Kids and watches...

[TriciaT]

I am working on my packing list and am wondering about needing to get waterproof watches for my boys. Two of them are old enough for check-out privledges and I was wondering if they would need a watch to keep track of time.

Are there clocks all over the ship, or do most of you with kids bring watches? If I were to give them a bit of freedom I would like to arrange some meeting times to check in on them. Or they may want to skip an activity at the Lab, check out to go swimming or something, but want to return for another activity or see a movie or something like that.

Or do most people bring two-way radios or something like that to keep track of them?

Trish

 

[abitjaded]

I do not remember a lot of clocks on the ship. Watches might be a good idea. Start looking, though, if your kids' wrists are small, it is a bit tricky to find waterproof watches that will fit. Most of the watches geared to kids are not waterproof. Target does have some women's watches that are waterproof and fit a small wrist and are not obviously feminine. If they tend to lose track of time, get the type that sets a count-down timer and/or alarm, then you could set it to make sure they remember that they are supposed to meet at somewhere at a certain time.

That said, you might want to set some ground rules each day, they can check the schedule and decide where they will be when. We did take radios, but it takes a lot of batteries to keep them on 24-7. Maybe leave notes at the cabin, either on the door or in the cabin each time they change location? Have them write the time and intended activity. Seems there are always a few groups of kids wandering when they shouldn't be, doing less than intelligent things (such as elevator tag-I recognize the game, did some pretty stupid things myself as a kid, and I was a "perfect child" ).

Carla

 

[TriciaT]

Thanks Carla for the tips. Elevator tag...never heard of that one.

I started talking to the boys the other day about manners and behavior on the cruise...hope it helps.

I won't let the 7 and 9 year olds loose, but I was thinking that my almost 12 year old may meet some friends and want a bit of freedom, and that would be ok with me as long as he can handle it in a mature fashion.

It is a tough age, some days they are 12 going on 20 and some days they behave more like 5 year olds. I find nothing more annoying than large groups of wild children (well I guess except large groups of wild adults) and will check on him frequently until I am sure he is behaving properly.

I better start looking for watches. I did not realize that wp were hard to find.

Thanks again!
Trish

 

[lisak1]

You've got me thinking too, Tricia. Kyle's always under some type of supervision between home, school and daycare. This is the first time, I think anyway, that he will be (sort-of) free to come and go. One more thing for me to worry about! I think he'll handle it fine... but i'll need to establish some ground rules going in.

 

[CRenze]

HI,
I myself don't have children but I will be traveling with my SIL and 2 nephews, who I love dearly, but at times are a little rambunctious (the boys) and I read on another board (Passporter) that you need to set ground rules and if the ground rules aren't followed they lose privileges, first being sign in/sign out privileges...I loved that suggestion!! It will definately get their attention if they have to wait for mom or dad to sign them in and out!WAIT

Hope this helps.

Cindy

 

[ducklite]

We bought DS a vibrating watch. You can set it to vibrate or have an audible alarm go off, or both. Works great when in noisy environments, or as a physical cue when he gets so involved that he doesn't repond to an audible cue.

The one we bought was a Vibralite3, it's also water resistant to 50 feet or so, he's worn it swimming many times.

Anne