Sailing With Kids - Go Easy and You May Just Have a First Mate For Life

Every parent who loves to sail wants to share that experience with their kids. They hold thoughts of pulling lines hand in hand with their sons or daughters or fighting that stiff N'oreaster on a beat to an anticipated landfall. But too often, parents push kids too hard or make the sailing experience more of a chore than a fun time. Here's a few tips that may help in keeping your son and/or daughter interested instead of dreading the next sail outing and worst, completely turning away from sailing. 1. First and foremost - lighten up! Sure, sailing safely and efficiently requires one person calling the shots, you the captain, but be mindful of how you give orders. Kids especially are impressionable in the way superiors speak to them. Be understanding yet firm. It's no different than the respectful parent/child relationship you should have at home. Just try not to be a Captain Bligh barking out commands at every turn. 2. Especially for younger kids, have something else for them to do on the boat. Bring games or videos that they can go to below when they get bored on deck. And try not to be aggravated when they do go below and spend their time doing something besides being in the cockpit with you. They are kids. Forcing them to stay out and doing chores on the boat will only feed a bad feeling of "sailing's too much work". 3. For older kids, let them bring a friend along. If they ask to stop sailing for a bit and want to jump off the boat and swim, let them! The majority of kids who are introduced to sailing by their parents aren't enamored with the pure sailing aspect but rather the fun by-products sailing provides like swimming, fishing, laying out in the sun, etc... 4. Have healthy snacks and treats on board and make sure kids are provided the right protection from the weather. Being uncomfortable from a sunburn or freezing from a brisk north wind and spray can really spoil any person's idea of sailing. 5. Let them drive the boat if they want to. Don't force them too but let them. Even if they don't steer perfectly, so what? Nothing makes a kid feel more empowered on a boat than allowing them some helm time. 6. Listen to them when they say they're tired and want to go home. I'm not saying turn the boat around and do what they say but be understanding that they might not be enjoying the trip as much as you. 7. At the end of the day, there are always chores that every hand needs to help with. But go easy on the kids, especially on the first few trips. Forcing them to scrub the decks every time they come out or clean out the head and galley will only stick in their minds as "I might as well have stayed home and cleaned my room". They'll hate every time you suggest a sailing day because all they'll think about is the work. Again, I'm not saying they shouldn't be made to help along with everyone else, just temper the work load especially at first. My main point in all of this is to be cognizant of the fact that your kids are not you. It's great that you're exposing them to sailing and they may just take to it like fish to water but they are kids and interest and attention spans are different than yours - no surprise there I'm sure. But with measured exposure to the sport and understanding of their feelings you may just be cultivating a sailing partner for life, one who will run to the foredeck with pleasure to clear that fouled line without you even telling them. The may just make you proud and be a real asset on the boat as opposed to a whining kid thinking only of themselves. Who knows, it may just help your relationship at home as well!