advice

[skyboyblue 0]

freebird, you shouldn't feel guilty about doing what you love to do. If it completes you, then should be ok to do. would you feel guilty if it was cross stitching or something mundane like that, that made you feel really good about yourself? It sounds like you are thinking more about the reason why you shouldn't jump than the reason why you should jump. stop that. you said things you learned about yourself from skydiving spill over into other parts of your life. good for you, I'm sure your daughter notices that, and I'm sure neither of you would be the same if you 'were' to quit. don't equate the possibilites of dangers in the sport(losing a mother/daughter) with feeling guilty about being happy from skydiving. There's a bazzilion things to do to make this a safer sport. and if you feel guilty about having fun, then bring your kid to the dz and involve her. Then both of you can have fun at the same time.

sbb

[RevJim 0]

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And that was just in high school! You should see what I've moved on to now!

Ruh roh. Next thing we know Val is gonna be having unprotected sex, and showing off her boobies on dz.com!

It's your life, live it!
Karma
RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

[sar911 0]

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I tell them, and they see, how much I love this sport, but I gently remind them before every trip to the dZ, that "You know, I love you, but you need to remember Daddy may not come home. I really plan on coming home, but you never know."

I have to totally disagree with this. To tell small children that you may not come home every time you go skydiving would be a terrible emotional burden on them. I am a father of four children and three grandchildren and I cannot imagine making them worry like that every time I went jumping. I have always been honest with my family. They all know the risk that is involved in both the sport and my work. Whenever I leave to go jumping or to work I tell them I love them, just as I do any other time that I leave.

My wife and I have taken steps to make sure our family will be taken care of no matter what happens to us at any time. My view is that if I could live my life over again I wouldn’t change anything, and if I am taken away today I am at peace with God.

If you do this I think that you will be at peace with yourself and be able to enjoy the things that you like to do in life (skydiving).

[rhino 0]

Look... You only have one life to live...

It IS possible to LIVE your life and be a great parent at the same time.. You can't expect yourself to not have a life and life in the BORING zone.

We all have those thoughts.. I love my son.. He is first in my life.. But I AM GOING to skydive. Skydiving is a part of my life.

Don't be too hard on yourself..

Rhino

[Vallerina 2]

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I have to totally disagree with this. To tell small children that you may not come home every time you go skydiving would be a terrible emotional burden on them.

My parents didn't do any of the crazy jumping out of planes stuff, but we did often discuss what would happen if one died. I guess they figured it was easier for both of us to be open about it; I felt free to ask questions, express concerns, even when I was about 4 (first time I can remember my dad bringing it up.) I know it made me be able to accept death and not worry about it so much like other kids did.

There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

[Tonto 1]

Hi There,

There are no garentees in life. I'm a father to the child of a deadbeat dad. She's 4. My older daughter is 9. Both of them are DZ kids and moan when we holiday anywhere else.

I wouldn't be the man I am without my passion, and the loss of that would affect who I am.

1 life. Be safe, but live it now, every second, for yourself. That is service enough for those who love you.

t

It's the year of the Pig.

[slotperfect 7]

If you approach skydiving as you approach parenting, from a place of responsibility, you will be a safe and responsible skydiver. You will also inspire your daughter to be courageous, to face challenges that life brings, to face fears that the world creates for us head on and find joy in facing them.

I have two children, both of which want to skydive when they get old enough (they are 11 and 8). My son started working at the dropzone, helping out at the school doing odd jobs. They see what I do as exciting, but a normal part of my life.

Personally I do not consider it irresponsible or a source of unnecessary risk. Skydiving is as much a part of who I am as any other choice I make.

Some people see the world as it is, and ask 'Why?' I see the world as it could be, and ask 'Why not?' --George Bernard Shaw

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go -- T. S. Eliot

[freebird 0]

Thanks for all of the input guys. I appreciate it. Im going to try and not feel guilty when I jump. That is my only drawback in the sport is the guilt I feel, aside from that everything is wonderful when Im jumping.

[flyangel2 2]

My children lost their dad in a skydiving related accident when they were 7 and 9 years old. The worst part about the accident was that we were all on the DZ when it happened. Luckily the accident happened far enough away that none of us saw it and I didn't know what happened till I arrived to the hospital. Since Jack and I both skydived, and I still do, and had children we followed and listened to that inner voice if we didn't feel comfortable about a situation. One of the things we did was never got in the same jump craft. That was just us. After Jack's death I had to think long and hard about continuing in the sport, afterall, I was now on my owe raising two children. It took me six months after his death to finally get back in the air, and I was a nervous wreak thinking about all the "what if's". BTW, it was my children that pushed me back into skydiving. I still listen to that inner voice and if there is one thing I don't like about a situation, I don't get on the plane, or if I'm already on the plane, I don't jump. And I never let peer pressure make the decision for me.
When Luke and Adam are old enough to start skydiving, I know they will do it. Luke is 17 and counting down the days till he can jump. I've taken them both to the wind tunnel and they have put in their time there, just to let them know a tad about freefall. Not to say that the tunnel replaces the freefall training, I just thought it would be good practice for them.

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Anyway my problem is dealing with the fact that skydiving does have risk factors and I have been feeling guilty when I jump. reply]

You need to ask yourself if the guilt is distracting from your safety. When you're skydiving, being distracted in the last thing you want to be happening.

So, IMO you are the one that needs to do some soul searching and answer that question for yourself. There will always be another time that you can take up the sport, when you are more comfortable.

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

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[freebird 0]

When you're skydiving, being distracted in the last thing you want to be happening. ***
agreed.

[rhino 0]

Freebird.. Hun....

Your feelings are genuine... We all have them. It means you love your children. None of us want to leave them..

Just be carefull and chances are you won't leave them..

Rhino

[freebird 0]

My life was horrible and I hated myself before I discovered skydiving and how it changed me in such a wonderful way can compare to nothing.

[rhino 0]

Life is wonderfull....

Challenges and obstacles give us the chance to grow... Thank God for them..

And keep jumping....

Rhino

[freebird 0]

This is what I love .

[lagerhead 0]

keep jumping. what good is it to stop if you won't be happy.