Same thing they were thinking when they let her brother do it.

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And what do you suppose that was?

The additional question remains: If you were the parent would you have allowed your 16 year old daughter to attempt to sail around the world alone?

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Harmony happens whenever different parts get to form a whole by means of congruity, concord, symetry, consistency, conformity, correspondence, agreement, accord, unity, consonance…….

No. Not a chance.

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I don't know the young lady, or her skills. The media is making an issue out of it, but sixteen can be fairly mature. I wouldn't let a twelve year old do it, but yes, a sixteen year old, if she was skilled enough and tough enough mentally. She wouldn't likely be, but age wouldn't be the disqualifier, her ability would

We have a family friend (my daughter's school friend) who sailed single-handed around Great Britain in a small boat (it took three months) upon graduation from high school (OK, A levels in the UK). She supported the Ellen MacArthur Trust, built her skills, then raced a solo ocean race, then completed a solo trans-Atlantic race (OSTAR) last year. Youngest ever female to complete the race. I'd let my daughter sail around the world if she had Katie's skills. Yes, she is 22 now, not 16, but it came to mind.

Katie Miller Yacht Racing

Now Quick, would you let your child sail solo, or climb a mountain, or race a car?

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Good question;

knowing them as I do I would encourage them to count the cost.
I Also know the decision they would make, so any temporary
insanity on their part would quickly fizzle replaced with reasonable
conclusions.

__________________
"What you hear in a great jazz band is the sound of democracy. “The jazz band works best when participation is shaped by intelligent communication.”
Harmony happens whenever different parts get to form a whole by means of congruity, concord, symetry, consistency, conformity, correspondence, agreement, accord, unity, consonance…….

You dodged the question. The question was whether you would let them do something that some people would consider dangerous. You answered that they would calculate the cost, not be able to afford it, or the idea would pass, and so they wouldn't do it anyway. Saved you from making the call. But let's say they wanted to do it, and found a way. Would you support them, or would you exercise your parental authority to stop them? I suspect I know the answer, since your thread title is "What were they thinking?", but it is always worth asking to make sure.

This example ended badly for the boat, not so badly for the young lady. Check the link I gave you on Katie Miller and her ocean racing. Would you have let her sail solo around England and Scotland in a 21' boat? Race solo across the Atlantic in a 30' boat? She has sponsors, and worked hard raising money, so she has the financial means to do it.

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Actually I did answer the question. But for you let me put it
another way.

If a 16 year old does not realize the dangers that they will face
as a result of their choices then it's my job as a parent to
exercise good judgement in their behalf until they reach the
age that they can make their own decisions.

With every decision one has to count the cost. I already know
the cost of doing something that some people would consider
dangerous. Therefore in this case my job as a parent is to get
my children to reason and consider what the risks are.

We as parents then expect our young ones to make a decision that
underscores their respect and concern for parents and
other family members who would bear the trauma from a bad decision they would make.

In this case none of my kids would consider solo sailing as a
wise decision. They understand the effect it would have on
other family members and would choose not to put the family
thru any undue stress.

__________________
"What you hear in a great jazz band is the sound of democracy. “The jazz band works best when participation is shaped by intelligent communication.”
Harmony happens whenever different parts get to form a whole by means of congruity, concord, symetry, consistency, conformity, correspondence, agreement, accord, unity, consonance…….

OK, fair enough, you have veto power over your kid's decisions. Now, how old do they have to be to make their own decisions? 17? 18? 19? 21? 37?

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I actually saw the interview of this girl and she doesn't seem like your normal 16 year old. I know 16 years is young and all but this girl really knows how to sail. She's sailed many times on her own.