Mary Ann, Yes that is exactly what I need exposure therapy. Anyway,
I've been though this before. Years ago when this all started my Mom
was a great support and little by little I started driving again by
myself.

So I know the tools needed Thank God ;)

However; that was years ago and since I have gone through setbacks.
Frist when my Mom got sick then when she passed in 1998. Next I got
thryoid cancer in 1999. I did marry a wonderful man in 2000. We had
a sitll born in nov 2000 so not only did I have anxiety but now
depression. However; good news that passed in a year and I have 2
wonderful children a 2 year old son and a 5 year old daughter.

Geesh my husband's career moved us here to MD which is great because
my driving skills really went down when we were moved to NYC due to
his work. I'm not a city driver. Plus moving is always a stressor.

So to present day. We haven't registered our Daughter for
kindergarten cause I need my husband to take us. I'm so sick of this
and I know I have to do it myself. So last week I started practicing
driving to her school and around our neighborhood a bit.

Support could I use it oh yeahhhhhhhh. My husband is a great guy but
he just doesn't get it. When we lived in NYC he didn't like me to
drive the car. Then I started taking the car out last week and on
friday my Daughter and Husband started martial arts classes. I told
him (because I know asking doesn't work) That he was going to drive
to the class but I was driving home. So after running around with a
2 yr old in a stip mall parking lot for over an hour and half so my
daughter could take her class and then he could take his I put the
kids in the car and changed the cd to something relaxing for me.

He got out of his class and it was horrible. Started complaining not
enough rom in the passenger seat. Then he noticed the cd I tok out
had a cover that was cracked. I said I know that is how I found it
and he stated "you mean I bought it broke" 3 Times I felt like I had
to defend myself and this was a new route for me and about 20 mins to
get home.
Lastly, he has a GPS but I told him I wanted to take this one highway
home cause her kindergarten if off that road. I knew how to get back
to the highway and he started to argue that the GPS was giving us the
shortest route LOL. Normally that would make me feel better but I
wanted the same route.
Long story short I yelled half the way home and I knew I had to
change things. I know I have to do the changes by myself. So
actually I just got back from driving again towards the Kindergarten
with the 2 kids. I just have a little over 2 more blocks to go.

Of course as you stated it doesn't just end there I still have get
into the school and blah blah blah. I figure I'll handle that as it
comes. For now my goal is to drive as much as possible.

Also today was a bit stressful because my husband called me this
afternoon to let me know he will be going to NYC for a convention
Thurs till Thurs. We still have our house back there but no computer
hookup, hardly any toys and if we choose to go with him I'll have no
car because he will take it to the convention. Honestly I never
liked that house in summer, lots of people, noise, this loud homeless
person hangs out on our corner, guys sit on our sidewalk and play
cards. We have a yard well it is a cement lot but I never really
liked going out there cause of all the noise and people.

Here I'll have the car, a nice back yard for the kids, the computer,
and really I need to keep practicing getting to that school. Of
course when he travels it is anxiety producing for me but usually it
is just 4 or 5 days and not over the weekend. By day 4 I have had it
taking care of 2 kids and my Daughter missing her Daddy by day 3.

UGHHHHHHHHH when he called he even said he should have asked me over
the weekend. He said he would take us to this hotel we love to go to
in NJ with an indooor pool next thurs till sunday after the
conference. LOL but I said hey take us anyway after you drive back
here cause I don't think I want to miss a week of practicing and be
isolated in NY.

So the good news I went out for a drive again. Keep making it to the
same spot. I figure I'm doing well considering I haven't driven in
ages. I know I have to keep doing it over and over again. I'm
planning to take another trip later today.

In short that is why I joined the group because I know that someone
who has had to get out there and drive again realizes that even going
6 tenths of a mile is a big deal for some of us. I remember a time
just sitting in the driveway would freak me out. So that is why I'm
here I want to set a goal of getting to her school in 2 weeks.
Sorry this post is so long. Thanks for responding.

Mimi