Afton, Stillwater Area - Family w/10yr girl

A 10 yr old with a phone, really?

1. "partly because we spoil her"

2. "She is completely addicted to it"

See, now that wasn't that hard to figure out now was it?

He was asking if anyone in his area had kids and wanted to boat with him not for parenting advice. I'll ask you the same question I do my daughter when she does what you just did. Why are you answering a question that wasn't asked?

OP, the original question is one that resonates with my family. We too have a young daughter and although she loves the boat she certainly has the most fun when our boat friends with kids join us. I hope you find some boat friends because like it or not kids need kid time no matter how well behaved they are sometimes.
 
I've re-read the thread, and I think what Techmitch was trying to point out is the fact that we (myself included when my child was younger) treat (or spoil) our children one way for 6 days a week and then expect them to act differently on the 7th day.

Adjustments are tough for young kids. Whenever the first hint of boredom sets in they get, well, "grumpy". Then the day heads south for everyone.

I feel certain that you will indeed find some rafting partners that your whole family can enjoy. Therefor making the entire boating experience better & longer lasting for everyone.
 
I've re-read the thread, and I think what Techmitch was trying to point out is the fact that we (myself included when my child was younger) treat (or spoil) our children one way for 6 days a week and then expect them to act differently on the 7th day.

Yes and that may be the case I just didn't like that he wasn't helping to answer the OP's question and instead used it to take a run at this parenting. We all spoil our kids and I certainly won't take the holier than thou attitude towards anyone for it. Boating is the best thing I've ever done for our family and we have enjoyed the greatest memories in the last 9 years since my daughter was born.

I would however say from experience my daughter would choose having friends with her while boating 100% of time vs parents or other adults so the OP's question resonated with me and I give him kudos for reaching out to our group to see if anyone in his area wanted to meet up with similar interests.

Instead of answers he got a parenting lesson.
 
We purchased our 310 Sundancer with every expectation of sleeping on it most summer weekends and weekdays. We quickly realized that we drastically underestimated our 10 year old daughters grumpiness when boating without friends. Weve brought some of her friends, but are looking for others who boat.

Anyone out there with similar age girls who are looking for river socials next spring?
join the St. Croix Yacht Club, there are plenty of kids that age..safe beach and like minded boaters
 
I have an only child (9 year old) who gets super grumpy exactly like OPs daughter when there are no kids at the lake. I suspect those judging the OPs parenting have no kids or children with siblings.

This is likely a normal only child grumpy display of emotions.

My daughter has no phone; She’s not allowed to text because she doesn’t understand privacy and boundaries yet, not because I’m trying not to spoil her or I’m some kind of great parent. She’s super grumpy when there are no other kids to the point where it can ruin the weekend if you take it personally. These kids seem to crave contact with other kids in ways we don’t anticipate if we grew up with siblings.

Try it get with her on her level and play with her like you’re also a kid. Bring her friends more often. The Yacht club suggestion is above is great advice.

Good luck and please report back what worked!
 
Thanks all for the positive advice. We are all looking forward to this summer on the boat. New friends, new places, awesome memories.

To be clear, we meet and mingle with many. Just haven’t found a friend for the young one. We plan to be on the St Croix 4-5 days a week. It’s an invite regardless of your boat.
 
We're in the St. Paul area and go to Kini or Bay by Prescott, every once and awhile. I usually go through lock #2. We have a 15yr, but she's always been pretty good and enjoys the water, even when she was at that age. We also try to invite a friend for her.

Anyway, do you think we'll ever get on the river? :( My marina is currently flooded out.
 
Our kids are in their 20's now. We do like the St.Croix river a lot. Boat was slipped at Boom Site north of Stillwater, we're at Kings Cove this year (closer to home). My kids all liked to bring friends too. We also have the 310 (1990 version). Like some of the replies said, lots of family groups on the Kinni, as for the islands in Hudson, that's an older crowd (our 24 yr old son likes that area).

Looking forward to hitting the water when the levels drop.
 
We have 3 kids; 16, 11 and 8 so we can relate. Our 16 year old told us he's not a big fan of the boat so we don't make him come with us. Last year he went to FL when we took off on our mini flotilla. We sometime meet up with families that have kids their age which makes it much more fun for them but i find when its just us i have to become entertainment director which i don't mind at all. I dinghy them to the beach when they want, we bring kites, fishing poles and water toys to keep them entertained. This year we upgraded from a 320 and the 2 younger ones specifically asked for their own beds and no more "sleeping on vinyl". We're looking forward to them having their own space which will hopefully help us through the teenage years. We picked up a center console dinghy this year so my 11 yr (daughter) is really looking forward to learning how to operate it this season. So in short when we are out i'm generally entertaining the kids for most of the day then catering to the Admiral in the evenings (but that's nobody's business!). I actually don't mind it at all as that is why we got into boating....time well spent!
 
Capt. Rusty is correct. They may not show it, but they're making memories even when we think they're bored silly. She'll probably come around and start expressing an interest in the years to come.

I have 15 & 16yr old boys. The younger one has always loved the boat and rarely passes up a chance to go out with me. The older one checked out for about 5 years - no interest. His friends loved to go out so he'd go out a few times a year because his friends wanted to go out.

Things change quick though. The oldest will be 17 in a few months and he was asking me just last week if we could try to get on the boat at least 2x a week this summer. I didn't want to look visibly shocked at his comment so I gave an enthusiastic "Sure!". But on the inside I was thinking "WTF??, where did that come from?" He followed it up by saying how much he loves being on the boat. Jeez, all these years I thought he hated it. He just didn't love it as much as me and he needed a few years to spend with his friends on land. Little did I know that he was making his own memories the few times he did go out.
 
Should be Friday. Hoping so as we plan to overnight Saturday!
We will be staying over night down there on Saturday with the kids. Feel free to come on over to D-dock and have a drink. S-58
 
Surprise! Not in yet. Itll be next week, but we cant make it the weekend of the 17th. Following weekend.
 
This is one of my biggest concerns. My kids are 11 and 8. We will be buying a boat in the spring of 2020. Ideally a 330 which should be big enough for the 4 of us plus a friend each if they want to bring them. I will definitely have a Nintendo onboard just Incase of boredom. Neither of them have a phone yet and I’m hoping to keep it that way for a couple of more years.
 
Well, we're in the water now. Kids are already planning the first get away. Told them that the water is cold and high so most of the islands are just tree tops. Hope your kids have a blast this summer!!
 
Ran down to the boat during lunch today to fill in a gauge hole with epoxy. The launch ramp is still closed and it looks like they were working on the electrical lines going to the dock. Lot's of damage at Watergate. :(
 

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