Welcome to your family holiday: sail safely with children

Welcome! Family holiday: how to prepare your trip? Parents who have children will understand immediately when it comes to organise your holidays, especially if you want to book a sailing escape. Your own wishes and interests are often put aside, so that your children can fully enjoy their time. Going on a boat trip is something you are less likely to do with children, especially when you don’t have a lot of experience in sailing.

What if the whole family could enjoy the holiday without you having to worry about a thing?

Well, in this article, we will remind you how to prepare yourself for a wonderful family holiday, and what to keep in mind. Get aboard your sailing boat in complete safety with your family and enjoy your journey on the sea! Welcome family, a holiday on your sailing boat is awaiting you!

Welcome your family holiday: Life jackets

A life jacket is one of the first things that probably comes to mind when you think of taking children on the boat. For children who cannot swim, a life jacket is highly recommended. Life jackets ensure that children are well protected when in contact with the water. This keeps the child’s airways clear and the child is not in danger.

The life jacket helps the child to float, but of course if they are old enough to swim, it is always a lot safer if the child know how to swim. Another point to consider when choosing a life jacket is whether the life jacket fits the child properly. A life jacket that is too loose can come off while the child is in the water, which can lead to dangerous situations, conversely a vest that is too tight can restrict the child’s freedom of movement.

Image of a family on a sailboat, with a blue sky in the background. — **FAMILY ON A SAILBOAT**

Welcome on your family holiday: Swimming certificate

Obtaining a swimming certificate and gaining experience in the water is very important to us. When it comes to sail, water is never far away. As a parent, you can let your child start swimming lessons at a very early age. Some parents let their child start at the age of four. If your child is somehow proficient in swimming, it not only gives the children a bit more security, but will also provide a better peace of mind for the parents. On holiday, stressing is not a good thing, so wearing a life jacket is always a good idea, even if the child has one or more swimming certificates. So enjoy welcome to your family holiday, with your peace of mind and tranquillity.

Welcome on your family holiday: The destination

By travelling by boat, you will probably make one or more stops and anchor during your trip. Especially if you are travelling with children, it is good to make regular stopovers. Preferably, pick a mooring that also has suitable activities for the children nearby. There, the children will use up their energy and make your family holiday a real success. For example, you can check if there is a playground nearby if you want to make a short stop somewhere for shopping. If you plan to stay somewhere longer with the boat, see what activities there are to do with the children near that place.

Image of a little boy waterskiing with the sun in the background, while his family holiday. — **LITTLE BOY WATERSKIING**

Welcome on your family holiday: Rules

Rules are important for children to know what they can and cannot do. They still like to push the limits, though. When you are on a boat, this is not what you want.

Danger is usually hidden in a small corner. Clearly establish the basic rules and indicate where your child can and especially where they cannot go. With clear rules, you can prevent your child from getting into a dangerous situation.

Children may not always be interested in rules, so, try to go through the rules with your child in a light-hearted and playful way. Besides clear rules, you can also go through the planning of the trip with the children beforehand. Then they will also know what to expect during your family holiday.

Welcome on your family holiday: Distractions

Kids are known for not having a large attention span, and are therefore are generally easily distracted. When a child is bored, they are more likely to push the limits. As mentioned earlier, this is still not what you want on a boat. It is a good idea to bring lots of activities for your child. You know your child better than anyone and can judge what he or she likes to do. Let your child choose what to bring along. When your little one is doing something independently, preferably in the interior of the boat, you can have a moment for yourself. A catamaran, for instance, has enough interior space for the children to play in, so renting this type of boat is a very convenient option. But be always extra careful with children on board!