“OMG” she thought as her dad was bringing the boat into the dock after a beautiful fun-filled day on the water. Terror and fear filled her being as she raced below to hide under her blanket. This had become her coping mechanism after many “incidents” while docking.
Julie, not her real name, plugged her ears and tightened her blanket around her now very tense body, so she couldn’t hear her parents yelling at each other during the docking procedure. She was hoping it would be over soon.
Don’t scare your kids!
This was a real story by a real young Julie confessing to us her experience many years later. There is already enough terror and fear in kids’ lives, they don’t need more—especially when on family outings that are supposed to be fun.
Fear
This fear can result in years of therapy and often lasts for a lifetime. It can also lead to MUTINY by family and crew and often does. The next step? Family and crew will come up with any excuse to avoid going boating with you or anyone else. Julie is not alone. Many family members have left boating because of a “scare” event.
The best way to ensure a happy, harmonious boating experience is to prevent the fears!
There is no need for yelling,
swearing, jumping, boat hooks,
bionics, dock helpers, guesswork
or embarrassment.
Like everything else, whether it is golf, driving a car, cooking, piano, sports, anything, getting “the best” lessons and practicing “the best” lessons, will help you turn bad docking experiences into an easy maneuver with happy family and crew who will be asking “when can we go boating again?”
It’s your choice!
Learn to Dock or face family and/or crew mutiny!
