Should an EXTREMELY OVER-PROTECTIVE (helicopter) mom let her kids PIRATE CRUISE?

[TruBlu]

So, now I need to know...
Should I dress them like pirates?

 

[shmoogrrrl]

So, now I need to know...
Should I dress them like pirates?

Ack. I didn't think about that either. Probably won't dress my girl like that, although she does have a POTC shirt that I can put on her.

They *DID* tell me when I called to make sure that they wear rubber sole shoes.

 

[Jubilee]

I would when DD is older but I think what age -- it all depends on your kid.

 

[CarolA]

Add me to that special"Mom" list
I called about this the other day, as our boys (6&7) would love this. I was told there were 2 CM's on the boat & 24 open kid slots. I am not comfortable with that ratio. I don't believe one person can handle 12 very excited small children on a boat , well at least I couldn't. Looks like we will take a pass

I was a camp counselor for years. Yes, a well trained adult can deal with 12 kids.

I read these threads and really worry. How do you let your kids go to school? What happens when they get to the age where you have to let go?
As a Girl Scout volunteer do you want to know which kids seem to turn out to be terrors? You got it, those who never had freedom. When they hit the teen years and you CANNOT control them all HECK breaks loose. I think it is because they never learned some basic social skills and/or responsiblities.

And you have to let go at some point. I have taken some Moms out in the hall of my troop meetings and told them either to LEAVE or withdraw their daughter, but I was tired of dealing with them interfering because "Suzy can't do XYZ." Suzy COULD do XYZ, but why should she, Mommy does everything. So if the craft is "slightly hard" she just hikes it over to Mommy who does it for her. If she spills her drink, she just waves Mommy over.....

 

[TruBlu]

I read these threads and really worry. How do you let your kids go to school? What happens when they get to the age where you have to let go?

You don't send them off to school at age 4 on a boat.

But, we did decide to let our boys do this cruise. I think they are going to love it!

 

[JustUsGirls]

yes-you are me and i'm doing it..mine at 4 yrs old (twins)!!!!! they will lov eit

 

[meandtheguys2]

You don't send them off to school at age 4 on a boat.

But, we did decide to let our boys do this cruise. I think they are going to love it!

They will have an absolute blast! Mine did, and still talk about it! Good for you for allowing them to experience this, even though you were concerned!

 

[canron]

lady get a life and let the kids have fun!!!!!!its disney they wonnt sell your kids!!!!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

lady get a life and let the kids have fun!!!!!!its disney they wonnt sell your kids!!!!

Hmm...kind of rude don't you think?

You asked for opinions so here's mine. I would never let my kids go on a boat without me or dh. I let my kids experience plenty but that does not fly with me or dh. They give you a pager sure- but what do you do if they page you? Swim out to the boat? I also do not think 2 adults to 24 small children on a boat is a good ratio. These are pre-schoolers not teens. It may not be the ocean but it is still the water. I think if you are okay with it then go for it but for us it is not even a consideration. Only you can decide what is best for your family.

 

[JustUsGirls]

I know what you mean-i am very protective-but my kids are going and they will be young 4 year olds. 24 kids to 2 teachers-well, they are all not as young as mine and our preschool class has almost that (NYC)--and they ARE all young..here there will be older kids not needing much attn.

These cruises go out numerous times a day for years now and i have yet to read a bad review. If kids were going overboard, we would have read about it in every newspaper.

You have to trust the masses on this one (or not, but i am)

 

[TruBlu]

lady get a life and let the kids have fun!!!!!!its disney they wonnt sell your kids!!!!

Oh you are so sweet! Thanks so much for the wonderful advice. I hadn't thought of getting a life before.

 

[Mommy Poppins]

My DS did it last year about 10 days before he actually turned 4, so he was the yongest one on the boat. Granted, my other two kids were on the boat with him, but I would have had no qualms about letting him go. My DD had done it when she was 5 and then she and her first brother did it together. Last year was the last year my DD could go, so they all went. I know that when my kids went there were 3 adults on the boat, the two women and then th Captain/Boat Driver. There really is no way for a child to fall off of that boat. The kids all had a great time. The adults were well trained and looked after their "pirates" extremely well. Keep in mind that all of the kids on the boat are not 4 years old. You may have 4-8 preschool kids, but the others will be older and need less one-on-one attention from the CMs. I agree that we don't put our kids on a boat to go to kindergarten, but a lot of us do put them on a school bus--no seat belts or even ride with them in a car. Being on a boat with a life vest at Disney seems a little safer to me. But, JMO!

OP - I hope that you are able to get your kids on the pirate cruise. They will have a blast.

 

[DreaminDisney]

It sounds like there are a lot of us "special Moms" out there, LOL
I don't feel so bad anymore.
I don't know if I could let my kids do it at 5 and 7 but I know if I did, they'd probably have a blast.

 

[famfab5]

Oh you are so sweet! Thanks so much for the wonderful advice. I hadn't thought of getting a life before.

 

[Zoom]

Trublu: So what no. did you call to make the reservation and how much does it cost? We're going in May and Oct., DS6 wants to do this, DH said no, but maybe we can convince him for our Oct trip since DS will be 7 then also we'll be staying at Beach Club.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I dont know if I could let my son leave me either. Maybe if he had a brother or someone going with him but alone for 3 hours. Yikes. All my nails would be chewed off. I too am a "special" mom.

 

[Calcio]

"Helicopter Parents"

If you've not heard the term then ask about it of anyone who works at a College or University today. The great, great majority of parents give their children/budding adults/college students the appropriate amount of space to grow by succeeding and yes, failing.

A few, however, pretty much created the title. They make every choice for their child, big and small, during their College years. One of my colleagues was told by a student, "my father thinks I deserve a better grade." His reply was, "okay, I'll call my father and see what he thinks."

The best one I've heard of is a helicopter parent who called little Johnny or Janey's supervisor at work, post college and beginning career, and wanted to come in and speak about his or her most recent performance appraisal at work.

 

[akasleepingbeauty]

I think of myself as a fairly over-protective parent - my soon-to-be 7 y/o is still in a harnessed carseat, my kids have never had a babysitter besides close family members, etc. However, I had no problem sending dd on the pirate cruise at 4 (and ds will be going next month when he turns 4).

I saw the safety measures in place (pontoon boat - nearly impossible to sink or capsize, appropriate-sized life jackets for ALL children at ALL times, 3 crew members on the boat, serious discussion of safety issues with children, buddy system so each child has a "partner" during the cruise, slow speed of the boat, counting of each child by multiple CMs each time they get on and off the boat, etc. etc. etc.). It seemed very safe to me and I worry alot!

DS who will turn 4 just the day before the pirate cruise is likely to be the youngest on board but I trust that the CMs and my own DD will watch over him. As mentioned previously, these are not teen CMs who are just passing the time til they got off work - these are older CMs with a clear understanding of taking care of kids and keeping them safe.

Perhaps those parents who refuse to consider the pirate cruise could visit one of the marinas when this is going on to see just how it is all run - it would give you a chance to view with your own eyes the measures that are taken on EVERY cruise to ensure safety of all the kids on board. Maybe you'd feel completely different about the experience or at least enough to allow your child to have the chance at such a unique and fun experience.

Just had to say to my wonderful friend Craig!

 

[jimenyfan]

Well through me into the group who throws my kids to the wolves. But seriously, last year DS 8 went on the pirate cruise and had a great time. First off the use the buddy system with the kids so your children can be together, next they count the kids and give each parent a pager just in case. Im sure if your kids have any medical needs the staff is trained for that. I believe there were 3 adults on the cruise. When I went to pick up DS all the kids were singing happily.

 

[Calcio]

Hello Rhonda!!

From what you've told me of your wonderful son, is your worry more that the boat will sink when he is on it, or that he will single handedly cause the boat to sink?

I know how much we parents all want to keep or kids away from serious harm, with justification. Something like this, well supervised, seems a great way to give a young lady or gentleman the chance to feel like they are flying without a net, when in fact, they have several nets below them.