KidsBgon Posted September 10, 2007 #26 Share Posted September 10, 2007 They have babaysitting in the cabins for parents who want to go out late and kids can stay late at OA club on RC. Now I don't pay the cabin sitter I pay my responsible teenagers to sit for a couple of hours with my 3 yr old. They are very responsible and they like the extra spending cash :) Hopefully that is what that couple did when they tucked the child in at night???? I worked for children services for 8 yrs and since it is in international waters the cruiseline would take responsibility. Even so DCF would not shelter the parents but first give education and a warning.... that usually works and rember that most parents DO love their children ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsBgon Posted September 10, 2007 #27 Share Posted September 10, 2007 So, at what age do you think someone is old enough to not be attended on a cruise for a short period of time? 13, 14? 18? I don't have a particular age in mind, I'm just curious as to what people think. They can drive at age 16. They go away to college at 18 or so. I've seen postings where parents wouldn't let their 17 year olds alone for any length of time. At some point they do need to learn to take care of themselves in all situations, leading up to taking care of themselves full time. I have 5 kids ages 3-15. Most of the day they are withus as it is family time. They love eating dinner with us too and attending to the show. Then for about 2 hrs the 3 older ones (12, 14, 15) stay together usually in the teen center playing games until I go gather them up late at night. That is their choice and if the rule is broken as--- I ran into my son once who was roaming with a friend--he was immediately escorted to his cabin for bed time and went to bed early the next night. I took his sea pass card and talked with the cabin steward about it. He was an angel the rest of the week ;) The younger ones 3 and 8 stay in their group and have to be signed out. They usualy fall asleep there.... We do random checks on the teens and have walkie talkies but they don't always beep through on the ship. The buddy system works well and the parents have to be consitent and follow through with consequences! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsBgon Posted September 10, 2007 #28 Share Posted September 10, 2007 So, at what age do you think someone is old enough to not be attended on a cruise for a short period of time? 13, 14? 18? I don't have a particular age in mind, I'm just curious as to what people think. They can drive at age 16. They go away to college at 18 or so. I've seen postings where parents wouldn't let their 17 year olds alone for any length of time. At some point they do need to learn to take care of themselves in all situations, leading up to taking care of themselves full time. I have 5 kids ages 3-15. Most of the day they are withus as it is family time. They love eating dinner with us too and attending to the show. Then for about 2 hrs the 3 older ones (12, 14, 15) stay together usually in the teen center playing games until I go gather them up late at night. That is their choice and if the rule is broken as--- I ran into my son once who was roaming with a friend--he was immediately escorted to his cabin for bed time and went to bed early the next night. I took his sea pass card and talked with the cabin steward about it. He was an angel the rest of the week ;) The younger ones 3 and 8 stay in their group and have to be signed out. They usualy fall asleep there.... We do random checks on the teens and have walkie talkies but they don't always beep through on the ship. The buddy system works well and the parents have to be consitent and follow through with consequences! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtalum Posted September 10, 2007 #29 Share Posted September 10, 2007 Leaving a child that young (less than say 7 or 8 years old) alone in the cabin is so incredibly irresponsible that the thought of it literally makes me ill... Why do so many people care so little for their children? Once they're older and can be taught some emergency procedures (like calling mom and dad on the phone) it's one thing. But leaving them alone that young is just disgusting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onessa Posted September 13, 2007 #30 Share Posted September 13, 2007 So, at what age do you think someone is old enough to not be attended on a cruise for a short period of time? 13, 14? 18? I don't have a particular age in mind, I'm just curious as to what people think. They can drive at age 16. They go away to college at 18 or so. I've seen postings where parents wouldn't let their 17 year olds alone for any length of time. At some point they do need to learn to take care of themselves in all situations, leading up to taking care of themselves full time. I don't know about on a cruise. One does need to find opportunities for kids to be able to safetly exercise independence as they grow older. Our DD (now very nearly 12YO), can go to restroom with a friend when we are out at a movie, restaurant or mall (when I know where they are going!). Again, with a friend, in a store they can look at CDs while I'm down a few aisles getting toothpaste. They know they HAVE to stay together. This past summer, she had a 15YO babysitter. I let them have quite a bit of independence - but they needed to be together at all times and had specific times when they had to check in with me. Also while on vacation in my husband's home town (150 full-time residents), she and her cousin (same age) could ask permission to go to the store, the coffee shop or the beach -- they had a litany of rules and a time when I expected them back at the cabin. Of course EVERYONE in town knew them so I'd even get the occassional call ("Maddy wants another hot chocolate, so I thought I'd call and make sure that was ok" -- sometimes it's HARD to give a child some independence! :D ) I look for situations that I can control where I can have my daughter do things that will help her gradually adjust to being more independent so that she can make good decisions. I don't know that I'll be too confident letting her have too much independence on our upcoming cruise, but I will look for some opportunities when it may be warrented. It has to be gradual, the kid has to demonstrate each step of the way that they "get" it, and it must be controllable. A good set of rules, some preplanning, and some preparation (role playing through situations) is a must. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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