BTW Oz... what were your rules regarding safety aboard with your children
when they were pre-school and sailing with you?



OzOne wrote:
Same.
Once out of the cockpit in fair weather, PFD's.
Foul weather PFD in the cockpit
Real bad stuff...cabin full stop.
Night, PFD and harness no matter what.


Those are good rules.
One of the things that kids have to learn (and the sooner
the better) is that rules are rules... doesn't matter
whether you like it. Failure to teach this leads to misery
for both parents & kids.

DSK

Put the PFD on Thomas and tell him what a good time you're going to have
out there in the cockpit..if he squawks about the PFD say "ohoh, time to
go below" and take off the PFD and place him below....if he wants back
up put the PFD back on and say more about the fun in the cockpit...soon
as he squawks, repeat the catch phrase "ohoh, time to go below" and take
him there sans PFD...repeat this for as long as it takes...he is at an
excellent age to begin using Love and Logic techniques...if you start
now, you will never have to argue about disciplinary actions...when you
say the catch phrase, amke sure you use a light or matter-of-fact voice
and not a stern grumpy sound...you don't want to appear angry or upset,