For months, you have been inquiring about the "rules of the road" as we drive. You know that you have to stop completely at stop signs, that you can't speed, that you sometimes can turn right on red and as of today, that you cannot make a U turn when there is a NO U TURN sign.
We were driving on Ritchie Hwy, a road I have driven on my entire life. We were headed to get the oil changed in the car and as we sat at a stop light near the Jiffy Lube, you noticed a sign ahead. As we discussed how we were going to get to the Jiffy Lube that we had already passed on the other side of the highway, I explained that we were going to do a U turn to get there. While I was explaining this, you noticed the
and you asked what this sign meant. I said "Oh, hmmm, that means we're not allowed to do a U turn here - but we're doing one anyway". And by the way, I had not even noticed the "new" sign until you pointed it out. I have done U turns there for years - this sign had not been there for long. Just then, the light turned and I made an illegal U turn (much to your dismay). As I was rounding the corner, I saw a police car sitting on the other side of the highway and he was pulling out, with lights on, to get us. You couldn't see him because he was behind us but when I told you that the police were behind us and we had to stop, you were scared. Your eyes were as big as saucers. You asked if I was going to jail. Your cheeks were red and your eyes were welled up.
I FELT AWFUL! I had just set a terrible example for you by doing something illegal, even though I knew it was illegal. We saw the sign - YOU (my 4.5 year old in the back seat) pointed it out! I did it anyway.
So, Mr. Police officer came to my window and asked if I knew what he pulled me over for. I lied again and said "No". I was praying that you weren't going to pipe up in the back and say, we saw the no U turn sign back there but she did it anyway. I think you were too scared to open your mouth though....he told me that it was because that was an illegal U turn and there were signs there - how did I not see them? After he took my license and registration back to his car - you were full of questions. I reassured you that we were not going to jail - but that I did something very wrong and I might get a ticket. You needed to know all about that and how much it would cost etc.
It must have been our lucky day because he gave me a warning - no ticket. And he told me to watch for the signs next time. As we sat waiting for him to come back to the car, all of our windows were down - it was a beautiful sunny day. As he walked away from the car for the last time, you promptly said "MOMMY, I TOLD YOU THERE WAS A NO U TURN SIGN THERE". With the windows down, I'm certain he heard your little voice reprimanding me - and I'm sure it gave him a good laugh.
So, we all learned a lesson today. Parents aren't perfect - and there is always a good opportunity to teach your kids a lesson, even if they have to see it the hard way. I am certain that this experience is going to be engrained in you forever now - you were scared and terribly upset that I had done the wrong thing. I guess that's not such a bad thing afterall is it? You are my conscience when I'm driving my Son - now and forever - even at the age of 4.5.
I love you buddy!
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