My childhood was spent in the back of a VW bug when mobile. I learned to drive a stick when I could work the clutch reliably, I think I was 12 when I was allowed to drive the car around the yard and circular driveway alone. My first automatic experience was the BlueBird drivers ed car. The teacher laughed as i went for the nonexisting parking brake and later hit the brakes by accident when going for the clutch w/ my left foot. Got my driver's license in a Bug too. Most of my vehicles have been sticks and this is the first in a long time to have an Automatic. I like the CVT a lot, but still miss running a car through the gears and listening to an engine sing while revving...that's the thing most engines do when not trying for 60 mpg
Anyway...my childhood was great! The college and adult years are a story for another thread.