16 yrs old sailing solo

simple288

Not sure if this has been discuss on this board, but I would love to hear other parents thoughts. The link below is an article about a 16 yrs old sailing solo around the world.

https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jvvdfQLj5ldn3iczZTrnitpO6Lkg

As a new parent I question myself what type of parents my husband and I would be. We take risk in our own life... I sky dive, he race cars (in race track). We believe in encouragement but at to what point?

During pregnancy I asked my husband if he would let his child sky dive (something he doesn't do - he's scared of heights). In response, "yes as long as he/she pay it themself". I saw his reasoning... the child would learn how to earn and work hard to reach his/her goal. But as a mother, as the nurturer, what would I do when the time comes when my child/children take such a daring risk. Right now I say. "sure, go ahead, it would be fun!" Yet part of me say, "when the time comes, you are going to be a FREAK-OUT mother". Can't believe little one will be 1 yrs old soon

 Share your thoughts.

GideonsMom

They can do what they want when they move out of the house. Until then I will let them try anything that I think is safe or will be a good experience for them. I would not let my 16 yr old sail solo around the world, but I may go with them while they did the sailing. I would not let my child sky dive, and I would never sky dive. 

emiliemadison

First, I want to emphasize that regardless of my opinions, I hope she is found safely. Aside from the storm, Somali pirates are a very real concern in those waters and even the most experienced crew on larger boats can fall victim. I fear for her, deeply.

Now....ok. I think life is full of risks and many of those risks are WORTH taking. But you have to weigh the risks and decide if they're reasonable for the particular person in that particular situation. 

Is sailing solo around the world a risky aspiration worthy of accomplishing? Absolutely! But I dont think it's an appropriate risk for a 16 year old to take. 

A 16 year old is simply not capable of making the same important snap decisions and judgments as someone who is older, no matter how much "experience" they have.The part of the brain that controls impulse, decision making, reasoning and problem solving does not fully form until the mid-20s. A 16 year old is simply ill-equipped to deal with being ALONE in a situation like this.

The parents were immature and irresponsible in this. A 16 year old might beg and plead and give all the reasons why they should sail around the world solo, but a reasonable parent would counter with all the reasons they should (and will be required to) wait.  I hope the parents foot the bill for this search and rescue. 

I think the parents, who were obviously willing to support this endeavor, should have refused to pay for this endeavor (which they obviously did) until she was older and, at minimum, a legal adult.

mfransdell

This has been all over the news here for a few years now. Her brother did the same thing. Everyone has been saying it's a horrible idea, her parents are idiots. They attempted to let her go out at 14 but were stopped by the coast guard.   (I live nearby).

MaliaMouse

I would 100% let LO go skydiving at 16 (15 even) if he wanted to.  I used to dive and it is incredible.  However I would go with him!  If he wanted to sail around the world, I would let him-but I would again, go with him.  ALONE is not okay!  

Cityplanner

I don't usually get too emotionally involved in news stories, but this one has been haunting me.  You want a kid to push boundaries and pursue their dreams.  But I can't even imagine the thought of my child floating on the ocean alone for months and months at a time when they are still so young.  I hugged DD an extra time tonight in thanks that she was still home and in her bedroom.