Would you take a 4-year-old and 3-month-old on this boat trip?

[Anon501178]

My daughter (9) won a free return boat trip (4 people) at a local event recently, which needs to be used by the end of the month.

However, we also have a 4 (nearly 5yo) and a 3mo baby.

Wondering whether to take them or not and interested in others opinions.

It is quite a small boat (see photo)
I know older ones would have life jackets but not sure if they would have one for a little baby! It says babies can travel but just abit unsure whether it's a good idea.

4yo might well be fine but just abit worried incase she gets bored and moves about and wobbles the boat or something! (It says its a 45 min trip each way with a stop in the middle for lunch)

If either or both younger ones don't come me and DH would do a trip with eldest each and swap in the middle, then all get together for lunch part.

Not sure if image attached so have tried again....

No, I wouldn't take a child workout a life vest on that boat. Your four year old would be alright though I reckon.

I would not take a 3mos old on a boat like that.

I think your plan at the end - swapping between you and DH, meeting for lunch, sounds best.
The 4yr old will probably be ok on the boat (and enjoy it) and obs both children should be wearing life-vests.

Not a chance I would take a 4 year old or a 3 month old on that boat. I wouldn't be wild about the 9 year old going, but if I could be certain I was there too, I'd probably do it.

Oldet childten yes. Not the baby. (And 4yo only if one adult is only supervising them, not the the other child.)

4 year old yes but not a baby.

I’d take the 4yo and when we did similar with a 2 and 4yo we bought life jackets which they wore, and ensured they were supervised 100% of the time by us. They found it a bit fun and a bit boring. I wouldn’t take a 3mo though.

I agree with the others.

Does the boat go in the sea, a lake or something else?

I would ring them up say your situation and see what they suggest

Personally that feels stressful with a baby and also no life jacket so no I wouldn’t

Can you go with another school Mum and one of the 9 year olds friends? No little people and good company then!

Could you get a babysitter for the baby? The 4 year old would be fine. We take our 2 year old out on our boat all the time (with a life jacket!) and he loves it.

We had a similar boat trip, and the 3mth old had baby jacket. That said unless it was one adult per child- then no (we were one-2-one)

I would get a babysitter for lo and take the older 2

A 4 year old maybe if there were 2 adults. You really need one per child in an emergency and neither can be trying to keep a baby afloat. I’d almost be inclined to send Dh and dc9 and friends or family. Would ILs be interested or Dh’s friend with a similar aged dc?

Absolutely no way!

That's a hard no.
Gift it to someone else.
X

I'd take the 9 year old, but not the others unless the 4 year old has shown a real desire to go in a boat. I think the 4 year old would be fine if they can sit still, but they won't get a lot from it unless they actually love sailing.

No I think 45 minutes each way with a four year old and holding a baby in a boat like that sounds like no fun at all!

Yes providing life jackets for all are available and if sea going only if flat calm otherwise your plan B sounds perfect.

Agree also you need a 1:1 ratio for the kids

Take the 9 year old and a couple of her friends (or one friend and another parent). Or you and her dad go with her and get a babysitter for the youngest two. I don’t think this is an appropriate family trip with the little ones included.

I agree with the suggestion of the 9 year old inviting a friend or two. It's her prize so it would be nice to let her enjoy it without the little ones.

I would take the 9 year old and invite a good friend and their parent along. DH stays at home with 4 year old and baby.

You need a minimum 1:1 ratio with the kids.
Can't a friend go with you, maybe a friend and their child?

The children getting cold /bored would be my biggest worry tbh