WriteThinking
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2008
- Messages
- 6,705
I doubt I ever would have let my kids do something like this.
But then, I come from your average, every-day, and typically very unadventurous, family. There's truly nothing special about us in terms of things like this, and I suspect that's the case with most of us.
That's the perspective most posters are writing from, without knowing the family involved, and it's not an open or broad enough view of the situation.
I simply do not know anyone with this kind of passion for something that could be so potentially dangerous. There are people who have it, and live it, though, and that's the difference we have to consider.
If my kids did have such a passion, and if they had the skills, experience and equipment to possibly make the trip safely, however, and if I trusted them enough to handle the situation, and themselves, as well as they can (think, how amazing would that be, in the cases of most kids?), well, then, you know what?
I might consider letting them do it. I think you'd have an obligation to do so.
There is something to be said for really living life, regardless of the outcome, especially if you are cognizant and understanding of all potential outcomes.
It's plain that Abby Sunderland does, indeed, know how to sail, and she has learned to handle rough seas, and herself. She also knows when she needs help, and isn't afraid, or stupid or so proud not to ask for it if/when the time comes. She also is poised and composed, and smart and mature enough to recognize when that time is at hand.
She has proven all that, so, clearly, she is not just "a child," when it comes to sailing (or, indeed, probably many other things, too), and she is certainly not from just your average, normal family, and you really can't see or understand the situation if you're only looking at and considering it from a "normal" perspective.
But then, I come from your average, every-day, and typically very unadventurous, family. There's truly nothing special about us in terms of things like this, and I suspect that's the case with most of us.
That's the perspective most posters are writing from, without knowing the family involved, and it's not an open or broad enough view of the situation.
I simply do not know anyone with this kind of passion for something that could be so potentially dangerous. There are people who have it, and live it, though, and that's the difference we have to consider.
If my kids did have such a passion, and if they had the skills, experience and equipment to possibly make the trip safely, however, and if I trusted them enough to handle the situation, and themselves, as well as they can (think, how amazing would that be, in the cases of most kids?), well, then, you know what?
I might consider letting them do it. I think you'd have an obligation to do so.
There is something to be said for really living life, regardless of the outcome, especially if you are cognizant and understanding of all potential outcomes.
It's plain that Abby Sunderland does, indeed, know how to sail, and she has learned to handle rough seas, and herself. She also knows when she needs help, and isn't afraid, or stupid or so proud not to ask for it if/when the time comes. She also is poised and composed, and smart and mature enough to recognize when that time is at hand.
She has proven all that, so, clearly, she is not just "a child," when it comes to sailing (or, indeed, probably many other things, too), and she is certainly not from just your average, normal family, and you really can't see or understand the situation if you're only looking at and considering it from a "normal" perspective.
