A Parental Epiphany & Why my child Taylor will be ok in life.

The other evening I was riding in the car with my 16 year old behind the wheel. Being a typical parent, and knowing that she has only had her license for less than a year, I tend to be a bit of a back seat driver. We were headed to a restaurant and as we pulled down Orchard towards Parker road, she maneuvered over into the right lane. 

Knowing we had to go left on Parker, and thinking she was potentially heading in the wrong direction I immediately chimed in - "Hey, you know you need to turn left up here..."  I knew where we needed to go, and was going to impart that wisdom on my daughter.

"I know dad...." she responds, "This right lane turns left on Parker also, and then you are already in the correct lane to go right onto Arapahoe road! - that way I don't have to switch lanes in heavy traffic, through the construction site."

I was 2 chess moves ahead - she was 5. 

I guess it was at that moment that I realized that she knew what she was doing. In fact, she was thinking ahead of me. I should just shut up and allow her to get me there safely. They don't teach you this stuff in parent school. In another two years, we will be empty-nesters. I think I liked it better when she needed me a little bit more. If she applies that kind of logic to the rest of her thought processes - yes, Taylor will do just fine in life.  Me on the other hand?  - I think the jury is still out....