Parenting

One is How in the world would an 11 year think it's okay to take a family car? Has he ever done anything like this before? Have the parents allowed him to drive before? And if they have, they are complete idiots.

The 14 or 15 year old daughter of some friends took a family car (this is some years back) and decided to drive to Florida from Kansas City. I don't recall the details, but think she might have been planning to meet a boyfriend. It was a couple of days before the parents tracked her down. One of the things the mom was most upset about (and they were upset about the entire episode) was that the daughter had slept in road side rest stops along the way. However, that was what mom herself often did when on long drives. Kids learn from what they see their parents doing. I'm pretty sure the girl didn't yet officially drive, but one down side of automatic transmissions is all you have to do is start the car, put it in drive, and aim it where you want to go.

Among the reasons I continue to drive a stick shift is that some 11 year kid isn't going to be able to drive it.