Janet, one other thought. If the sailing part doesn't work, there's nothing keeping you all from exploring the Med on land for a year, maybe with a couple or a few bareboat trips in the midst of it.
Sailing Trepidation! Asking all moms...
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Thank you...this is motivating. And you are totally right - "difficulty when our security and comfort zone is upturned. It seems like the total abandonment of everything one counts on. " is what is getting to me. But the motivator is teaching by example and getting out of the comfort zone.
I definately see the value in the big sail, and we have bareboat chartered a few times in the NW and have taken week long but fairly local 'stay-cations' on the boat. I liked it (much more so than the weekend sail - which is most weekends - when you have to come back exhausted and having to face the Monday morning rat race without having the laundry done, the meals planned, food shopping done, and other things in order). That was the mojo killer for me.
We are committed to going and the timing is right. It is mostly that this is our first big, BIG adventure...and we are both the type to jump right in. I know this will be a great experience, intellectually, but I am having a hard time getting started.
I have learned from your response (and the others on the board) is that I am stalling because I am nervous about lots of things, but it will be OK (more than OK). I will keep that 'teach by example' mantra going...
I definately see the value in the big sail, and we have bareboat chartered a few times in the NW and have taken week long but fairly local 'stay-cations' on the boat. I liked it (much more so than the weekend sail - which is most weekends - when you have to come back exhausted and having to face the Monday morning rat race without having the laundry done, the meals planned, food shopping done, and other things in order). That was the mojo killer for me.
We are committed to going and the timing is right. It is mostly that this is our first big, BIG adventure...and we are both the type to jump right in. I know this will be a great experience, intellectually, but I am having a hard time getting started.
I have learned from your response (and the others on the board) is that I am stalling because I am nervous about lots of things, but it will be OK (more than OK). I will keep that 'teach by example' mantra going...
...or at least to think of it that way! Our visiion is mostly land-exploring, but living aboard. That makes it seem less 'sail' oriented (and therefore, less daunting)
I think you'll be fine. And remember, you can always get a plane ticket back whenever you want. Good luck, and think of us poor souls toiling away for the meager pleasure of day and weekend sails.
Janet I am coming late to this discussion but Nancy (my wife) and I have discussed many times the difference between some of our dreams and reality. The Med is a very big sea. My thought and my wife's is that until and unless you have explored the coasts and rivers of America traveling thousands of miles to a different sea and landscape makes little practical or rational sense. If you want to visit Greece or the Pyramids buy a ticket and put your passport in your pocket and go.
In 72 years I have lived in many places and learned all that I could about those places while I was there. Learn the motivation behind this venture. Sailing the Chesapeake Bay is wonderful but there are wonderful inland seas just 500 miles north called the great lakes. Georgia bay is larger than the Chesapeake.
In 72 years I have lived in many places and learned all that I could about those places while I was there. Learn the motivation behind this venture. Sailing the Chesapeake Bay is wonderful but there are wonderful inland seas just 500 miles north called the great lakes. Georgia bay is larger than the Chesapeake.
I have a some friends that faced the same questions that you are going through now. The couple had two kids about the same age as yours when they decided to just go for it. I wondered if they were going to make it, but they have been gone for almost six years now. Guess that they were having so much fun they lost track of the time. The original plan was for four years or so. Here is their website so you can take a look.
http://www.thevoyageofbluesky.com/
http://www.thevoyageofbluesky.com/
Go for it...
About 14 years ago my wife and I quit our steady jobs of 8-10 years, pulled up stakes, moved to Florida and began knocking on hulls looking for work. All we had was $800 from a pickup we sold before we left and a mortgage on our home. It was the best thing we ever did. We did not foresee all the benefits or difficulties we would face. What we found on our return 2 years later was a whole new batch of opportunities presented to us, our home didn't even miss us. We currently live a dream lifestyle which we were able to accomplish only because we had made the leap.
Do not sweat the details. Your children are old enough, (mine are 7 and 9). Every day will present new lessons and pleasures. Take them one at a time.
When you return, all that you left will still be here, and it won't have changed much. But you will have.
I wish you all the best.
Fair winds.
Mike
About 14 years ago my wife and I quit our steady jobs of 8-10 years, pulled up stakes, moved to Florida and began knocking on hulls looking for work. All we had was $800 from a pickup we sold before we left and a mortgage on our home. It was the best thing we ever did. We did not foresee all the benefits or difficulties we would face. What we found on our return 2 years later was a whole new batch of opportunities presented to us, our home didn't even miss us. We currently live a dream lifestyle which we were able to accomplish only because we had made the leap.
Do not sweat the details. Your children are old enough, (mine are 7 and 9). Every day will present new lessons and pleasures. Take them one at a time.
When you return, all that you left will still be here, and it won't have changed much. But you will have.
I wish you all the best.
Fair winds.
Mike
There is a fine painting on the wall of the YMCA. And the quotation below:
"I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving - we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it - but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor."
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
This is a departure from my earlier post. I have been thinking about my own situation and how life came in like a tsunami and now we are homebound. When does the opportunity come again?
"I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving - we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it - but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor."
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
This is a departure from my earlier post. I have been thinking about my own situation and how life came in like a tsunami and now we are homebound. When does the opportunity come again?
We are committed to going and the timing is right. It is mostly that this is our first big, BIG adventure...and we are both the type to jump right in. I know this will be a great experience, intellectually, but I am having a hard time getting started.
We are going to NZ for a month early this year. Part of what makes the trip so much fun for my wife is the planning. Since we're car touring, she's already been through the maps of the islands, the guide books and has done literally day by say planning. She's not overdone it, and we understand schedules can change, but we have places to stay that are as varied as on a cruise - anchorages vs. marinas compared to hotel roms and apartments, eat out vs eat in...you get the drift.
Point is that part of the entire package for her is planning and she's really good at it and has made it part of the trip for her - like starting early! Me? I look forward to it, but it hasn't happened until I'm in the airplane seat!
But we both go and enjoy it all together.
Replace the trepidation with planning - it'll keep you busy and start the excitement.
We are going to NZ for a month early this year. Part of what makes the trip so much fun for my wife is the planning. Since we're car touring, she's already been through the maps of the islands, the guide books and has done literally day by say planning. She's not overdone it, and we understand schedules can change, but we have places to stay that are as varied as on a cruise - anchorages vs. marinas compared to hotel roms and apartments, eat out vs eat in...you get the drift.
Point is that part of the entire package for her is planning and she's really good at it and has made it part of the trip for her - like starting early! Me? I look forward to it, but it hasn't happened until I'm in the airplane seat!
But we both go and enjoy it all together.Replace the trepidation with planning - it'll keep you busy and start the excitement.
Reading FREYJA's motivating post (cc'd below) reminded me of something:
A couple of years ago, while channel surfing on PBS, I came across an absolutely riveting documentary about a mother and father doing an amazing adventure with their young children on their sailboat. Here's the link to their website with info about getting the DVD and the book: http://www.iceblinksail.com/home.php.
What you are considering undoubtedly must be stressful to contemplate ... and yes maybe a bit (or a lot) scary because of the unknown factor.
BUT ... with good planning, preparation, education, and your own self awareness that you are up for the adventure and it's travails, I would think the odds are that it will work out very positively for all of you.
The upside is that you and your family will have undertaken an incredible accomplishment that very, very few people ever have the opportunity, courage, or the ambition to do.
Anyway, take a look at ICE BLINK. It’s inspiring. And it’s bound to give you a feeling of the demands of an extended period on a sailboat with a young family... and the incredible benefits.
A couple of years ago, while channel surfing on PBS, I came across an absolutely riveting documentary about a mother and father doing an amazing adventure with their young children on their sailboat. Here's the link to their website with info about getting the DVD and the book: http://www.iceblinksail.com/home.php.
What you are considering undoubtedly must be stressful to contemplate ... and yes maybe a bit (or a lot) scary because of the unknown factor.
BUT ... with good planning, preparation, education, and your own self awareness that you are up for the adventure and it's travails, I would think the odds are that it will work out very positively for all of you.
The upside is that you and your family will have undertaken an incredible accomplishment that very, very few people ever have the opportunity, courage, or the ambition to do.
Anyway, take a look at ICE BLINK. It’s inspiring. And it’s bound to give you a feeling of the demands of an extended period on a sailboat with a young family... and the incredible benefits.
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I am on your advice like white on rice. I think it is the way to get started; based on some of the earlier replies, I did some reading yesterday. One thing has led to another and the 'vision' is starting to take place --and the planning will follow. Thanks!
We are committed to going and the timing is right. It is mostly that this is our first big, BIG adventure...and we are both the type to jump right in. I know this will be a great experience, intellectually, but I am having a hard time getting started.
We are going to NZ for a month early this year. Part of what makes the trip so much fun for my wife is the planning. Since we're car touring, she's already been through the maps of the islands, the guide books and has done literally day by say planning. She's not overdone it, and we understand schedules can change, but we have places to stay that are as varied as on a cruise - anchorages vs. marinas compared to hotel roms and apartments, eat out vs eat in...you get the drift.
Point is that part of the entire package for her is planning and she's really good at it and has made it part of the trip for her - like starting early! Me? I look forward to it, but it hasn't happened until I'm in the airplane seat!
Replace the trepidation with planning - it'll keep you busy and start the excitement.
I didn't realize MD is a Southern state! Have a great trip. I'm pretty sure everyone here wants to hear all about your travels.
Since you do internet well, I might suggest that you also plan a blog or online journal of sorts. You can include pictures, facts about the areas and places you visit. Also thoughts and obsevations your boys have about what they see and do. It will help your family stay conected with family and friends at home, and help your boys stay connected with their friends. Further, it will be a memory reminder for ALL of you when the trip is over, and the boys will have it to share with their boys/girls when they have some of their own.
Hi Janet,
We have a website called "Women and Cruising" where women share their cruising experiences. Our latest project has been "12 Questions for 12 Sailing Families". Here is the link: http://www.womenandcruising.com/sailing-families.htm.
You will find in-depth answers from 12 women and their families about all aspects of cruising as a family. Many of them talk about their trepidation as they prepared to go cruising. In addition to reading their stories, you also can follow the links to their own websites and blogs and ask questions directly of the women. There is a wealth of information there - these families really warmed to the topic and shared LOTS of great info and photos. (Note: Famliy #12 is not online yet, so there are 11 families but I am sure you will find LOTS to read.)
I hope this helps you. If you need more information, or have an additional question for these women, email me (kathy@forcruisers.com) and I will pass on your question. Good luck!
all the best,
Kathy Parsons
www.womenandcruising.com
We have a website called "Women and Cruising" where women share their cruising experiences. Our latest project has been "12 Questions for 12 Sailing Families". Here is the link: http://www.womenandcruising.com/sailing-families.htm.
You will find in-depth answers from 12 women and their families about all aspects of cruising as a family. Many of them talk about their trepidation as they prepared to go cruising. In addition to reading their stories, you also can follow the links to their own websites and blogs and ask questions directly of the women. There is a wealth of information there - these families really warmed to the topic and shared LOTS of great info and photos. (Note: Famliy #12 is not online yet, so there are 11 families but I am sure you will find LOTS to read.)
I hope this helps you. If you need more information, or have an additional question for these women, email me (kathy@forcruisers.com) and I will pass on your question. Good luck!
all the best,
Kathy Parsons
www.womenandcruising.com
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