Really Small Children
Mike was exactly right when he wrote that you should set the rules and then stick to them. Our rule was that our sons had to wear their life jackets while on the boat, in the cockpit or on deck, until they were older than 12. This was a great rule and we never had a problem. We still don't have a problem with this rule with their younger cousins. We just told them it was the law, and that was it. When I first saw your article with the words "Small Children" in the title, I was really curious and it brought back many memories of when my boys were young. The oldest was less than one when we started taking him on our boat. It was different, at first, because he had a harness to attach him to the cockpit. When his brother came along, we then had 2 with harnesses. I still keep a photo of this in my office. The oldest one was learning to walk on the boat. This was really funny because the boat would rock slightly and he would loose his balance and his confidence. I had even built a crib out of netting from the fabric store with a 3/4 inch diameter plastic pipe that strecthed from the wooden spindle under the mast (near the "V" berth), to a padeye that I screwed onto the teak near the port side of the hatchway. I never threw the netting away or even removed the pad eye, I guess for sentimental reasons. This has been about 14 years ago, and I guess they kind of take the boat for granted now, but it has been a nice "family" kind of adventure for us for a long time. We cruise with them and I would like to think that this has tought them many things. At least it has tought them what it is like to sail into a new town where they don't know anyone, anchor, dinghy ashore, and still have a good time. We are probably going to take our last cruise across the Chesapeake Bay for the season this coming weekend, then a few day sails, then the winter and plans for next summer. Is it already winter on Lake Michigan? Enjoy your children on your boat. Aldo
