Diving & Children :babycrawl

[IslandHopper]

hmmm ... we have a 1, 3, 5, and 7 year old ...

My wife and I take turns diving (well, actually, I dive a lot more than she does, but she say's she doesn't mind, and I am starting an IDC course.)

We get to dive together when our parents visit, as we trust them with the kids in a worst-case scenario. Our LDS also sponsors a lot of shore-dive/BBQ's where we can both get the chance to dive, just not at exactly the same time. Whoever stays ashore gets to hel with the BBQ and watch the kids.

This works for us, but I wouldn't presume to say it would work for everyone.

 

[lanun]

when i started, my kids were 3 and 5. my wife got certified a year later.

we take turns diving - i will snorkel with the kids while my wife dives, and then it's my turn. sometimes one of us says - you go ahead. i'll spend the whole day with the kids. sometimes both of us end up just snorkeling.

the side benefit is we are not overly dependent on each other as dive buddies, while at the same time the kids are included in the nice day out or family vacation.

 

[anemone]

when i started, my kids were 3 and 5. my wife got certified a year later.

we take turns diving - i will snorkel with the kids while my wife dives, and then it's my turn. sometimes one of us says - you go ahead. i'll spend the whole day with the kids. sometimes both of us end up just snorkeling.

Nice.... hope when i'll be in that situation in the future, one of us will do the same.

*crossing my fingers*

 

[scbababe]

It's good for your diving skills to occassionally dive with someone other than hubby/buddy.

As to the diving skills, we do go out on group dives and we both have picked up great tips doing so...

The reason(s) for my questions are to get ideas on how to be able to enjoy this beautiful sport together not apart. I take diving very serious, I'm sure we all do. Aside it being a beautiful sport it can be life threatening if you run into trouble. You must be able to trust your (buddy) other individual with your life... So it's something I don't take lightly....

 

[cobaltbabe]

Both my partner and I have ex's who have the children on the same weekend, leaving us open 2 weekends a month to dive. Granted my oldest son keeps telling me to be quiet because everything is either a current dive site or "hey that would make a nice dive site".

 

[Jeddah Aquanaut]

Being that your wife doesn't dive, how often do you get to go diving? I know that it can get complicated, but does it become a major issue if you do?

Well, my situation is a bit complex and I hope I'm not boring anyone. I hail from Vermont, but have been working here in Saudi Arabia for about 10 years. Up until last year, diving was very part time, as one of our children was not yet 3 and the eldest 7 years. We went out as a family, shopped, went out in the desert...so I did not try to dive too often. Going diving meant her staying with the kids for the morning, until I got back, usually no more than 4 hours. Our company has a beach villa which we could have used for them to hang out at while diving, but she's just not a beach person.

Well, with all the terrorist incidents here in the last year, all dependents were evacuated. Currently, wives only can come back, but not children. We're waiting on word in the next month. So, with so much time on my hands since last June, my diving schedule greatly accelerated. I finished my DM course, racking up 180 dives so far. If families can come back, I will get my daughter into diving (with the Bubblemaker program). She was on a swim team here, and loves the water, so even if I didn't dive again, I know she will love it. The down side to all my diving lately is seeing all other people at the beach with their families/kids. (Only Raytheon still has this mandatory evac policy.) I have become what I coined a "geographical bachelor."

I don't know how my diving schedule will be upon their return, but getting my daughter to the beach will also mean one less kid for my wife to deal with for at least a few hours. So, to draw this to a conclusion, I know just how hard it can be with diving and families. Best of luck to all you families trying to juggle both. Cheers!! almtree:

 

[scbababe]

I don't know how my diving schedule will be upon their return, but getting my daughter to the beach will also mean one less kid for my wife to deal with for at least a few hours. So, to draw this to a conclusion, I know just how hard it can be with diving and families. Best of luck to all you families trying to juggle both. Cheers!! almtree:

Thank you for responding. That's quite a distance where you are. I hope you and your family are safe... keep diving!!!!

 

[mikswi]

My wife and I are both certified and we have young ones. 2,8,13. We dont get much time together so we get a sitter/neighbor to check in on them when the 13 year old watches them.

Its wonderful for us to spend time together doing something we love. I/ we dont feel guilty because we spend allot of time with them during the week an 2-3 weekends a month.

Its important for a marriage to have time "away". Especially enjoying a mutual intrest. As long as you honor your obligations to your family (and It sounds like you do) then you should have no guilt in going out/diving.

 

[scbababe]

Its important for a marriage to have time "away". Especially enjoying a mutual intrest. As long as you honor your obligations to your family (and It sounds like you do) then you should have no guilt in going out/diving.

Thanks for your responce. It is nice when you can share this beautiful sport and still honor your obligations and not leave your wife behind... "Kudos".

 

[Finnatic]

It's very simple...bring your own reliable babysitter. Perhaps a teenage niece or nephew or other person whom you trust. Also, many resorts can provide a reliable babysitter. I do understand your reservations regarding leaving a child that young with an unknown babysitter. Personally, I could not do that and would opt for the first choice. It is the growing pains of young marrieds with children..an extra expense for a dive vacation, but worth it to have your child with you. As an empty nester, I no longer have this problem, but I certainly identify with your concerns.