Questions

We have had lots of questions from family and friends. Our children told their friends and classmates, at the end of last year, that they wouldn’t be back the next year (because we were going to go sail the world). No one believed them. Then, when they realized the house was for sale, we were moving, the kids weren’t coming back this year, they started asking wtf? People were freaking out. I had one mother actually tell me her daughter NEEDED her friend (my daughter). I had a mother of one of my son's friends calling frantically to find out what it would mean for her son. I didn't worry too much about calls and texts like this. Children's friends change on a yearly basis. With my kids out of school for the year before we left, their kids would fill those spots along the way. Not to say they wouldn't miss my kids, but they weren't going to be traumatized by their absence either.

What about my son’s baseball? My response: He quit. I know, after all those years, he gave it up (something he was really good at). But it was his decision, and he was adamant about not returning.

What about my son’s talent in orchestra? My response: Yes, he's extremely talented with his bass, but it's not like he had plans of doing that as a life career. It’ll still be there if that’s what he wants when we come back. He's fine with putting it on the back burner and filling that spot with YouTube videos of 2Cellos. In the meantime he can take his guitar with him. People always enjoy listening to good music around a beach campfire!

What about my daughter’s volleyball? My response: She quit to spend more time in gymnastics. She only played volleyball to hang out with friends anyway. As her friends started moving to competitive, the sport lost its fun for her. She was good enough to go competitive like her friends, but that's not what she wanted. She only wanted to play to have fun and hang out. Think about the fun she'll have playing beach volleyball!

What about my daughter's gymnastics? My response: It’ll still be there, if she wants it, when we return. She has zero plans to compete, she just likes being able to do cartwheels, roundoffs, flips, beams, and turning herself into a pretzel. In the meantime, she can practice on a beach as easily as in class.

What about my children's education? My response: It’s taken care of. The children have a rigorous curriculum, through an accredited private school, that directly works with colleges. It's not really homeschooling, so much as distance learning. We aren't registered, nor did we have to fill out paperwork, for homeschooling. They 'transferred' from their current schools to their private school (which has a real campus in Vermont). They won't have to get up early and waste at least a half of a day in regular school. There won't be any wasted time on STAAR/TAKS tests. They don't have to do any 'regular testing' along the way, by the state, to 'prove' they are learning. They have regular curriculum (that has normal class tests), with regular teachers that grade their work and keep up with their transcripts. The only difference is they do the work at home, instead of at the campus. They will even get AP courses through John Hopkins University if they want it. Most public school's AP courses are no longer getting recognized by the colleges, because they aren't really getting taught at that level. The AP courses being offered to my children are directly through a university. The credit will apply after they pass at the end of the term. They still get access to all the technical and science courses as well. The education they’re going to get will be better than what they would have gotten if we stayed. They can even have a normal middle school and high school graduation if they want it (we'll just have to travel to the actual school in Vermont to walk across stage). Yes, they get real diplomas, not testing for a GED at the end of the day. It's as if they are actually attending a private school. If, after we're done traveling, they want to return to regular school, they can transfer right back in. No testing for placement or worrying that credits won't transfer. A lot of time and thought went into this. Trust me, their education is taken care of.

What about my children's friends, won't they miss them? My response: Of course they will miss their friends. But the children have no reservations about doing this. They want to go. And, well, lets see, phone calls, facetime, texting, emails, etc. True friends will stay connected no matter the distance.

What about socialization for the kids on the boat? Won't it be lonely, just the four of you, on the boat all day every day? My response: It's not like you imagine. We won't be out there, all day every day, surrounded by nothing but water, with just each other to talk to. There are lots of families out doing this. I mean LOTS. We have being reading blog upon blog of families that have been doing this for years, and some that just started recently. Typically you sail to a destination, put out anchor, and hang there for a few months (or several if you want). While you travel from place to place, you realize you keep seeing the same boat that also has kids on board. Your kids play with their kids, go to shore together, play with the locals. After you've been doing it awhile, the kids will know lots of other kids sailing just like we are. They will form bonds at sea just like they do on land. Socialization will take care of itself. More importantly though, is my children will no longer be subject to the 'mistaken' socialization that happens in regular school. It's almost impossible for a teen to be themselves without scrutiny these days. Gone will be the worry over the right clothes, the kind of stuff you have, what you look like, what sport you play, or how smart you are. I've seen my kids, this past six weeks alone, become more of themselves than ever. Their concern for the crap that kids think are so important (that really have zero importance in real life) is disappearing. My children are becoming more and more confident as the day goes by, and will only become more so while traveling.

What if someone gets injured or sick? My response: Of course there will be injuries and illness. But we aren't leaving civilization for goodness sake. There will still be doctors, hospitals, and dentists for that matter. The sailing community even has forums for you to find good ones. Even better, how many times has your child gotten an ear infection, strep, sinus infection, etc? In the U.S. that means a trip to the doctor just to get a prescription (even though you know what your child is suffering from). Outside the U.S., you can get antibiotics over the counter at a fraction of the cost. I will only have to see doctors or hospitals in extreme cases, unlike here.  If you like that dentist that cleans your teeth every six months and can't imagine using someone else, then simply travel back to that dentist every six months. Nothing says you have to never see them again. We can plan a yearly trip back for all of our well visits with the doctors we've been seeing for years. Our schedule is flexible to accommodate stuff like that. As for the occasional broken bone, or needed stitches, there will be decent doctors and hospitals for that. As a mother, my children's health is of prime concern. A lot of thought went into this one too.

What about phones calls and internet? How will you be able to stay in touch with family and friends? My response: Again, people, we are not leaving civilization. Do you really think, as technologically bound as we are, that we'd just leave all that behind? No, obviously we won't. There may be times while traveling to a new destination, for a day or two, we could be without cell phone service or internet. But in general, we will hook into whatever cell tower or wifi is offered wherever we go. We're still looking into all the available options out there, but by the time we go, we'll have decided. We will have a satellite phone, no matter what, for emergencies and location spotting. We aren't just going to disappear and never be heard from again (although, I must admit, that idea is appealing...).

What if the boat breaks down and you get stranded in the middle of nowhere? My response: Just like a car breaks down, or a house needs repairs, obviously the boat will, at some point, break down. When that happens, it won't be conveniently next to the dock. That's why we're choosing a boat with two engines and two bathrooms. The odds of both breaking at the same time are next to zero. If that did magically happen, it would probably be different parts on each, which means you can steal parts from one to make the other work and go on with only one. You keep critical spare parts and sails on board. You plan for the fact that repairs have to happen along the way, and you are meticulous with your daily inspections of everything on board (especially before heading under way). Also, you can call your friend on that other boat, via VHF, and have them bring you what you need. You can pay a yearly fee that's like a car's AAA, to get rescue and towing if needed. The routes you travel are like highways, they are the same routes all the other boats travel. Worst case, you can flag another vessel, on their way by, for help. Even more worst case scenario, you could radio the coast guard for help. You won't be forever stranded and end up like 'Cast Away'.

What about pirates? Aren't you worried about being abducted or killed? My response: Yes, there are pirates out there and stories of people that have been abducted, held ransom, or killed. You do realize that every time you get into a car you risk getting killed, right? How many stories have you heard of people getting shot, raped, abducted, homes broken into, etc in your own state this year, let alone the entire United States? Do you let any of those stories stop you from taking your child to school, leaving your home to go out, or flying to see grandma? Fear is not a reason to stop you from doing something. We will be listening in, on the same VHF station, that every sailing vessel listens to. When the warning of pirate activity in a region comes to light, obviously you avoid that region. If you absolutely must go through that region, you don't go alone. These pirate vessels are little 2-4 man power boats out to take advantage of an easy target. They won't attack a group going through. Just like you tell your daughter to go with friends, and not alone. You travel with others for safety. You can also avoid that hurricane too, just move your house (or boat in this case). Safety is paramount in the sailing community. All vessels look out for each other. We'll be just as safe (or not safe depending on your point of view) sailing around the world, as we would be traveling in our own country.

Aren't you worried a big whale or shark will tip your boat over and you'll become fish food (yes, I actually got that question asked)? My response: You do know that 'Jaws' was a movie, and not real right? Yes, you are going to see lots of sea life (dolphins love to play in the boat's wake). That's one of the really cool perks to sailing. Yes, there are sharks in certain areas (like Australia right now). That means you don't go swimming if you are there. But large aquatic animals are not going to tip our boat over and eat us. If our boat did manage to get tipped over, it'll float upside down as easily as right side up (another advantage to a catamaran). The boat would be trashed, but we wouldn't drown or get eaten. Don't worry, we'll have insurance, and the coast guard is only a radio call away.

What about the cat (this is usually asked like an OMG)? My response: He's going with us. The kids won't give him up. He's only three, and he'll be a great use against rodents and bugs (should there be any, which there probably won't be if you're careful putting supplies on board). Cats are natural sailors (generations of ships in the past made sure they carried them on board). We've even trained the cat to use a special litter box that will work on the boat. We've seen many vessels with pets on board (they have little green outdoor carpet rugs for the little doggy to do his business on), the cat will have the time of his life.

How can you just pick up and go like that? My response: Why not? Tell me one person that doesn’t want to run away from their life. Who says you can’t? Most of the families out, doing this right now, have had to save up their money for months or years to then travel. Other families are lucky to be able to work 'at home' (or on the boat in this case), so that they can travel continuously. Most of the families already out there do not have the constant income we will have. We have the fortunate ability to be able to do this, we would be fools to pass up the chance. What my children will get in life skills alone, while we are traveling, will far exceed anything they could have gotten if we stayed here.

Usually, after all of the above questions have been answered, I get one more:
Will you adopt me? My response: No. But feel free to call us if you're looking for a quick vacation and need a place to stay, in the beautiful sunshine, surrounded by perfect blue water and great weather.

So, that’s where we are. We’re running away from life and taking our children with us. No, we won’t adopt you, but it was worth asking ;-)