mvarbero 0 #1 February 4, 2004 I just started jumping last year and my wife thinks that this is irresponsible since we have 2 children. With that said, how many skydivers out there with children and do your spouses agree with you skydiving? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
velo90 0 #2 February 4, 2004 Got two kids. My Ex-wife does not think I should skydive. She also does not want the kids jumping either. My son has done 2 Tandems and my daughter also 2 tandems. My ex loves the videos I made of them jumping. But they should not jump My current girlfriend thought I was crazy skydiving. That was a while ago. Now she has 250 jumps herself, twice broke her leg jumping and is currently moaning about the crap weather and not being able to jump. Get you wife to do a tandem and then sign her up on a course and everything will be O.K. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoShitThereIWas 0 #3 February 4, 2004 I have a three year old daughter and have thought long and hard about this one. I have relatives who think I should stop skydiving and that I am irresponsible and I am also her last living parent. I have friends with kids who tell me to continue to skydive if it is what I enjoy doing. Skydiving is a part of my life (at least for now). I have invested a lot to get my ratings, gear, etc. I have slowed down a lot but children want us to be who we are and do what makes us happy. I think it depends on how important skydiving is to YOU. My boyfriend put it very bluntly ... Are you going to stop driving your car because you have kids? How many people die in car accidents each year? Yes, skydiving can be dangerous. I think the key is to take care of yourself first. Shit can happen anywhere, anytime, anyplace, period. Whether you drive, surf, skydive, golf, ride motorcycles, bowl, whatever ... Be cautious and take care of yourself first. If you take good care of yourself, you will be able to take good care of others like your children. Before I get on an airplane I am thorough with my gear checks and if something doesn't feel right, I have no ego over asking someone to check it out for verification. I try not to go outside of my level of comfort or take on things I think are over my abilities. When I am on the airplane I hope to myself that everyone on my load is doing the same. If we all take care of ourselves first, then if some shit does happen, we are in a position to potentially help others. Understand where your wife is coming from. She is afraid of losing you. I have lost friends in this sport who have had young children and it is a very sad thing. However, when I look at some choices they made which led them to their fate, I don't think I would have made those same choices. Don't ever become complacent and always know your limits.Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyyhi 0 #4 February 4, 2004 I have one child and did not think twice about jumping. I do think about safety quite a bit and double and triple check my gear. I am more nervous when he is at the dropzone with me. My ex (son's dad) wants to jump also so no issues there.________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 220 #5 February 4, 2004 QuoteGot two kids. My Ex-wife does not think I should skydive. She also does not want the kids jumping either. My son has done 2 Tandems and my daughter also 2 tandems. My ex loves the videos I made of them jumping. But they should not jump My current girlfriend thought I was crazy skydiving. That was a while ago. Now she has 250 jumps herself, twice broke her leg jumping and is currently moaning about the crap weather and not being able to jump. Get you wife to do a tandem and then sign her up on a course and everything will be O.K. Bwahahahahahaha!!!!! I love it! It couldn't be more practicly put. Thank you. P.S. If she or he is still to ANAL after the Tandem - There's only one thing to do - Cut Away.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
caress 0 #6 February 4, 2004 Well, heck, My hubby is going for his aff this summer. I have decided to probly go with SL, and our 12 year old wants in the wind tunnel something fierce, which we will probly allow, and our 3 year old make bold leaps from the livingroom furniture saying I jump out of the plane! I have no doubt we have the makings for a happy skydiving family. I am thrilled to pieces with that! I figure starting my kids off early in life will teach them the upmost respect for skydiving all together, and yes they know the risks, they have been explained, and they have watched Out of the Blue almost everynight this week. I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #7 February 4, 2004 I started jumping before I met my ex wife. I had 600 dives when we met, 1600 when we married and 2500 when we divorced, and I have over 4000 now. I have 2 children. One, 10, has 2 Tandems. Mom doesn't mind. The other, 5, will jump in about 2 years if she's still keen then. There are many ways to die. My ex wife doesn't mind me jumping anymore. tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
velo90 0 #8 February 4, 2004 QuoteMy current girlfriend thought I was crazy skydiving. Bwahahahahahaha!!!!! You think that's funny ? A friend of mine sent a valentines card to his girlfriend and wrote on it - To the best girlfriend I've found yet Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 220 #9 February 4, 2004 QuoteQuoteMy current girlfriend thought I was crazy skydiving. Bwahahahahahaha!!!!! You think that's funny ? A friend of mine sent a valentines card to his girlfriend and wrote on it - To the best girlfriend I've found yet No, no, no, you misunderstand me - or perhaps it is that I cannot explain myself very well. It started out that you were married and she said you should not jump - then it went to "My Girlfriend thinks" I wasn't making reference to the "current", I'll learn how to communicate one day.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elfanie 0 #10 February 4, 2004 We have three children...ages 8, 4, and 17 months. My husband and I both jump. I don't think it's crazy at all...I take a certain amount of risk living life every single day... and do they think that people who scuba dive who are parents are crazy? (statistically, SCUBA is quite a bit more dangerous than skydiving...by factors) Our kids love to be at the DZ with us...love to watch us. My 17 month old points to any canopy in the sky and says, "ma ma ma ma..." My 8 year old is just waiting for his first tandem (but we'll talk more about that after it happens). Nope..no conflict here. -------------------------------------------- Elfanie My Skydiving Page Fly Safe - Soft Landings Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #11 February 4, 2004 Husband and I have 3 kids...we both jump (well, he DID jump...he'll continue later this summer) And I am EXTREMELY careful about safety issues in the air. Part of raising a happy family is having a happy mama! ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StearmanR985 0 #12 February 4, 2004 I am married and we have a 9 year old daugher. I jump but my wife does not. She does not mind me jumping but she does worry a bit which I think is quite normal. Oh, she is considering taking up the sport herself. But she is deathly afraid of getting lost while under canopy though.... Weird. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Unstable 9 #13 February 4, 2004 I see lots of AMAZING parents who are jumpers ---- IMO, there is no reason you should cease jumping when you have kids. Coma, but, However - Don't bring your kids to the DZ when they are older than 3 and less than 7. I don't know how many Times I've stopped a kid from drowning himself, playing with the Electric motor for the hangar door, walking into a propeller, et cetera. The DZ is not a child-safe atmosphere...=========Shaun ========== Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mvarbero 0 #14 February 4, 2004 Thanks to all. I think the biggest thing is that it wasn't dicsussed before hand. I just did it. Second is the money, "it could be used for their education". My son is 11, he thinks it pretty neat. My daughter is 15, could care less. Go figure! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #15 February 4, 2004 I have two boys that are now teenagers, and I've been skydiving for over 25 plus years. I found that balance and responsibility are important if you're skydiving, or any other high risk sport. Balance You don't leave your children every weekend in order to be at the DZ. And you don't drag them out there just so you can make some skydives. I know there are some people that take their kids, and they say how much fun the kids have, but I know from experience. Children have a shorter attention span then adults, and if children aren't involved in an activity, they get bored, then that leads to trying to find something to entertain themsleves. That then leads to them getting in trouble or putting themselves in harms way. Children enough doing something that involves mom and dad. Responsibility If you're going to skydive, have a will, life insurance, and good health insurance. I am speaking from personal experience. After my boy's dad died in a skydiving related accident, I was so thankful for good health insurance, a good life insurance policy, and a will. Your children will only be little for so long. I now have one teenage son who has moved out, and I can't believe how much I miss him. They will grow up and not want to do things with mom and dad. Enjoy them now. Again, balance.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John4455 0 #16 February 4, 2004 She will get used to it, as long as it isn't a finacial burden. That she won't get used to. How do ya like it Johnny? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newsstand 0 #17 February 4, 2004 My kids are mostly adults now, one on her own, one in college, one in high school. I have a big pile of life insurance if the worst happens. "Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at evening." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
racer42 0 #18 February 4, 2004 I have two terrific girls and they think it's cool that I sky dive, my wife knows after 22 years that I will do pretty much what I want. Besides she wouldn't ask me to give up something that means so much to me. Nor would I ask her to give up something similar. My kids will no doubt jump at least once someday, but not until they are 18.L.A.S.T. #24 Co-Founder Biscuit Brothers Freefly Team Electric Toaster #3 Co-Founder Team Non Sequitor Co-Founder Team Happy Sock Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
