Imagine being in a boxing ring with no opponent. There you are punching the air, swinging at shadows, motivating yourself, getting all the glory. Now imagine being in a boxing ring with two people, punches coming from the left, jabs from the right, you’re wishing you had eyes in the back of your head, there is no time to relax, you are constantly on guard, never knowing when you might get KOed.
Adventuring solo is one thing, adventuring as a family is another. I am not really suggesting that sailing as a family is like being in a boxing ring but I am suggesting that your chances of being side swiped are greater. Much greater.
There is not one ego to contend with but three! Anyone who has spent any time with an 18 month old knows that this is an ego that knows NO bounds. (Anyone who has spent time with me knows that mine is pretty heathy and take it from me, Ross is not exactly lacking in the ego department.) Add this to a confined space, 10 meter swells and you’ve got a fight of David Tua proportions.
When I say ego I don’t just mean the usual “check me out look at how amazing I am” ego, I mean, what I like to call, the ‘hopes and dreams’ ego.
This ego is about why we are all doing this. What our hopes and dreams are for the journey, what we have to prove to ourselves vs the practical day-to-day living on the ocean.
It bugs the shit out of me when people say they are going to do something and then don’t. I am terrified of becoming like that so before Ross and I started even talking about going sailing I had to know that it had a 90% chance of happening. ( We have 6 weeks to go before we fly to Aruba so fingers crossed. )
I have gallivanted around the world by myself and occasionally with a boyfriend or friend but never with a child. I feel huge responsibility to make sure his ego is feed, he has a great time, hits his developmental milestones, and most importantly stays on the boat in one piece.
So folks out there, what do you think, which is easier solo, duo or trio? Any advice for sailing or travelling with kids? What motivates you to up sticks and head off into the wild blue yonder? What keeps you at home?
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