A true story for those with teenagers!

[DeputyDan]

In July, I went with a group including teenagers to Buddy Dive in Bonaire. For the same week there was a group (to be un-named) from Michigan with over 30 divers including teenagers.

On the way to the airport the last day, the teens in our group loved Bonaire to a person and couldn't wait to return. The teens in the Michigan group hated Bonaire to a person and could not wait to leave.

The difference.

The Michigan group had boat dives every morning leaving at 8:30 - which put the group up around 7:00 am to have breakfast, assemble gear and be at the boat.

Our group - the teens had to be finished with breakfast by 10:00 am and be ready to dive at 10:30 am.


Our group made allowances for the group dynamics - the other group did not. Many of us in my group did a dive - came back for breakfast and were ready to start shore diving at 10:30 am as a group and all were happy!

The point is that its the teens vacation too! Let them enjoy it!

 

[Potapko]

IMHO there is too much catering to teenagers. We are leaving to go to Austria tomorrow morning. The plan is to leave the dive shop in town at 6:00 sharp AM of course. Mt two teenagers first do not dive, second did not complain even a little bit. Sorry, but it seems to me that the problem is a bunch of spoiled kids who can't get out of bed.

 

[Desa]

Point well made. While I don't give in to my kids every whim, I will say that because when I do a diving vacation, I usually schedule the dives for later because I have a 16 year old son and a 13 year old daughter that dive with me. while the daughter will jump up at 0600 anxious to go, it takes her an hour or more to get ready. (and thats without her makeup, since we are diving) the son only needs 3 minutes to get ready, but it is more trouble than its worth to try and get him out of bed before 0900.

Since the wife also takes a long time to get ready, experience has proven, dive later when diving as a family..............Its worth it......

 

[Desa]

Sorry, but it seems to me that the problem is a bunch of spoiled kids who can't get out of bed.

I don't want to sound like "My kids wouldn't do that" type of parent, but I don't think being spoiled is what its about.
Not arguing with you at all. I used to think like you are talking and in most cases I agree. My favorite line is "Are you rideing or walking?" Meaning: get in the car or miss the ride. But as I get older, I look at whats important to the rest of the family, not just me, and therefore I don't mind doing a dive a little later. I still get to dive and everybody is happier! Just my 2psi.............

PS: TheDivingPreacher, have a safe trip......Oh, and why don't they dive? Its a great way to spend a lot of money when you take an already expensive hobby and mulitply it times 4.LOL

 

[scubasean]

the son only needs 3 minutes to get ready, but it is more trouble than its worth to try and get him out of bed before 0900.

Count your blessings...Both of my sons frown on getting out of bed before 11am, having generally (during the summer) gotten to bed around 1-2am...)

:banana:

 

[Potapko]

PS: TheDivingPreacher, have a safe trip......Oh, and why don't they dive? Its a great way to spend a lot of money when you take an already expensive hobby and mulitply it times 4.LOL[/QUOTE]

Praise the Lord the girls aren't interested and the boys are too young yet. But, the fifth is on the way, due in March. Thanks for your insight as well.

 

[SwimJim]

I used to have a problem with my now ex-wife being on time for stuff. If I needed to be at point X at nine, I would tell her we had to be there at seven. That worked most of the time. I have teenagers too. They are not a problem, but we fixed that when they were young. If you wait till they are teenagers, you have lost.

 

[randyjoy]

I have worked evenings and nights for years (public safety). Getting on a boat leaving at 0830 would make me hate it also - I generally get up between 9 and 10.

It's not necessarily the age group.

 

[Prep4uuww]

I'm stuck here at UW-Whitewater and don't know what this AM you guys talk about is? JK Anyone wanna dive Pearl?

 

[underwater daphne]

i just think that a holiday should leave some space for flexibility. i doubt the only reason the group didn't like it, was having to get up early, i'm sure there were other reasons. but it sounds like your group tried to make as many ppl happy as possible, leaving room for early and late dives. i'm sure your group thought this way on other matters as well, making the holiday more enjoyable.