htmills@zoominternet.net wrote:
Maybe a couple of books and crayons/paper?
-----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of John and DesAnne Hippe Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2009 11:30 PM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: Cruising with Kids
Hello All,
In three weeks I will be heading off for a two week cruise around Isle Royale with my two daughters who are 6 and 7 years old. We did a 3 1/2 day shake down cruise a couple of weeks ago and apart from the vomiting, burnt finger, and falling off the dock into the water I would have to say it was a success...
Besides improved safety, my plan for the trip is to have plenty to occupy them and to sail every other day around the island so that there is plenty of time for beach combing and other fun stuff.
Has anyone else sailed on longer cruises with their kids? Any advice?
Respectfully,
John M-15 Jester _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
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Hi John, Have a bag of small line / twine so that the children can learn knotting / and show them how to do some fancy knot work. Eventually our children made themselves belts, necklaces, and had something "that they made themselves" to show off when they were back at school. They had become "old salts". School one-upsmanship. They also had stories to tell about their adventures, and learned geography in the process. Our children in that age never were bored while on the boat. There was alway something new to see. Porpoises, leather turtles; shark fins showing above the water surface; monarch butterflies passing us on their migration south many miles from land; fishing boats trawling; the passing ferries or the tug with a tow of barges; freighters...... and if there was a moment of boredom, they retired to the cabin and stuck their noses into their books (we always had a supply of books for them). If it rained, we sat in the cabin and talked; did handicrafts; and became much more connected to one another than if we had been at home in our house, where everyone could disappear into their own sphere and not be seen for hours. A hand held fishing line that they can drop over the side while at anchor also keeps them busy. You'll be surprised at the games and entertainment the children can create on a small vessel; such as just bouncing on a fender that is tied to the railing. There are also a number of cruising books where the parents had small children, which will give you additional information on what they did to keep their children busy. Connie