Kayaking trip with 4yo was a DISASTER

Dec 31 min read

Thought I could handle getting my 4yo out on the water in a tandem kayak. He wasn't interested in paddling, just wanted to throw rocks. Well, guess what genius here didn't bring a life vest that actually fit him because we were in a RUSH. He nearly went in off the dock trying to grab a duck and I aged 10 years in 3 seconds. We lasted 15 minutes before I turned us around. He was fine the whole time, laughing even, but I was white-knuckling that paddle the entire time. Back to the splash pad for us. Lesson learned: don't be cocky about water safety just because your kid is fearless.

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Comments(5)

PPaul T.RegularDec 3

4yos and water activities are a whole different breed. They don't want to "do the thing," they want to do whatever random thing their brain decides in that moment

GGene K.RegularDec 4

Wait, you went out WITHOUT the vest? That's the part that should terrify you more than the rock throwing lol. Glad everyone's okay but yikes

FFrank K.RegularDec 4

So did you bail after the vest incident or did you push through and just... deal with him throwing rocks for an hour?

CCharlie A.New DadDec 5

The genius part is you acknowledging you're the genius, tbh. Most people would just say "the kayak wasn't right for him" or something

SShane K.New DadDec 6

Oh man. The fact that you're laughing about it now says you're handling this better than most. But yeah, always double-check safety gear before water