Comments on: How to best tell our family we are sailing away?

By: Galaxy

Galaxy — Thu, 30 May 2013 15:04:46 +0000

Gwen,
This is one of the many things that we have been thinking about lately. We are now in our the “planning our escape” stage. We have 5 kids and we plan to purchase our boat once the house sells. We havn’t told anyone yet that we are leaving. We figure we will wait until things are more concrete. I’m sure a few will be shocked and freaked out.
5kidsandaboat.com

By: Brenda

Brenda — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:32:26 +0000

Mike and I are still one to two years out, but we have already been laying the ground work for our family. The purchase of our first sailboat, a 16 footer, brought mixed reaction from our family. Most, however, recognized that we have always loved adventure. Over the last couple of years we have upgraded to a 19 footer and last summer we spent 30 nights on the water. As we share our stories with family and friends, they are starting to understand the allure of the sea. They realize that now that the kids are all on their own, we have a great opportunity to take advantage of our new-found freedom. Some are even to the point of asking, “When’s the house going up for sale.” Our kids offer the least resistance – now. A few years ago they weren’t too sure if we were sane or not, but now, as they settle into their own lives, they see that we are not making a rash decision, but are thoughtfully planning for the day when we can throw off the lines. We think they have figured out that we wouldn’t completely abandon them. And besides, it makes it very appealing to come visit Mom and Dad when that means some time on the water for them.

So, I guess our advice is to include family and friends from the beginning. Let them know what you are thinking. Share stories about the fun you are having sailing. Start talking right away – don’t just drop the idea on them at the last minute. Include them in your plans and preparations. Share potential destinations. Take them sailing with you. Let them know you will have the ability to return home if there is a need. Let them know they can come visit (if they can find you). We have started a blog that details our current adventures along with our plans and preparations for cruising. You are welcome to follow our journey at: wrinklesinoursails.blogspot.com

By: Ruth

Ruth — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:29:33 +0000

Gwen is absolutely correct. There are so many ways to keep in touch now when sailing away from home grounds. I personally posted a blog, sent out emails, and snail mail to those who refused or did not have internet. I also paid for a version of skype which allowed me to call my elderly mother and father in law.
We did not know when we left how long we were planning to be gone and did not tell family that little piece of the news.
They all adjusted, parents, kids and etc. They enjoyed our trips vicariously(sp).
Also they should know that in the case of emergencies they will be able to contaqct you via coast guards. Also that you will have money set aside for flights home if need be.
Most people just need to know that you can be reached, and will come if needed.
Fair Winds

By: Carolyn Shearlock

Carolyn Shearlock — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:33:08 +0000

Hopefully, by this time they’ll already have heard you talking about your boat, maybe some shorter trips you’ve taken, and so on — so it’s not too much of a shock. This is sort of related to that incremental approach that Gwen talked about.

We didn’t have parents to tell, but kids . . . and it helped that we’d done charters and land-based trips in far-off places. They all knew what was in our hearts and they knew from past experience that we’d keep in touch.

We also decided to cruise for a year before selling our stuff and getting rid of the apartment where we’d been living. I think this made it easier for the kids to think that we’d still be back — and then by the time we did come back and sell it all, they realized that we were still in touch with them, we were having a great time and this was what we wanted to do with our lives.

We also didn’t present it as a question, as if we were asking if this was okay with them. We simply said this is what we’re doing next. I think that helped, too — we answered questions but didn’t let the decision be revisited.

All that said, every family is different and how you present it has to be based on your knowledge of your family — and you might highlight different things to different people — trying new food, learning a foreign language, the sailing, whatever would appeal to them.