away oz her job? Who takes her there and brings her home every day?
Stop driving her places. Immediately. Do not offer again. You are not her taxi service. She will never be rich enough to pay you to be her taxi service.
I am so sorry this woman has thrown away so many years of your love. Your frustration is evident. She is not the only person of her generation I’ve heard of with a downright aversion to driving, which we Gen X cannot fathom. It must be those pacifiers everyone has their noses in.
I dare say the ‘I need therapy to drive’ angle is a new one for me, though.
RonGoBongo111@reddit
Stop driving her around. Don’t enable bad behavior.
No_Owl_250@reddit
I’ve watched 2 family members be enabled into almost complete inability to function. Guess what happens when their primary support person dies? It’s exponentially harder for the person to figure things out. It’s a cruel and tough world to navigate with absolutely no experience.
This sounds like a problem between you and your wife too.
All you can do is decide what you can and can’t live with and then proceed accordingly.
AZJHawk@reddit
Yeah. It sounds like it’s not just the driving and he’s been in her life for nearly thirty years, so he eats some responsibility for this.
RunJumpSleep@reddit
I have a relative who can drive but lost her car in an accident. She is saving up to buy another one but, until then, she gets around on the bus, subway, train, uber, etc. She had taken the bus hours to other counties because she wanted to go a store or to an event. Not having a car never stops her from going where she wants to go. I am confused. Stepdaughter has never had an ID, so does that mean she has never had a job or gone to college or trade school? If that’s the case, I would be more concerned about how she survives when they are both gone, not her driving.
LydiaBrunch@reddit
She can get driving lessons as an adult. Would probably help more than therapy.
RockItM3@reddit
If she has anxiety about driving, it’s not only dangerous for her but for everyone on the road around her.
Has she been tested for anxiety? Or to see if she’s neurodivergent? There are driving schools with instructors who specialize in helping new drivers learn how to manage their anxiety while processing everything going on around them. My daughter went through a couple of schools until we found the right instructor, but even that alone might not be enough if she needs anxiety medication like my daughter did.
RustySilver42@reddit
Yeah. All of this tells me she's undiagnosed with something. But since she's an adult, they can't make her get evaluated without threatening her with something.
TZX13@reddit
My brother is like this. 35 years old. Still lives at home with Mom and scared to learn how to drive. I don't get it.
ProBuyer810-3345045@reddit
Scared?!?! He should’ve fucking learned 19 years ago when he was 16 like the rest of us who had Drivers Ed at that time. Tell him to grow up and start acting like an adult!
Kestrel_Iolani@reddit
Do you live in a place where she can just not drive? Unless she's relying on Mom/Dad taxi, there are places where it's not necessary.
yayayagilliganhell@reddit
Walking is very therapeutic and a good source of exercise.
Girl77879@reddit
Eh. Some people just shouldn't be drivers and that's OK. My mom. Never drove. Tried to learn numerous times. Variety of teachers from siblings to coworkers. And nope. Said she "could see the kid on his bike darting out" and other anxiety type scenarios. And she lived in a small town, until we moved to a city. She just walked or took public transit. I was over 30 before I learned. I grew up not being driven everywhere and either walking or taking the bus, or riding a bike. I mean, it's probably healthier for society if more people walk, ride bycicles, take public transit. But, at the end of the day, a car is a weapon in the wrong hands, and if a person isn't comfortable with the idea, and know they wouldn't be a good driver - they are actually being responsible.
MaudieLebowski@reddit
No form of ID? Maybe a Ralph’s card? How does someone do pretty much anything without an ID? Fly on an airplane…buy a drink…go to a dispensary…you know…important stuff.
Naive-Specialist7727@reddit
I have a cousin like this. He just… doesn’t. No interest in driving. No interest in going out, or drinking. Just hangs out at home on his computer. Lives close enough to a store to walk.
MaudieLebowski@reddit
Weird. Right?! Due to epilepsy I no longer have a drivers license…but I at least have an official ID. I miss driving.
Wacko_Banana_Pants@reddit
You're being played. She knows that learning to drive is the first step out the door. She likes being supported
Ilovethe90sforreal@reddit
👆
Celtic159@reddit
The not driving isn't the issue. 37 and living at home is. Needing therapy to drive is a field full of red flags.
My man, I'd make it really simple for her. She can either act like an adult and help take care of her mother and you, or she can move out and take care of herself.
nhh@reddit
Time to watch the movie Parasite together.
nhh@reddit
After that Failure to Launch
RespondOpposite@reddit
I don’t drive either and never will again, but the driving isn’t the problem. She’s a mooch. How does she survive without so much as an ID? Is she disabled or otherwise incompetent, or is she just lazy and content to be a child forever?
nhh@reddit
My bet is on the last
readzalot1@reddit
It might be time for you and your wife to downsize to a small condo for just the two of you.
Your daughter can walk, bike, bus or take Uber to get around. It has the advantage of being cheaper than owning a car.
Some people don’t get motivated until there is no other option
oracleofnonsense@reddit
My grandma (95) drove one time in her 20s, crashed the car into a tree and never drove again.
She walked or bussed or got a ride her entire life. And know my grandma, I’m certain, saved at least one life. She was not meant to drive a car.
TrainingLow9079@reddit
Neither of my grandmothers ever learned to drive
Successful-Winter237@reddit
Does she work?
Unless she’s disabled she needs to go
TrainingLow9079@reddit
The older I get the more I find out of more and more people who don't drive, so it isn't rare. I find it surprising or perplexing at times but it also seems common enough as to be part of the human condition. Anyway, get her the therapy and lessons and a plan to get her own car.
Cubbance@reddit
Not a GenX issue, really. I'm 51, and I don't drive either. Never learned. I always had an overwhelming dread and anxiety around it. It's certainly been the source of problems and conflicts. With family, with friends, with potential romantic partners. But it's a real anxiety. A real fear. For me it's a phobia. I remember my mom being very exasperated about how I was too afraid to try, and that if I just get over it, I could drive. I told her to cross a room full of squirming, squealing rats to hand me the keys, and I'd learn with zero complaints.
Now, as far as why she doesn't have a State ID, that I don't get. My mom took me to get mine when I was a teen, especially after realizing I wasn't going to learn to drive. Did you guys not do that for her? Of course, that's something you need to keep updating. Luckily, I have a brother and sister who don't consider me a burden and help me out with things like that. Does your stepdaughter have people that can take her to renew her State ID?
And for the figuring out her life part, I don't know. It's a bit late to start setting boundaries, but better late than never. She can figure herself out while still working any old job so that she can get some experience, save some money, pay you rent and utilities if you are charging her, and achieving some independence. It's possible to do all this without driving. I live in Midtown Kansas City. Everything is walking distance. My job, the grocery store, restaurants. If I need to go further (like the airport or train station) then I take an Uber. It's not always the easiest life, but it's certainly attainable.
SouthOrlandoFather@reddit
I don’t think this 37 years old should ever be operating any type of motor vehicle as then putting innocent drivers at risk.
Dentarthurdent73@reddit
I didn't get my license until my late 30s, simply because I didn't need it until then due to living in cities with good public transport.
When I was first learning, and even after getting my licence and buying a car, I definitely felt nervous and anxious about driving. Like I'd have a low-level anxiety even the day before when I knew I had to drive somewhere the next day. This lasted for quite a while honestly, probably not helped by the fact that I still didn't have to drive often.
However, being Gen X, I recognise nervousness and anxiety as normal parts of the emotional breadth of life, so I just forced myself in the car when I had to and got on with it.
Lo and behold, doing it enough removed all of the natural anxiety that comes with doing something new to you that feels like a lot of responsibility. Who would have thought.
Just a story. No actual advice on how to deal with people that have never learned that sometimes you just have to get on with things, even if they make you feel uncomfortable at first.
suzmckooz@reddit
Where do you live? Can she get around without a car?
I live in an area with reliable and significant public transportation. I know a lot of people who have gotten their license later, because they simply didn’t need it.
I personally do not understand because I got mine as soon as I could, and I love driving. But I try and understand others’ limitations.
Mers2000@reddit
Ooo noo, u have one of those🫣 Well u can have her pay for driving classes, just so she can get “comfortable” behind the wheel. Don’t U pay for it!! She wont drive if u pay for it, make her pay for it so she follows thru. Is she paying rent?? If not, she needs to start. Let her know that since her mom retired, u need money and she needs to pay rent. Even if u have to BS!!
Remind her mom that she needs to support this, because we are not going to be around for much longer and her child needs to be self sufficient… and right now she is not!!!
chud3@reddit
Not even having a state ID seems strange.
I have one friend who doesn't drive. He works, so he just uses the bus or pays for cabs. He does have an ID, though.
D05wtt@reddit
No offense but you and your wife have been enabling this behavior for far too long. At some point you 2 have to “cut the cord” with her because you’re holding her back and her development as an adult. A 37yo adult.
I’m gonna tell you a similar story. I used to work with someone in the late ‘90s. At that time, he was in his early to mid 20s. He lived with his overprotective Mom. When we got to know him, he did not know how to cross the street. He didn’t know how to balance a checkbook. And for the purposes of this comment, he didn’t know how to drive a car, which is ok. He was only in his 20s so we didn’t think much of it. We even offered to help him learn. Over time, his mom tried in her own way. She bought him several used cars as incentive to get his license. I’m not making this shit up. Nothing worked. At some point, us friends gave him some friendly banter and made fun of him about it. He laughed along. We used to have to “rock-paper-scissors” it to see who was taking him home after a night of partying. It always ended up being me because no one else wanted to do it. So yes, I was kinda enabling it too. Anyway, fast forward to now…26+ years later. He’s in his 50s now. Still nothing. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was actually on Reddit and reading this now. (If you are, you know who I am.) The point of this anecdote is there are others out there like your stepdaughter and you’re not alone. The answer is to push her out the door and make her live on her own and learn how to get around. That shouldn’t be yours and your wife’s problem anymore. She’s a grownup.
NotUrAvgJoeNAZ@reddit
First, I'm sorry that you're experiencing this right now. You and your wife have been very generous to your step daughter. How does it make you feel, believing that you are not considered an important person in her life? Out of curiosity, has she stated that you are not important to her?
ReindeerNegative4180@reddit
It sounds like everyone needs a reminder that you and your wife will not live forever. What exactly does your stepdaughter expect to do when youre gone?
If you love her, you'll make her figure it out now before it's too late.
Bjorn_Blackmane@reddit
Sounds like she was emotionally stunted. She might be special needs or over coddled her whole life. Its one of those you raised her to be this way to late to change that now
Joeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyy@reddit
I can fix her
Smoking_In_The_90s@reddit
Heeeeeeyyyyyyy! It’s Joeeeeeeeeeeeyy! This fuckin guy over here.
Joeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyy@reddit
Yeah yeah forget about it
GenTrancePlants@reddit
How come a 37 yo woman still lives with you?
Zoinks222@reddit
Can you help her pay for therapy that will help her learn to drive?
calbearlupe@reddit
It’s generational. Her generation doesn’t have interest in driving and would prefer to Uber. Ours couldn’t wait to get our license. A license isn’t required to live.
BTW, calling your wife naive, which doesn’t add anything to the narrative you provided, makes me think your stepdaughter doesn’t want a relationship with her based on how you treat her mother and her. You seem to mean well though if you asked permission to be her dad, so perhaps just look at how you’ve spoke to her in the past. You may have unintentionally alienated her when you meant to be inclusive.
Good luck.
TiredNurse111@reddit
She’s 37, putting her in the middle of the millennial generation. I don’t think this is a generation issue. She’s probably scared to try to learn at this point.
CanIHaveAName84@reddit
She is 37 not 20. She is born around 1989. So high school would have been 2003-2007 ish. Those kids wanted to get out of the house it was before iPhone.
jerryatrix27@reddit
Have you considered that this single 37 year old woman who lives with you might be autistic or otherwise disabled? In which case, forcing her to drive when she is for whatever reason not comfortable doing so is a horrible idea.
socialdeviant620@reddit
It sounds (to me) like the issue isn't just driving, it sounds like her overall lack of independence. And plenty of neurotypal people are still independent
madmelly@reddit
How does she do anything without an ID? She wouldn’t be able to work, travel, go to the doctor, buy alcohol, even get some over the counter prescriptions need ID.
Vprbite@reddit
You need an ID to return stuff at target for goodness sake.
How do you function without an ID?
Consistent-Ad7428@reddit
Suck it up, Buttercup.
Learn to drive or pay for you own Ubers.
Socalwarrior485@reddit
Nobody should be paying for Ubers for a 37 year old unless you’re married to them.
catgirl320@reddit
The priority for SD should be getting an ID. How does one get to age 37 without an ID? And now getting the Real ID needs to happen.
Some people just do not have the temperament or skill to be good drivers. My mom (86f) didn't learn to drive until she was in her 50s. She always was very nervous about it and even with taking professional driving instruction she continued to have severe anxiety. The only reason she finally learned was because the bus system in Ft Myers is absolute trash and she needed to get to her job. Now that she's in her 80s she pretty much only drives if it's ten minutes or less from her home.
If you're still in FL you know how awful so many of the drivers are. Your SD is right to be cautious BUT she needs to figure out transportation solutions. She should be responsible for her transportation needs.
You and your wife need to figure out backup plans if she ends up not being able to drive. Fortunately Uber/Lyft are options if needed. If your wife is disabled then she might qualify for disability services including having a DSP that could drive her to appointments. I wouldn't count on SD to be able to provide any elder care.
Tomatillo-5276@reddit
why would you want to place reliance on someone so obviously inept?
she’s doing a favor by saying she doesn't fucking wanna drive.
Now create an alternate contingency plan, because you know you can’t rely on her.
MorpheusZzzz@reddit
Good point. Make your plan for downsized housing for yourself as well so she is forced to get out and grow up.
Tomatillo-5276@reddit
I mean, honestly, who wants to be driven around by someone that you had to force to learn how to drive and is terrified of driving in the first place?
stromm@reddit
You’ve not one done yourself bad, you’ve also done her bad.
She’s abusing you and her mom. She’s plenty old enough to support herself, out of YOUR home.
Can she get around without you or her mom driving her places?
I bet so.
Will it suck for her?
Likely, but millions do it.
She used her grown up mind to make a grown up decision. Now she needs to fact the reality it comes with a cost.
One that you are paying, but she needs to instead.
MissBailey01@reddit
I have a 41yo cousin, still lives with my aunt, and has never had full-time job with benefits. My aunt has always been his safety net. I did not have that so I had to learn to be self-sufficient. No one has forced your stepdaughter to be an adult. Your wife needs to be an agreement with you if you want any measure of success. The stepdaughter can either take the bus or start using Uber to run her errands or get her to work. Just an idea.
padall@reddit
There's obviously a lot more here to what OP has posted. He's been in her life since she was 8 and dad is not in the picture, and yet somehow she doesn't see him as a father figure?
The driving thing alone is not the issue. I've actually known multiple people who don't drive who are a lot older than OP's daughter. But they all lived independent lives, moved out as young adults, got married, had children, etc. Stepdaughter sounds like she needs therapy, and probably to stop being hounded about needing to drive.
Conscious_Pianist478@reddit
I’m a therapist and we don’t treat “not driving”. If this is phobic, exposure therapy can be done on her own by looking to the steps and hierarchy of exposure. Basically the more she drives, the more she’ll be able to drive. Her fear is stopping her and she doesn’t need therapy to challenge that. If it’s about a clinically diagnosed disorder that’s a different story but that’s not what you’ve said. Good luck!
Ok_Location7161@reddit
You asked her to be your daughter. Carry the weight. No matter what. This is what YOU chose.
Appropriate_Oven_292@reddit
I wouldn’t drive her.
Sudden_Fix_1144@reddit
Yeah…. That got all 4 of mine to have their licenses by the time they were 17
one_bean_hahahaha@reddit
How does she get around now?
My 32 yo son is completely uninterested in driving and that is his choice. He lives in a small enough town that he can walk where he needs to go. If he lived in a larger city, he could take the bus.
CanadianExiled@reddit
I was in your shoes not that long ago. I had married a single mother of 4 Out of 4 only 1 ever had the desire to drive. The daughter simply expected to be chauffeured her whole life and her mother was willing to do that. When my then wife's ex MIL passed away she left her hulking land yacht to my step daughter. This then 28 year old girl expected me to keep and maintain this car as a museum piece in the driveway. I eventually chose to die on the hill that she either learned to drive it or we sold it, she begrudgingly learned to drive. I've been divorced for 5 years now so no clue if she still drives or if the others ever learned. I wanted to drive when I was 7 watching Smokey and the Bandit, younger generations watched Fast and Furious and went "cool but I want to be a passenger prince/ss forever."
emax4@reddit
Get her a bicycle and have her start from there.
Cat2370@reddit
Yeah—it’s bizarre. A lot of my (55F) friends’ kids who are in their early 20s don’t want to drive, and I thought that was weird. Like I learned how to drive when I was 12. I paid for driver’s ed at 15 with my Xmas money. And I’ve had a license since. I couldn’t wait to get a used car, and do my own thing. I seriously don’t get it. 37 is just lunacy.🤦♀️
ArcadiaKing@reddit
My ex used to be scared of driving. I drove him and myself to the hospital while I was in labor! Sometimes, you need to be there for your loved ones instead of taking all the time.
MorpheusZzzz@reddit
Enabling someone is not doing them a favor.
Bogside_Bibliophile@reddit
I’m not sure if you’re agreeing with OP or the stepdaughter.
Barracuda_Recent@reddit
That sounds so frustrating. No ID? She can’t even vote. So if she doesn’t have an ID I am guessing she never went to college and she has never had a job. If she isn’t disabled then I say cut her off completely- but no one ever wants to. My neighbor’s kid is a SAHS (Stay at home son) and it’s been so tough on her. He relies on her for so much even though he is completely capable of working and living on his own. If she kicks him out he will just sleep on the front porch.
mummakush@reddit
Figuring out her life…she’s fucking middle aged!! I’m 53 and don’t drive and I’ve been on my own since I was 17!! Driving is stressful for me and I don’t want to be responsible for hurting another living thing. I don’t depend on others, and in this day and age there are so many options. Sometimes tough love is the only way people figure out their lives!! Good luck to you!
zaphodmonkey@reddit
I think you know the answer just by putting the question here - you might just need all of us to agree and support you. And we DO. Being a stepfather is big commitment and you’re not asking anything insane but she’s got to be the one to make the driving decision. The bigger issue is her moving out and getting her own life sorted.
CitizenChatt@reddit
Individuals can make their own decisions. Only when they are allowed to experience the true consequences that come with those decisions will they be forced to deal with the reality of the situation.
SometimesUnkind@reddit
So, she’s scared to drive. I get that. I don’t trust 99.99% of the other people on the road either.
But what’s going to happen when you two aren’t there anymore? She needs a State ID at the absolute barest of minimums in case (god forbid) a serious emergency comes up or (again, god forbid) you two are gone.
Cinisajoy2@reddit
She does need to get an ID.
ahutapoo@reddit
Exactly. What is her answer to not getting that OP?
Far_Designer_7704@reddit
Both my kids, 22 and 18, have zero interest in driving right now. They have learned to use public transit or bike most places they want to go.
Bogside_Bibliophile@reddit
I don’t think your daughter has to drive unless it inhibits her self reliance and she expects you to taxi her everywhere. However, I do think she should behave like an adult, move out, stop relying on you for support. The days of “figuring out her life” should not have to be under your roof.
Cinisajoy2@reddit
Now let's deal with the other issue. With the attitude in your post, I am not sure I would want to acknowledge you as anything more than mom's f*** buddy. And I am 60.
I get you love her, but the tone of this post says you haven't shown it. You are literally ranting about an adult that isn't comfortable doing what you want her to.
Now also on the driving, you would have a huge expense of extra insurance probably at least $100 a month since she would be a new driver. If you only went places a few times a month Uber or a cab would be cheaper.
GenX-ModTeam@reddit
Poor Behavior - No antagonism, trolling, rage farming, flame wars, juvenility, or any other overly cantankerous commentary and/or behavior will be tolerated.
Wrong_Pen6179@reddit
It’s her choice if she doesn’t want to drive as frustrating as that may be for you. Does she do other things to help around the house or contribute to the bills? How does she get around?
prettyconvincing@reddit
That sucks. I'm sorry you're going through this right now. It's hard supporting someone like an adult child when you are trying to think about retirement.
holidayoffools@reddit
She needs to grow up and start being an adult. Yes it's hard, but she'll have to figure it out as we all do. She needs to start pulling her own weight. If she doesn't consider the person who has supported her and housed her for the last 20 years important, she is ungrateful and spoiled. She needs to get a license and a job. And she needs to appreciate and help you two.
Outrageous_Drag6613@reddit
Agree. OP needs to stop enabling the adult. Heck, when I was a teen my parents told me you get your permit at 15 and a half and license at 16. We aren’t your taxi. I worked hard and made it happen.
Square-Wave5308@reddit
Sometimes all you can do is adjust your own boundaries. Remind her that you and her mother have come challenges, and you can't take extra trips.
My (59F) experience with women learning to drive is that it becomes more challenging as we age. Maturity brings so much more concern with what would happen if we did something wrong and someone was injured. Two sweet friends who didn't learn to drive until their 30s (finances and location finally made it necessary and feasible) took quite a while to learn compared to a 16 year old. Another, who moved to LA from London, grits her teeth and bears it, but will go well out of her way to avoid a left turn.
Astronaut6735@reddit
Is she able to get around for work, fun, etc using other means of transportation (e.g. bus, bicycle, etc) without relying on you or your wife? If so, I don't see the problem. Just because she lives with you shouldn't obligate her to driving duties.
Now if it's getting in the way of her earning money and contributing to the household finances, or putting an unwanted burden on you or your wife, that's different. But in those cases I think the goals should be stated as getting a job and working, and not expecting you or your wife to drive her places. If she can figure that out without driving, great!
Downtown_Anteater_38@reddit
I’m 56, I have some sensory issues that make me sometimes feel unsafe to drive. I sold my car in 2019. This is now the third and longest stint in my adult life without a car (the other two were t years each. That being said, I work from home, live in an urban, walkable neighborhood, get groceries delivered, and do my shopping online. I am usually not bothering others to take me here and there.
I can drive, I just don’t like to, and I won’t if I feel that being behind the wheel could be a danger to myself or others. It is possible to be self sufficient without driving, but you have to set up your life in a way that makes it workable. Relying on mommy is not that way.
Cinisajoy2@reddit
Your reasons are crap. Get freaking delivery. It is less cost a month than driving to the store. If you are worried about doctor visits, call your nearest hospital and get numbers for transportation.
So she has lived with you for the last 20 years. Was she ever in a car accident? Were any of her friends in car accidents?
I get your daughter.
I am 60 and don't drive. If she isn't comfortable than don't force her. That is a good way to get someone hurt or killed. Please don't force the issue unless you want blood on your hands.
slade797@reddit
She has told you what she needs: therapy.
Subject-Chart7371@reddit
Neither of my kids wanted to drive. My oldest (27) hates driving but has come to realize there is no way around it in our rural area. He will drive, but only when he absolutely needs to. He didn't get his license until he was 21. My youngest (15) also has no desire to drive but is starting to realize he will need to. Not sure if he'll get his license this fall when he turns 16 since he has spent most of the last year procrastinating instead of practicing, but he's starting to warm up to it little by little.
Practical-Row-6499@reddit
Maybe she has different support needs and do you really want someone driving who is that fearful and anxious, probably not safe.
ScrewLooseDan@reddit
I say pick the battles you might win. Does it suck? Sure! But, I'm also sure there's more to this than just lack of driving. And, you aren't likely to ever convince her to drive.
Perhaps adjust your plans? Become familar with Uber (presuming ride sharing is available in your area).
Alone_Possession3184@reddit
My 39 year old niece died have her license, but doesn't have a car. She either rides her bike, takes public transportation, or an Uber. Some people just don't like driving.