The Kaufman's

Nov 26, 2008
1,970
Endeavour 42 Cruisin
25
So why take sub 3 year olds anywhere? Disneyworld, camping, cruiseship, christmas. Stay home till they're 4
 
Mar 1, 2012
2,182
1961 Rhodes Meridian 25 Texas coast
I'm gonna listen to Zeehag on this til more info comes out. She had at least crossed paths with the husband.

Lots of bits and pieces of the whole story don't add up anymore, as things are coming out.

Sad, very sad that they lost their home.

Oh and my youngest could steer a compass course when he was 3- had too - wasn't big enough to see over the cabin. And he does most assuredly remember the times on the boat.. He's 46 now.
 
Aug 20, 2010
1,399
Oday 27 Oak Orchard
25
So why take sub 3 year olds anywhere? Disneyworld, camping, cruiseship, christmas. Stay home till they're 4
More than likely the parents belief that their child will have some memorable experience. It comes down to the human ability to appreciate and apply knowledge. The human brain doesn't fully mature until about the age of 25. That is scientific fact and not opinion. I am lucky to have a budding neurosurgeon on my hands who has studied neuroscience quite extensively. So what does a child understand of the implications regarding any endeavor? Answer, not much. It will be much later that they will appreciate or damn the earlier experiences. Prior to 3 they will in all probability respond with only the most basic of emotions and not much understanding.
 
Nov 26, 2008
1,970
Endeavour 42 Cruisin
Just because the child wont remember details then all families should lock down till all kids are 3?
 
Mar 30, 2013
700
Allied Seawind MK II 32' Oologah Lake, Oklahoma
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Theodore Roosevelt
 

Gunni

.
Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
Are we really having a hard time discerning the differences between a 3,000 mile open ocean passage with a 1 y.o. on a sailboat with mom and dad...and "Disneyworld, camping, cruiseship, christmas"?
 
Nov 26, 2008
1,970
Endeavour 42 Cruisin
From the standpoint of the sub 3 year old not appreciating the trip and the parents doing it for themselves.
 

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
5,072
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
From the standpoint of the sub 3 year old not appreciating the trip and the parents doing it for themselves.
So what you are saying here is that once I have a child, I should give up all my dreams and asperations and become an automaton which supplies only the needs of that child? That once I have a child my whole existence is for and about that child?
By the way, my child had an incredible upbringing on a 9.5 year circumnavigation, got a Swiss education and graduated from RISD, one of the better design schools in the nation, if not the world. She spoke 3 languages fluently by the time she was 16. And you want to call me selfish? Please, be my guest.
 
Nov 26, 2008
1,970
Endeavour 42 Cruisin
Here is something to reflect on. At what age does a child develop self awareness and thereby remember? I haven't met anyone who remembers anything at 3 years or less. This leads me to the question who were they doing this for. Only one answer, themselves .
I take this has a negative meaning towards the parents
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,348
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
This was used when Nixon ("I am NOT a crook!) left office. I've always disliked this quote ever since.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Theodore Roosevelt
 

Joe

.
Jun 1, 2004
8,319
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
For all you critics of spending money on rescue operations because the victim made a poor decision: Shame on You.
 

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
5,072
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
For all you critics of spending money on rescue operations because the victim made a poor decision: Shame on You.
I don't think it's really about the money, half as much as it is about asking someone else to risk his/her life because you were out playing on your pleasure craft, and things went a bit beyond what you'd planned for. I'm not speaking about this case because it involves a child, who had no choice but to go, but all those sailors who venture forth unprepared, expecting to cash in their "get out of trouble free" card, because it's so easy and free.
 
Sep 25, 2008
544
Bristol 43.3 Perth Amboy
Interesting thread. I guess it boils down to what is an acceptable risk that a parent can choose to expose minor children too before it is considered abusive? Little kids get sick, so do big kids and adults. Given the ability to communicate and use telemedicine services, there are more options in preparing for long distance voyaging. I'm a physician, and having an infant on that kind of trip is not a choice I'd make. Thankfully we still have some freedom to choose what we do in this world. When I sail offshore, I carry enough medical gear to resemble a mini icu! My friends kid me that I am dying to do an appendectomy at sea!
 
May 4, 2005
4,062
Macgregor 26d Ft Lauderdale, Fl
Wife's blog is revealing... supports Zhags opinion they made up some stuff to get off.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at 19:22 I think this may be the stupidest thing we have ever done. ‘Stupid’ is the number one word that resonates throughout my day as we tick the slow minutes away to the kids’ bed times each night. ‘Why am I doing this?’ ‘What the **** was I thinking?’ ‘Why did we pick such a hard way of traveling?’ Stupid.
.....
Like I said, boring. Exhausting, draining, repetitive. I am dreaming of long runs, my back soaked from the sweat and exertion, my feet curving around the shape of sand on the beach I’m running on. I’m dreaming of sweet coconut water. I’m dreaming of French baguettes. I’m dreaming of family hikes up scenic trails. Day 11 done. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.





http://www.therebelheart.com/charlottes-blog/
 
Dec 30, 2009
680
jeanneau 38 gin fizz sloop Summer- Keyport Yacht Club, Raritan Bay, NJ, Winter Viking Marina Verplanck, NY
If anyone is an ass*ole here its the PRESS ON EVERY LEVEL, they are good for absolutly nothing..they can't even get the weather half right....all they do is pound the drums for only the negative news period..oops did I say that outloud.....lets not forget whwer we come from, this is a country where there is no place far enough or remote to go and explore, all our ancestors lived great lives, without so mush as a cabin they built and fire they created, had kids in the back room, selfschooled, ooh my god no electricity or apps...wake up America.. sorry for the rant.... Red
 
Mar 1, 2012
2,182
1961 Rhodes Meridian 25 Texas coast
Wife's blog is revealing... supports Zhags opinion they made up some stuff to get off.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at 19:22 I think this may be the stupidest thing we have ever done. ‘Stupid’ is the number one word that resonates throughout my day as we tick the slow minutes away to the kids’ bed times each night. ‘Why am I doing this?’ ‘What the **** was I thinking?’ ‘Why did we pick such a hard way of traveling?’ Stupid.
.....
Like I said, boring. Exhausting, draining, repetitive. I am dreaming of long runs, my back soaked from the sweat and exertion, my feet curving around the shape of sand on the beach I’m running on. I’m dreaming of sweet coconut water. I’m dreaming of French baguettes. I’m dreaming of family hikes up scenic trails. Day 11 done. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.





http://www.therebelheart.com/charlottes-blog/
Yes but- the very last few lines in that blog read this way-

"It’s a massive part of our world that is wildly alive, that is in danger, that is changing every day, and that may be vastly different by the time our daughters are grown. Ultimately, how many people will ever experience the feeling of being surrounded by waves and wind, as close as an arm’s reach away from them, for weeks and weeks? It is a difficult, self-imposed isolation that is completely worth it. Okay, maybe still a tiny bit stupid, but worth it."

So it was in fact an introspective sort of entry, ending with-"Okay, maybe still a tiny bit stupid, but worth it."
 
Oct 26, 2008
6,432
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
It's fair to be critical ...

These quotes we hear and the pioneer spirit of America were an entirely different context. In the past, people set off for the outer territories to find a place for their livelihood. They were voyagers and homesteaders, who cut their ties basically for numerous reasons, including adventure, to earn their fortune, and often to escape oppression. Hardships were part of the bargain, and that made for a special breed of people who took on the challenge.

Even Teddy's quote and Mark Twain's quote don't really have the same relevance to this situation. Their quotes could more aptly be applied to brave people who cut their ties with employment and enter the more treacherous waters of business ownership and becoming responsible for employing others.

These people, and, I think, many others who cast away their ties to shore, do it for a kind of escape to permanent vacation. Underlying their motivation in many cases, is a desire for a "toes in the sand, drink in my hand" type lifestyle. I think that's fine and I don't have a problem with anybody who believes they've done enough and are ready to live a more simplistic life. But let's not kid ourselves ... they are not really seeking a lifestyle that cuts them off from a safety net and they aren't really anticipating a life of hardship ... not in the same way that pioneers did. They seek assistance when needed, and I don't blame them. They don't really have an expectation that they are entering a wilderness wherein there is no recourse other than complete and utter self-reliance, where death is the result of failure.

But they do find out that the ocean is probably less forgiving than anticipated. Charlotte's blog makes it clear that they didn't anticipate the intense pressure to maintain constant vigilance over their children. She describes that even the simplest tasks, such as cooking and washing-up required coordinated efforts so that there isn't an instant when the children could be pitched across the boat resulting in broken bones or teeth. It doesn't sound like they were prepared for that.

They want to seek adventure and cut away their mainland ties while raising their family ... that's fine and their choice. Somebody already said that there are plenty of dangers right in our backyards, so this type of adventure isn't necessarily less responsible. But I also don't have a notion that they are particularly noble for not succumbing to the everyday, hum-drum life that others live (in contact with family, close-knit communities, and responsible jobs). We all make our choices and do the best we can to live with them and be happy.
 
Jul 28, 2010
914
Boston Whaler Montauk New Orleans
But let's not kid ourselves ... they are not really seeking a lifestyle that cuts them off from a safety net and they aren't really anticipating a life of hardship ... not in the same way that pioneers did. They seek assistance when needed, and I don't blame them. They don't really have an expectation that they are entering a wilderness wherein there is no recourse other than complete and utter self-reliance, where death is the result of failure.

But they do find out that the ocean is probably less forgiving than anticipated. Charlotte's blog makes it clear that they didn't anticipate the intense pressure to maintain constant vigilance over their children. She describes that even the simplest tasks, such as cooking and washing-up required coordinated efforts so that there isn't an instant when the children could be pitched across the boat resulting in broken bones or teeth. It doesn't sound like they were prepared for that.

They want to seek adventure and cut away their mainland ties while raising their family ... that's fine and their choice. Somebody already said that there are plenty of dangers right in our backyards, so this type of adventure isn't necessarily less responsible.
Well-said, Scott. But I do really like what you said at the end:

But I also don't have a notion that they are particularly noble for not succumbing to the everyday, hum-drum life that others live (in contact with family, close-knit communities, and responsible jobs). We all make our choices and do the best we can to live with them and be happy.