We used to call it hitchhiking; now we call it "ridesharing." Instead of sticking out our thumb, now we have an app. Either way you look at is, we're still accepting rides from strangers.

Growing up, I was always told, I was not allowed to accept a ride from someone my parental figure did not know, did not approve of. I remember a handful of friends I had permission to ride with. I remember the punishments I endured if I broke those rules.

Fast forward to today. As a single mother with two kids of my own. For a multitude of reasons, I have yet to teach either of my children how to drive. This worked out alright, for the most part, for my daughter, she has friends or a husband that can take her where ever she needs and then, she has me.

My son has had it a little rougher. He was fine using his bike as his main source of transportation until he was hit. That was a moment that forever changed his life. He had minor physical damage. I wish I had understood what shock was at the time, he suffered extreme shock and fought through it without medical intervention. The cascade effect has been ongoing for years now.

The PTSD made it impossible to teach him to drive at the time, so we adapted. It also made riding a bike harder. But in my family, we adapt. He ended up quitting the job he had been riding too. Got a job closer to home that he could walk to. We go the medical help he needed to address the PSDT and eventually landed a job that brings him money and satisfaction.

He still needed to get to work.

He adapted. He started using Uber and Lift when friends or I were unavailable. He had money; he just factored the cost into his budget.

The funny thing about this is, he has bought and sold two cars so far, and never had his license. He past the written portion of the driver's test three times now, and never done the behind the wheel test. We're hopeful, this time he will.

He has friends taking him out to practice driving. He's looking for another car to purchase. I think we may finally get over the hump.

How did we get here though? How did my generation go from, never accept a ride from a stranger to, being the stranger giving rides and allowing our children to accept them?

Honestly, I have only used an Uber once. I was out of town on a business trip. We arrived together, but I was leaving early. My boss ordered an Uber for me. There was some level of reassurance that I would be safe since the order was under a man's name and he put me in the car. I was still nervous until I arrived safely at the airport.

I don't know that I will ever do that again. I've seen too many stories. I'm a woman. I know the risk that brings in this life. I've lived through many of them. For now, I just hold my breath every time my son catches a ride. It's a different world. I guess I can't tell him not to accept rides from strangers.