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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be upset that he didn't respect my wishes about taking my children out on open water

160 replies

twirlytwit · 16/06/2019 08:36

Long story short... FIL lives in small harbour side town on south coast. There is a walled off tidal pool, with a promenade walk way which we've witness children practicing sailing in previously.
Visiting FIL for Father's Day, 2.5 hour journey by car, happy to do so, relationships are good.
He's been keen to take the children out on his two man sea kayak and small dinghy with a motor for a while. I've never really been keen - kids are 4 and 6 now so I felt too young last year to either appreciate it or do so safely.
DH and children had to go without me Fri night as I had to work Sat morning.. then follow on by train, length of trip meaning I didn't arrive until 1600.
Before going I had a chat with DH and said very clearly that I was only comfortable with him taking the children on such a small boat within this walled harbour area and organised wetsuits for them to go. I even said to him I would consider it a serious breach of trust if he ignored my wishes. Also mentioned in a text to FIL re organising wetsuits that I wasn't keen for them to go in open water.
So yesterday I arrive (Sat) the kids meet me at the train station with DH, have already been out on the boats. First thing my daughter says was 'Mummy it tipped up and I drowned'. Clearly she hadn't actually drowned! But it turns out on questioning my husband they went out in the main harbour because it was too far to walk to the walled in bit. He then said he didn't know what I was taking about about the walled in bit anyway and was generally snotty/ignorant about it.
Turns out they went out in the general harbour area, not where I asked. In the dinghy at first which did not work (motor issues), had to row it back. Whilst FIL went back for oars husband had to secure the boat by hanging off an abandoned vessel in the harbour (for long enough that's he felt his arms might fall off - his words) with two kids bobbing about in it. Then they tried the kayak and managed overload and overturn it. Thank god they had buoyancy aids on. Kids like water but not competent swimmers (weekly lessons, but daughter still in little pool). Not used to the sea. It was cold & choppier than they thought it would be, but they continued. They failed to do something up properly on the kayak and water got in so apparently 'not their fault' it was overloaded. Kids a bit upset by the shock of falling into the water but the adults shoved them back onto the kayak and had to swim in back to shore. Got them back safely but I feel by luck rather then judgement.
Not a good introductory experience for the children. I told my husband that I was cross he'd ignored my wishes but didn't wish to spoil the weekend.
Then it turns out FIL spent the afternoon fixing the motor so they can go back out today. I've just said no. Kids not even keen, yesterday put them off. Son (6) said to
Me 'daddy lied and said we were in the safe harbour bit you told us about'.
AIBU? DH now has a strop on because I've 'embarrassed him' and don't trust him and his father enough to take the kids out safely.
Alternative is we leave early as I'm sticking with no today, it's horrible weather and I don't trust them to stay in the safe area - so left it as his choice.
Am I being unreasonable and spoiling their fun? I'm not a sailor or water goer so outside of my comfort zone.

OP posts:
BackwardsGoing · 16/06/2019 09:52

YY to the person who pointed out there's a difference between life jackets and buoyancy aids. They need life jackets.

BertrandRussell · 16/06/2019 09:53

We are a water based family.

That all sounds completely unacceptable.

I don’t normally think that one parent has a right to veto what the other one does but in this case you absolutely must stop this happening ever again.

But whatever you do, don’t involve the children in the dispute. And have the dispute with your dp, not your fil. But have it. And soon.

Tolleshunt · 16/06/2019 09:54

I'd be having DH's guts for garters. What the fuck did he think he was doing? It sounds like his and FIL's competence in no way matches up to their confidence.

And why is he 'embarrassed' in front of his own father? And why is he too immature to be able to admit when he has done wrong?

Time for a serious chat. They need to realise how they jeopardised the kids and stop their silly pushing to take them out until they are fully competent to do so, the kids have life jackets and can properly swim. I'd be telling DH he bucked his ideas up in a nano second, or I'd be taking the kids home, no matter how embarrassing it was for him.

Schoolchoicesucks · 16/06/2019 09:54

4 and 6 sounds incredibly young to me for this kind of activity, even if they were confident swimmers.
And your DH and FIL don't sound as though they have effectively managed all the risks.
If the 6 year old was keen, would there be a supervised group activity your dh and fil could take them to join in?

LellyMcKelly · 16/06/2019 09:55

Your husband and father in law are idiots who can’t be trusted to keep your children safe. I’d be furious. Your husband deserves to feel embarrassed, especially for asking little children to lie so he wouldn’t get into trouble for taking them on a reckless ill thought out activity.

Newuseroftheweek · 16/06/2019 09:56

Long story short? God Save us from the long version,.

Honestly if you are going to day long story short, actually make it short!

gingerbiscuits · 16/06/2019 09:59

No, no, no! Stick to your guns - you're in the right - your DH & FIL are clearly incompetent! What kind of father risks the safety of his young babies just to prove a point & show off with his dad?? Idiot!!

TheWernethWife · 16/06/2019 10:01

FFS New there was no need for that. The OP is very, very upset.

BicycleDynamo · 16/06/2019 10:02

I agree that this was irresponsible and lucky that it didn't end badly.

I agree too to putting your foot down today but also later on have a conversation with your DH about a safe way to get your children on to the water, something that he'll actually stick to. Must involve supervision ratios, training, life jackets, suitable boats with backup, agreed sailing areas for different age and swimming competency, agreement over sea conditions, and I'd probably set a condition that he watch every series of Saving Lives At Sea too. Would you also be willing to get involved, maybe see if there are family days at the local sailing club?

LakieLady · 16/06/2019 10:03

FIL sounds reckless to the point of idiocy. No oars on board to use in case of engine problems? Twat. And DH is no better: do you think he may have been reluctant to appear like a worry wart to his DF?

And another big yes to life jackets, NOT bouyancy aids.

Mind you, I'm a bit of a wuss. I don't like going out in anything that hasn't got a keel, following a scare in a GP14 on Ullswater, when the wind really got up. I felt about as safe in that as I would in my washing-up bowl.

Get them some lessons with a trained, qualified instructor to build their confidence.

JaneEyreAgain · 16/06/2019 10:04

The boat should never have gone out on the water without oars even if the motor was fully functioning. Your DH and FIL were reckless and if that had happened where I live, it is illegal.

RandomMess · 16/06/2019 10:06

So glad other have said they should have had proper life jackets on not buoyancy aids AngryAngryAngryAngry FFS!

Spent my entire childhood in and out of kayaks and canoes, very competent instructor parent. I can't ever remember going out in the sea in kayak with him, abroad in the canoe when we were much older yes. Always life jackets and I could swim before I started school.

Utterly stupid and ignorant of them Angry

I was taught about how to spot rip tides etc and still have a healthy fear/respect for water.

springydaff · 16/06/2019 10:10

and if that had happened where I live, it is illegal.

Oh how I wish they could be prosecuted. Could you research that op? Eg gross negligence.

BertrandRussell · 16/06/2019 10:10

Op- they are still a bit young- but see if there are Sea Scouts local to you and get them on the waiting list. Some of them have Cub packs.

cunningartificer · 16/06/2019 10:18

You need to talk this through later with less heat. YANBU but your husband won’t hear if he’s defensive and thinks he’s protecting his dad. It’s not the weather today and children not keen after yesterday should shut the immediate issue down, then you can talk through the longer term plans in a less pressured situation. Definitely worth pointing out that swimming competence is key for participating in water based activity!

Whatdoyouknowwhenyouknownowt · 16/06/2019 10:20

The water temp at the moment is still what the open water society term Baltic.

Have a google of the rnli advice & show your H.

Really not good.

Amibeingdaft81 · 16/06/2019 10:21

Odd the incompetence
Bearing in mind you FIL lives there and presumably your dh very familiar and grew up there?

Prior to the incompetence i thought you were unreasonable if your dh is very familiar and experienced and your fil was experienced. But turns out that they aren’t competent so definitely not a return trip

cccameron · 16/06/2019 10:22

Some typical over the top reactions here. OP, Google summer sailing courses and send your dcs on one

A 6&4 year old would not be allowed on a sailing course. I live by the sea in the UK and have done so abroad and the minimum age has always been 8. The OP's children aren't even competent swimmers. I don't think I could get over my DH putting my children at risk like that. Especially when we had explicitly discussed it beforehand and the fact that he put their lives at risk because he basically could not be arsed to go to the walled area. It would be hard for me to trust him again.

k1233 · 16/06/2019 10:23

Ok, before reading the whole post, I was thinking you were overreacting. After reading it - no way. What they did was so dangerous and I think your hubby realises that and is partly why he's being petulant, as you were right and he was trying to make the point that he was right.

PeoniesarePink · 16/06/2019 10:24

OP I'd be absolutely furious.

Parenting is about trust - your DH has massively broken that, and by doing so, he put two very young children who can't swim at risk. It makes fuck all difference if it was in a harbour or not.

I'd sit him and FIL down today and say how utterly disappointed and angry you are that your wishes were ignored. You can't change that this happened, but I'd want a cast iron guarantee that they aren't going to do this ever again.

ComeAndDance · 16/06/2019 10:28

I am the type of person who does that sort f things. As an ADULT.
Your DH and FIL failed on two fronts

1- they took two young children to do something that they (DH and FIL) werent good enough to do. The engine that fails is one thing. It can happen (even though for it to fils so quickly, I would say it hadnt been looked after properly). But the kayak? It was up to them to realise if it was overloaded. It was up to them to evaluate if it was likely to end up with dcs in the water with that sort of sea. And it was up to them to evaluate if the dcs would be able to have the 'right reactions' in the a kayak. They failed on all account to assess their abilities and the dcs abilties. And that makes the whole thing dangerous.

2- taking young children like this to do more 'exreme' activities has to be dne the right way. There is nothing better to ensure that a child will NEVER do than push them way over their limits and scare them. At 4yo and 6yo, it is unlikely that they will be feeling 100% confident in water. Even with some boyancy aid, having water all over your face, finding yourself in the water when you dont expect it etc... is going way over their limits and pass any confort zone. Going kayaking on a calm sea with no current etc... is one thing. Doing it in rougher weather is another.

And I say that as someone who has done many things with y dcs that would considered dangerous by most people.

ComeAndDance · 16/06/2019 10:30

Some typical over the top reactions here. OP, Google summer sailing courses and send your dcs on one

Acyually they wouldnt be allowed to do such a course even in places where there is no tides/warm weather etc... because they re not competent swimmers. Pushing them to do that woud be dangeorus and the best way to ensure they would never want to set their feet on a boat or n a swimming pool.

ComeAndDance · 16/06/2019 10:33

Hold on, Ive just realised that when the OP was talking about boyancy aid, she might not have meant a life jacket.

You should NEVER take children who cant swim on a boat, regradless of the type of boat and including a kayak wo a life jacket. Full stop.

ThatssomebadhatHarry · 16/06/2019 10:34

A competent sailor knows and respects the dangers in open water and does not push the boundaries. Your fil and dh are not to be trusted. Don’t care about hurting their feelings when it comes to your children.

user87382294757 · 16/06/2019 10:36

Yes I think they should have proper life jackets. Not buoyancy aids. You can get lightweight ones which wine they touch the water react to the pressure, they are really good.

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