benforde 0 #26 February 9, 2005 too lazy to read all... how old is your daughter? Mine is 14 and is attentively looking at the new Skyventure tunnel being build in Eloy... / Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #27 February 9, 2005 QuoteShe has more to lose than to gain at this point. And when's that going to change? I took my daughter for her 1st tandem when she was 8 (I/m not in the US - so lets not start down that road.) My other daughter is now 6 and is nagging as hard as the elder one was at her age. She'll also go when she's 8. As soon as they learn to pack - I'll start a jump fund for them. You're not dreaming about jumping with your child if you can make your own dream come true and choose not to. tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WrongWay 0 #28 February 9, 2005 Take note I'm only a young pup myself (will be 22 this saturday), but here's the way I see it..... I understand your need to protect her, and I realize that it's not cuz "mommy doesn't want her little girl hurt". It's because she's on an athletic scholarship, and one injury can mean a loss of that scholarship. You have every right and reason to worry, cuz that's a huge risk. In my opinion, I think maybe you should sit down and have a heart to heart talk with her about it. Just explain that you understand the desire to skydive that she has, and you want her to do it just as bad as she wants to, but that she needs to sit down and weigh out the risks for herself. Explain how serious the situation really would be if there was one twisted ankle or one broken wrist. Drill into her head the reality of it. After that, if she still looks up at the sky and says "that's my place", then back her up. You know how she feels. Wrong Way D #27371 Mal Manera Rodriguez Cajun Chicken Ø Hellfish #451 The wiser wolf prevails. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sum1mom 0 #29 February 9, 2005 Tonto, she's done 3 tandems. A lot changes when she's completed her education/athletic committment. She, herself, doesn't want to risk losing her scholarship if she was to end up with a skydiving related injury. (She is going to be 19 on the 18th). Your kids are very lucky to have been introduced at such a young age. Thanks for your post. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WrongWay 0 #30 February 9, 2005 Oh, and don't forget.....there's nothing to gain if there's nothing to risk. I for one refuse to tiptoe my way through life only to arrive safely at death. Wrong Way D #27371 Mal Manera Rodriguez Cajun Chicken Ø Hellfish #451 The wiser wolf prevails. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sum1mom 0 #31 February 9, 2005 Thank you WrongWay - from your post you clearly understand where we both are in this little dilemma. She gets to taste it again via tandem this weekend. And, if, like you say, she just can't take it anymore...we'll talk and look at doing some solos this summer. It just seems like a waste of money if she can't jump during the school year. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
op5e 0 #32 February 9, 2005 Is there no risk in a tandem? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #33 February 9, 2005 It's nice to see that your daughter makes such good decisions for herself and about her future at her age. You've obviously done a great job as her mom so far. Depending upon her/your ability to pay for her education, losing a scholarship could be devastating. Skydiving will still be here when she's out of school. Amazing how quickly those years go by too. There have been times when I *knew* that I could NOT afford a broken ankle. I didn't jump at those times either. I totally get where y'all are coming from. What fun it'll be in a few years though.... Peace~ linz-- A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amanduh 0 #34 February 9, 2005 Tell Nat to get a job That's a new canopy you could have bought yourself once you get done paying for her STP! hahahaha Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelel01 1 #35 February 9, 2005 I heard someone say once, and it applies to this situation, "A tandem is the safest jump for a new skydiver, and the most dangerous for an experienced one". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sum1mom 0 #36 February 9, 2005 OP5....you know the answer to that! The risks are much higher once you grab those toggles on your own!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
white_falcon 0 #37 February 9, 2005 You let her. Plain and simple, especially if she is old enuough to do it anyway. I personally have a 5 year old, and when she gets big enough to fit the harness, I'm gonna have to figure something out cause she is ALREADY ready to go. Your daughter could get hurt doing a myriad of other things so if that is the major concern, it is truly, to me anyway, a non-issue. Just another parent's $.02 Scott Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisL 2 #38 February 9, 2005 Your daughter is very fortunate that you pay for all of this for her. My own kids want to jump when they are old enough. I've told them that their first tandem is on me, after that they are on their own. If they want to persue it not only is the decision theirs, the financial burden is theirs as well.__ My mighty steed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sum1mom 0 #39 February 9, 2005 Amanduh, ergh!! Are you kidding me? Nat get a job?? HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! Seriously though, she'll get one this summer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amanduh 0 #40 February 9, 2005 QuoteAmanduh, ergh!! Are you kidding me? Nat get a job?? HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! Seriously though, she'll get one this summer. LMFAO! Honestly, Shari...I know you want her to jump with you..but don't hound yourself on it. When she gets herself a job and is able to pay for it, then she will share the sky with you. Don't feel it's your responsibility to pay her entire training girly.... *Ready for the boobie dive?* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanillaSkyGirl 6 #41 February 9, 2005 Don't feel so badly about any of this. You are giving her so much, already. Let her find her own way. If she truly wants to fly, then she will have to figure out how to get there. In my opinion, a responsible, independent person would pay for her/his own training when she/he is ready to make that commitment for him/herself. Congratulations on being such a caring mother. Edited: Wow, my post was similar to what Amanda wrote! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Feeblemind 1 #42 February 9, 2005 Okay well since noone else asked I'll bite, what is her scholoarship for and what time of year (Fall, Winter, or spring) is her active season? I have FJCin 2 hours 5 min and 33 seconds with jumps on thursday and friday (please lord grant me the knowledge and wisdom not to do something stupid and die) HEHE Fire Safety Tip: Don't fry bacon while naked Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sum1mom 0 #43 February 9, 2005 It's a softball scholarship. She's a pitcher (starter)....so, any injury would affect her performance. (trains year round with scrimmages in the fall, full season in the spring, and she'll be playing this summer as well for her travel team) Don't forget to flare!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amanduh 0 #44 February 9, 2005 QuoteEdited: Wow, my post was similar to what Amanda wrote! Great minds think alike. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,447 #45 February 9, 2005 I agree with this, and with ChrisL. My son is 21, and would like to skydive. He's more than welcome to, since he'll need to be the one to pay for it. If I were to pay for it all, I'd always wonder how much he really wanted to, and how much he wanted to only enough to have me pay for it. And, well, it's a dangerous sport -- you should want it badly enough to figure out a way to pay for it. Now -- once he decides to start, I'm sure I'll help him get the best deals I can, the best instructors, and everything else. But there has to be some of his own investment in this too. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #46 February 9, 2005 QuoteI've told them that their first tandem is on me, after that they are on their own. If they want to persue it not only is the decision theirs, the financial burden is theirs as well. I was reading this and FINALLY, you and Rosa have a voice of reason. The girl is an adult, she's in school - hopefully out of the house, and if she wants to skydive the parents have no say anymore. Neither should they pay the bucks - no matter how affluent they are - this is a critical stage in life and giving away big things like this sends a strange message. But parents can and should advise on how to balance work and school, what it takes. I'm not sure what another poster meant by 'rewarding' the girl for finishing college. A graduation gift is a gift, not a motivating factor. I wouldn't advertise the graduation gift - 'finishing school' and getting a start in life is the motivating factor. I'm sure it's tough to decide when to stop 'taking care' of the kids versus raising them to take care of themselves. I'm sure I'll have a hard time of it when my daughter goes to college. Sounds like a cool kid though. ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumperconway 0 #47 February 9, 2005 Shari, FYI, noone that I have paid for or 1/2 paid for has continued in the sport. If they really want it, they will find a way to afford it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
op5e 0 #48 February 9, 2005 Sorry for my short post before. Her getting injured in skydiving is there but there is a high probability she wont get hurt if she plays it safe. This is the same with tandem. So if you stop her from doing AFF because of this mindset you really shouldn't give her Tandems. Because if she put her foot down wrong or something a skydive is a skydive to a whuffo. I personally think after 3 tandems she would get to know what it is like and it would be more of a tease than anything giving her another one. I would suggest putting the money aside, and use this towards her AFF/gear or even tunnel time when she graduates (and SHE is comfortable doing AFF without the added pressures). I just know how much tandems are and how much AFF is and cringe at the thought of that money being spent and not having a license to show for it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amanduh 0 #49 February 9, 2005 QuoteI personally think after 3 tandems she would get to know what it is like and it would be more of a tease than anything giving her another one. I beg to differ. I know that when I did my 2 tandems I didn't know anything else. BUT, when I did my first solo...and realized it WAS 50 times better than being attached to someone...WOWA. It was THEN that I understood. If all she knows right now is the rush of tandems, then it's not a tease. Just IMO. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sum1mom 0 #50 February 9, 2005 That makes sense. I can see where she would place more value on it if it came out her pocket. I can help her some with the cash for jumping, but she needs to save some of her own $$ so I can have new stuff!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
