Would You EVER Let Your Child Do This??

I agree with Holly S.

It's important to understand that she has been doing this her whole life. Her brother held the record previously, and who doesn't want something that a sibling has? :)

If I were her mother in that position, yes I would let her do it. I would be very proud of her for even trying! :)

I think it's important to understand the family, and that she's been doing it her whole life. Her brother had the world record, and she wanted to break it. I would support it with as well trained as she was. The safety of the particular boat that she is on, is outstanding, and it was a dream. Wouldn't you have liked to accomplish something awesome? I would!

When I heard this, I was shocked too. Losing a child (yes a CHILD) is not worth breaking a world record in my eyes. Life is too precious. Even if the kid had been sailing for years. I think the parents should have child endangerment charges against them or something. Its insane. I would never let my kid do it.

There is danger in every situation so I would allow it. I would rather my child do something amazing and risky than something stupid and risky.

A girl died in an accident a few miles from my house. She was 16 and willingly riding with a drunk driver and a couple of drunk friends. They got in an accident, and the girl burned to death because of a stupid decision.
The girl who took on such a huge venture in sailing around the world was experienced, intelligent and brave. She took a risk and is now being rescued because she kept her wits about her and knew when she needed help.
I applaud her efforts.

She has all the knowledge to do it and she wants to. She's proven herself a capable sailor. If we don't let our kids do the things they prepare for and want to do, we're holding them back. She's been sailing her whole life and wants to set a world record. What kind of parents would we be if we told our children that hard work and determination pays off, but you're too young to try?

YES! She's 16! She's most certainly NOT a child, she's a young adult. And it's not "lettting" things "happen" to the family. The family actively planned, prepared for, trained, and encouraged the attempt. Frankly I think the US is sadly becoming so helicoptered we're going to have a generation of kids that won't be capable of being functioning adults because the moms are "too scared" to let their children go and grow. Is it scary? Yes, but our job is to PUSH the kids OUT of the nest not hold them in so long that their wings shrivel and die.

I cheered for the 13 yo that scaled Everest as well.

I think it depends on the child , she has come from a family who are experienced in sailing , and her brother attempted the same thing when he was 17 (not sure if he broke the record though). I couldn't imagine letting one of my kids be out at sea all alone , but we are not sailors and I do have a phobia of boats/sea anyway , but if this is what they do , then it's not more dangerous than your kid getting into a car everyday and driving.

absolutely i would if that were their dream. in fact, i plan on supporting them in all of their dreams and desires.

at 17 I was in the USMC, which is probably even more dangerous (over 100,000 service members die every year -in peacetime- in training accidents, and 4 out of 5 female marines are raped at least once by the end of their commitment). Other teenagers I know climb mountains, race cars and bikes, backpack across Europe, volunteer with NGOs, the list of dangerous things just goes on and on.

I hope she gets another shot.

This girls brother sailed the same seas last year. The family is extremely experienced & has complete faith in their childrens competence of sailing. However this is winter season in the Indian Ocean & the parents & daughter was well aware that the waves can get 30 feet high & it's frigid cold. With that being said I say heck no but would support her sailing in more appropriate seasons.

I think people who say the parents should be charged with child endangerment are ridiculous. We cannot keep our kids in a bubble. There are parents that put there kids in cheerleading or gymnastics which are extremely dangerous & have death risks as well. There are kids that have died playing baseball or football & were hit by the ball in the head or tackled agressivly, should these parents be charged too?

Kids need to know about safety in all aspects of their endeavors & the rest is in Gods hands

It depends on the child. Since I don't know this particular girl, I can't say whether I disagree with her parents. She could be one of the best sailors in the world, with the maturity level of many 25 year olds. We just don't know.

What I do know is that I am going to try my hardest to not let my fears hold my children back. My mother was a ball of anxieties, and I swear, I've spent the last 38 years trying to get her fears out of my own head. I never went after my dream because I was too scared of failure, as a result. I want my kids to know that a collection of failures is a sign of strength, not weakness.

If the teen (actually, almost an adult at that age!) was well-prepared for emergencies, knowledgeable about and experienced in sailing, has what they need for the trip, and really wants to do it, WHY NOT? Even an adult can get lost; that's not the point--she was prepared for that situation and handled it capably, as well or better than any typical 18-year-old!

Would I be *thrilled* about my 16 year old (or even 18 or 20 year old, for that matter) child going out alone on a trip like that? Heck no; I'd probably worry every minute of it. But I'm not going to hold them back from their dreams--I'm going to do everything I can to prepare them and help them reach their goals! Sometimes I have to remind myself to let them reach those goals when THEY are ready... not when I'M ready to let them go, because that would probably be never! lol

In general, we Americans "baby" our teens too much, in my opinion. Why is it that we expect more and more of children as they grow... but not teenagers? It's as if, despite the outward signs, we think they just stop growing at 13, and then suddenly they're supposed to "morph" into an adult on their 18th birthday! Really, think about it. Most people seem to think teenagers are just supposed to hang out with friends, do homework and a few extracurriculars, basically do nothing in the summer until they're 16, then get a license and maybe a part-time job... that's about it! And then when they turn 18 and still act like children, we wonder why they won't just "grow up!" Um, hello? Anybody out there? ;-)

Shouldn't we be showing teens how to prepare, how to handle emergencies or mistakes, and ... well, how to DO the things that adults are supposed to do (stand for what's right, meet challenges, take opportunities, set goals, be responsible, etc.)? But maybe part of the problem is that so many adults in our society don't do enough of those "basic" things, either. :-P

Anyway, on this same topic, I highly recommend the book "Do Hard Things" for teenagers AND their parents. Better yet, read it BEFORE they become teens! ;-)

Absolutely not- there is a difference b/w encouraging your children to explore and achieve and giving them permission to do something dangerous.

I doubt that I could allow this. I do know many 16 year olds that are way more mature and capable than some adults I know.

The problem is that out at sea, her boat is like a pin prick in an Olympic sized swimming pool.
Storms, damaged gear, priates.... Having to depending on whoever is out there to agree to even look? Yes, they found her, but it is a fishing boat what is working out there and they are not expected back on land for a while.. She will have to stay with them till they get back or another group agrees to go out and get her off of that boat.. Yikes.

They are very fortunate, I would not be well..

I would discourage a grown adult person from doing that ALONE. It is always safer to have at least another person with you, another set of hands and eyes, someone to help out if the other person gets injured or lacks the physical strength for a certain urgent task.

There is no "I" in "TEAM". How do you teach a teenager the value of teamwork after this? She's now geared to do everything herself and rely only on her own decisions, be totally independent and self-sufficient--And yes, those are good attributes but not in the extreme, not if the individual doesn't also know how to compromise, communicate, share and work together. And even if she was a super mature 16 year old, she is still going to make bad decisions.

What amazes me are these parents who are determined to put their kids/family into the media spotlight... for the attention, the endorsements, the potential tv shows, the money-?! They want her to break the record books... be a modern day Amelia Earnhart?... Well, we should not forget that Amelia Earnhart didn't survive her world record attempt either. I guess the parents see it as easy money or a free ride... I dunno, it just seems to be fueled by motivations based on materialism and pride. Maybe the parents are living their goals vicariously through their child. "Hey Dad, I want to sail around the world by myself" just doesn't seem like something a young teen would think up on her own.

i would be out of my mind with worry, but yes, if i had a child with that degree of talent and drive, and they were determined to have an adventure like that, i'd support them. but then, i think modern society infantilizes children to a ridiculous degree, then dumps on them for not being functionally adult by 18. that's another rant.
so yeah, when this sort of thing happens and it ends badly, it's terrible and tragic, but i think teenagers need to be able to spread their wings.
but i'd make sure she had a GPS!!
khairete
S.

Well, I know back in the day, like Bible times women were mamas at that age which is WAY more intense;) I guess it depends on the kid. Like I lived in Mexico for several years and it was common at around 16 years old to send the kids off to the states or Europe to study. Don't know if it was always the wisest plan, but it was common culturally. Different cultures have different expectations of kids. American teens are not always as mature as some other cultures because our expectation of our teens is that they are still kids. Not saying that is bad, but that is just how we raise them. When I was in Mexico we had a group of American teens come to help out with some service projects and I saw that the Mexican teens could work circles around the American teens simply bc they had always been raised to do so. Seriously not trying to elevate on culture over another, just pointing out that she may have been preparing from a very young age for this. Much like Dakota Fanning who seems to be navigating the acting world just fine because of a strong home life, while some kids just fall apart. So I said ALL that to say, no I cannot imagine sending my kid around the world at 16, but I could totally see them driving at that age or even studying abroad based on my life experience. Good question!

I heard this yesterday and about flipped out! No I wouldnt I dont care if her family was avid sailors NO! She was doing it solo. Yeah she might have had all of the stuff she needed but look at what happened? What if they wouldnt have found her? I think it was crazy, but thanks for letting us know they found her I prayed to God yesterday mornign after reading it. She is only 16 (yes I was a mama at that time) but she was all alone on a ship that anything could have happened! All I can do is say Thank the lord they found her...

I think the bigger question is why do so many parents shelter their kids in this country to the point of rediculousness and then turn around and judge a family they know nothing about. If your kids are incapable of achieving their goals or have limited goals, I think the bigger question is maybe you should look at how you have failed your own kids???

Why are we as parents not more focused on teaching our kids about the world and how to be safe as possible in it? Teaching them to speak other languages? Teaching them to travel safely in other countries?

Why also do we not prepare them and support them to achieve their dreams?

I have met adults that have never left their home state, let alone been to another country??? Really how are these people ever expected to understand what the world is like?

Having gone to one of the top University's in this country I witnessed over 50 percent of the freshman class flunk out??? Why because their parents didn't teach them to be responsible and accountable... Their parents sheltered them to the point they were incapable of balancing their academic and social activities and it was the kids that suffered because of their parents not teaching them responsibility. I think the issue is the parents and their lack of parenting. If you raise your kids to be responsible educated global citizens and support them in achieving their goals and desires they will no doubt rise to do do great things.

Back to this girl...Obviously this was a big trip, she planned and organized the trip to be as safe as possible, no doubt she had contacts to help her at the various ports and help her with supplies and problems. Anyone who has ever traveled knows you always make a plan to ensure things go as safely as possible. While we as a society view 16 as being young this young lady who would considered an adult in many other countries, further more she grew up in So Cal... Live down there for a while it's the real world unlike most of the sheltered environments most kids grow up in. She seems more mature then your average 16 year old.

All that being said for her to get the record apparently this trip had to be made alone...

If it were me I would let her go, however I would follow along behind her in another boat to ensure she wouldn't be left high and dry should something like what happened to her happen. Because it is irresponsible to expect others to rescue my child and to risk their lives when I wasn't willing to be there to take the proper precations to ensure my own child's safety. I also believe that the parents and the young girl should pay for the entire rescue operation.

My two bits.
H.

Maybe not at 16, but as children grow some show exponential maturity at younger ages. I am sure she was not a novice, she probably grew up on the ocean sailing, etc with her mom & dad.
Only to say, if I thought my daughter had the maturity and experience and the desire to do something incredibly meaningful to her, I would not rule it out.

yes I would. She would have to be 1) a VERY good sailor. 2) the trip would have to be planned out VERY well.

From what I've read this wasn't just some 16 yr old kid that on whim decided to do this. Wasn't it her brother that did the same thing a few yrs ago and he made it just fine. From what I've read she planed it out for a while before deciding to go.
If she was my daughter yes I'd let her go. We can't protect them forever.
I'd rather my child have an experience like this than sit at home contemplating stupid things like boys , nail polish, and facebook.
This at least is character building .

Uh, no. That is a dangerous trip to do alone. Would it be any less thrilling and awe inspiring if she had someone with her? I think its about ego and thank goodness, she is alive. Also, I don't think its cultural because studying abroad or living with a host family is not at all like circumnavigating the earth alone. My family is European and they would have never let me do that.

Her family is REALLY into sailing, and her brother did a solo around the world trip at 17. Another girl beat his record at 15 or 16. Of course I would worry myself sick, but if my family was all about sailing and this was what we did, then I would probably be okay with it. I personally think it's REALLY cool -and what a thing to have accomplished at 16! I'm so glad they found her alive.

I would have worried more about my 13 yr. old climbing Everest. I think it's cool he did it, but MANY people who try that die. Still, it's great that these kids are out there hopefully being role models to the unmotivated, overweight kids who just sit in front of a tv all day and eat Doritos! I think they're showing that you really can do anything you put your mind to!

WOW! After reading through many of the responses, I'm amazed. How many who responded 'knows' this family personally. I don't and would never presume to know the inner workings of Dad's mind or the childs.
I know that as the question was asked, my 18 yo son would NOT be allowed to do this. My reason is that he's never been on a sailboat, is not mature enough in what I believe he would need to be out there doing this alone.
On the same subject, he is mature enough to go to college and become whatever he wants (EMSParamedic) and he'll be great at it. I know that because he's gone through several training courses over the last couple of years and has shown he can do it and has done a great job.
If he had been brought up on boats, trained hard for this type of event and I knew that it was what HE wanted to do, YES, I would let him go and give it a shot. He would know when it was time to call in the rescue team. He would know when enough was too much to continue.
There is alot that went into the decision for this young lady to take this adventure. I applaud her strength and endurance up to this point and maturity to make that call for help. I hope she does try it again and succeeds-for herself not for others!
And, yes, I would worry the entire time for their safety and pray that all their training would be enough and, if needed, the rescue workers are nearby. In this Country it seems children are not raised to go out there and do something....too often it's rely on mom & dad to get them out of the hole they are in. Too often, parents do just that and the child doesn't learn. As one reader said....If she had made it, we'd all be jumping up and down in our living rooms. Since she didn't, we are all screaming for charges against the parents and wondering who will pay the bill for the rescue!
Congrats to the young lady for making it as far as she did!

Although I personally think it's a crazy goal for ANYONE to have, her brother had done it last year, and another 16yr old girl has also accomplished that goal. So obviously it CAN be done. Would I let MY child do this? Probably not, I would not be strong enough to push aside the worry and support her without losing my mind. But I guess Abby's parents believed she had the capability to do it. Considering her calm reactions under severe and panic-inducing conditions, she must be a very mature and accomplished individual. She truly is a role model, as I think anyone who sets a goal, then does their best to accomplish it (whether sailing around the world, cooking every recipe in a cookbook, or getting through "War and Peace") is a good example for others to follow. I'm really glad she was found safe and alive.

i cannot believe the closemindedness of most of the woman responding! Are we to coddle and shelter our children for their entire lives? This young woman was raised her entire life sailing. She had vast amounts of experience and i'm sure this trip was extremely planned out. Who are we to judge a young woman and her family in their decisions? Do any of us know them personally? NO WE DO NOT!!!! It would be scary, but we have to let our children experience life and the world. I agree with one responder who said at least the young woman was not sitting around at home dreaming of boys and wasting time on facebook. She had a mature, wonderful dream that she was determined to fulfill and I applaud her courage and strength. Did anyone stop to think how scary it would be for her to be by herself? She did not let fear stop her and i think she is awesome and her parents are as well for not holding her or her brother back when he did the same thing a year ago.

;

There is a report today that she was found and is safe. It will be 2 days before the first ship can get to her.

Personally, I would not let my kid do this, but in her family it seems to be a right of passage. Sis trying to get the sailing title back that her brother lost to another girl....

I think her father is an egomaniac and avid sailor...he's trying to live his dream through his child and NO I would never want anyone in my family, especially a child, to do stupid things just to prove something that is basically pointless.

Blessings......

Well, personally no, but I don't think it's so crazy for some famlies. Every family is different and you have to listen to the story in context. Remember that most "children" were married and parents by her age just a century or two ago. Our new (less than a century old) compulsory government school system keeps our children immature until a much later age than they used to be. Many homeschooling families allow their teenagers to do many things that government school families would think was beyond their maturity limit. While that may be true for the government school families, it's usually not true for the homeschooling families. Every family is different and every kid is different. I don't think her age makes much of a difference here. I doubt her parents would have let her go without being assured that she was a very competent sailor and was mature enough to handle emergency situations. I'm sure she was also outfitted with all of the necessary survival equipment etc... There comes a point when your children are grown and you have to let them tackle the world themselves. I'm not maligning families that choose government school or their children, but I've seen a lot of evidence showing that this point comes earlier for homeschooled children.

So, maybe they were homeschoolers. I know that the boy that set the current record just a year or two ago was a homeschooler.

I saw that too and I thought the same thing as you....NO WAY! Fortunately, she was found alive and safe, but there is still no way I would ever let my child do that.

No! Not in a million years would I allow my child to do this. They would have plenty of time when they are grown to do these types of things.

However, the fact that the girl recognized she was in trouble and activated the emergency beacons instead of trying to go on just break the record shows that she is very mature and capable. I still wouldn't let my child do it though.

It would depend on the maturity of my child. Although I would be sick with worry, I am not the type to hold my daughter back, shelter her from learning experiences.

My daughter would have nothing to do with a boat so I wouldn't have to worry about that aspect of it. She loves to swim but she is like me.....we don't do lakes and oceans.

My daughter does, however, have a dream to live and go to college in Italy for at least a year after high school graduation. That scares me to death but I'm not going to hold her back. I will do whatever is necessary to make sure she is safe and support her decisions.

No way!! I heard this story yesterday and immediately said, Nope...I'm all for gratification and pursuing a dream and making goals and all. But I couldn't do this....she would have to have another dream/goal. I'm sorry.

My answer is NO. did she have check in points? Anyway to communicate with the coast guard? Believe it or not there are still pirates in the open waters.

J.

I hadn't heard they found her until this post, YEA! My children are both still young, so I would have to say NO NO NO, I can't imagine letting a 16 year old of mine, boy or girl, doing that!

I'm not certain. I doubt it sincerely. I don't think a 16 year old child should be driving a car. I believe that most people give their kids way more freedom than they should have, way too early. But part of the reason I believe this is because of how much trouble teens get into.

If you raised your teen on boats, they were out in the middle of the ocean without access to drugs or alcohol, and they couldn't get distracted at the wheel by all their teen friends, then maybe it would be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Some kids maybe could handle it.

No way! This would not happen to my 16 year old. A parent should have been with this child. I think it is irresponsible of the parents to think it's a 16 year old is mature and knowledgeable enough to do this by themselves.

I'm glad the girl's fine.

No, I wouldn't let my kid do it.

I would not let her do it. While I understand she has been sailing her entire life and is a responsible young lady, my concern would be that at some points, she'd have to dock the sailboat and go ashore for supplies, etc. Many of the areas she's sailing through do not look kindly upon women doing things on their own, traveling about unescorted, etc. And let's face it, in most places, the docks are not located in the best part of town to begin with. I'd be very hesitant to let my daughter go alone in areas like this. When I was in college, I traveled around Europe as many college students do. However, I never went anywhere by myself, always in a group of friends. And many, many times, I was glad to have the relative safety of numbers - we ran across some really sketchy people I'd not have wanted to run across alone.

So in my opinion, this girl's parents did the wrong thing in letting her go on this trip alone - not because of the sailing part of it, but because she is a single woman alone in parts of the world where a single woman should probably not be traveling alone.

No but I'm about to send my 7 year old to a third world country without me, and I'm betting I'm in the minority of moms there. My mom sent me all around the world and I'm a better woman for it. It is a gift that I want to give that to my daughter and I thing she is going to be fine. When I moved out of the country to a developing country as a young woman, my mom cried and asked me not to go. It was the greatest experience of my life and resulted in my marriage, which is the absolute best thing that has ever happened to me.

My point is that while I cannot imagine doing that, I'm sure this young woman will be fearless and capable in a way that I am not. And I admire her for it. I would never do it myself, but then I don't sail and I know nothing about sailing, so who am I to judge?

Updated

No but I'm about to send my 7 year old to a third world country without me, and I'm betting I'm in the minority of moms there. My mom sent me all around the world and I'm a better woman for it. It is a gift that I want to give that to my daughter and I thing she is going to be fine. When I moved out of the country to a developing country as a young woman, my mom cried and asked me not to go. It was the greatest experience of my life and resulted in my marriage, which is the absolute best thing that has ever happened to me.

My point is that while I cannot imagine doing that, I'm sure this young woman will be fearless and capable in a way that I am not. And I admire her for it. I would never do it myself, but then I don't sail and I know nothing about sailing, so who am I to judge?

Her brother did the same route a few years before at 16. So I guess it's in their blood. Would you let your child learn to fly a plane a solo at 16? If they know what they are doing it shouldn't be an issue...scary yes, but you have to let them go at some point. I don't know about sailing around the world solo..but there are somethings I'd let my kids do.

haha i asked my husband this question yesterday after hearing the story. he said 'heck no!!'. thank goodness we're on the same page ;)

i think it can work out well (like that kid who climbed mt. everest) but seriously, i dont think my nerves could handle it. hopefully my son won't be so ambitious ;)

thank goodness they found the girl alive and well though!

if he/she had the proper training and interest, definitely yes.

Honestly, no. but other countries consider a 16 yr old to be more of an adult than we do. But I would be crazy with worry.

Yes, if I thought she was ready and mature enough. I traveled without my parents to Europe when I was 15 (with a couple of adults as contacts) and again at 17. It was an amazing journey and I grew a lot. I think you have to understand that not long ago in our country and in many parts of the world today, 16 is an adult. We just baby our children in this country, and to their detriment. In Europe, children are allowed to drink beer and sometimes wine at 16. They are treated like adults and they act like adults. I know it takes strength and courage to let your child grow up, but I do hope I'm able to do it--it would be to their advantage.

There's a reason we don't consider someone an adult until they are 18 and this is one of them. That's a social norm. It would also be a case for DEFACS here where I live, especially if she got lost. I believe, with my whole heart, that God gave children to the parents He did for a reason. I would not "judge, i.e. condemn" them but I do make judgements. We have to as parents. Obviously it was a bad idea because she got lost.....look at the time and effort and money put forth by others because these parents allowed this. Are they bad parents? I don't know. I just know that I wouldn't do it even if I thought my child was prepared.

M.

i dont wanna be the cause for my childs death (if)....reason: lettin her go somewhere without any adults or proffesionals with her. i would send her to mexico where my grandmother lives there i know she will be watched..so my ressponse is NEVER ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

no. there is no way i would let my 16 year old daughter do this. at 16 she would not be emotionally or mentally ready for something like this even if she was great at sailing. it has nothing to do with not letting a child fulfill their dream, it is about doing what God intended us to do as parents, protecting them and watching over them until they are of age to go out into the world.

maybe not something so extreme! lol. Maybe take a trip somewhere ... where i know she would be supervised and looked after.. but I would never allow her to travel out to sea completely alone. That's just NUTS!

It's not something anyone in our family would do. That being said, there are family's who love doing things like this and it's ok for them. We're not into hang gliding, parachuting or bungee jumping, either. There was a time (100-200 yrs ago) when 'send the b*****d off to sea' (sending boys 13-16 yrs old) was the thing to do and apprenticing was common and that's how people learned a trade that would be their livelihood for the rest of their lives. I just have one child. He's 11 yrs, and he's not itching to become a merchant marine. There's plenty of adventure and responsibility to be learned without him being in potentially life threatening situations. There's plenty that happens in life that you never plan for. I'd like to see him grow up and have a career and a family. To die in pursuit of some thrill seeking experience makes no sense to me.

I think it depends, to some extent, on the maturity levels of the child. But I do think that a 16-year-old is still a minor, and research shows that the brain development to regulate risk-taking behaviors does not fully mature until around age 25... so I would probably be a "hovering" mom in that case. I don't think you need to do things faster, younger. Yes, it makes for a great story, but it doesn't necessarily lead to great things for a child's future life and security. I don't agree with the parents who let their child try for this record, but I can see why people do this - people want their babies to read and write so early now, I'm really not surprised. I think the 16-year-old sounds like a really accomplished sailor, but this kind of competition is not necessary, or wise. Just my $.02 ^___^

I dont think it is up to us to judge this family. we have no idea what their lives are like. I would hope to think that they are loving caring parents that would never willingly and knowingly send their child anywhere if they were not prepared. Apparently their children are experienced sailers and the parents felth without reservation that it was something she could concur. I won't let my 5 year old walk across the street to grammies on her own, but others let their kids walk to school. Who knows their reasons, its not for me, but not for me to judge also. Where were the cridicts when the son sailed successfully around the world? Where were they when she was doing it successfully? Only do they come out when the unfortunate happens.

It's completely a double-edged sword.

As of today, she's safe and sound. She's an accomplished sailor from all accounts published, and though the beacon went off, she's been found alive and well.

IF she's able to continue and makes it safely on her quest, we'll all be applauding her (as was the case with the 13 year-old CA boy who just became the youngest person ever to scale Mount Everest).

IF she fails, we'll be critical of her parents allowing her to do this on her own.

Our society is full of double standards, and this is another situation where it can go either way.

I, however, believe strongly in letting kids be kids. I wouldn't encourage my kids to do something like this - I had to grow-up too quickly, and I'd change much of my younger years in hindsight. We all adore the 16 year-old Olympic gymnasts who move away from home at a young age to train in elite facilities and don't think twice.

Absolutely nooooooo way, but that's just me. Some people don't want to hold their kids back from anything, I on the other hand am super protective, I get nervous letting my child drive with others.
: )
So my answer is NO!

I read through quite a few responses so possibly I'm wrong, but I really thought I heard on the radio that this was all a publicity stunt...a la the "balloon boy" that was in the news a few months ago. I find it more despicable that the (if that's true) parents would exploite their child in such a way than if they had trained her and let her sail!

I did not hear this, yeah I think it is kinda crazy. i mean i want to support any dreams my child has...as long as it wont get them killed, why was she totally alone....they could have followed her in the boat next to her or something, right!?

If she had done it quietly and without a PR blitz-then fine. But she and her famlily put themselves out there for publicity and as a result countless people risked their lives to save her and tons of money was spent doing it. Ridicluous. And no-I would not pimp out my kid like that.