When was the last time we went ashore? I lose track sometimes when we are at anchor. It’s quiet (aside from the wind), peaceful, the water temp is perfect, we have food, we make fresh water, we have power, we have internet, and we’ve got plenty to read. We are an island.
When the kids were six or seven years old I remember Ali and I starting to wonder if they would ever read. We read to them daily, and before bed every night, and they seemed perfectly content with that. We knew by that age most kids were having to stand up in front of the rest of their class and read out loud. Our philosophy was that they would read when they were ready, and they would do it because they really wanted to read, not because they were being forced to.
Fortunately, that played out. Ouest started in one day when she was eight or nine, and has been a voracious reader ever since, to the point that it frustrated Lowe because she would be content to read for hours while he was itching for a playmate. Recently, though, the shift began.
There is nothing better than having two kids anxious to get back to their books.
Yeah, we cheat at Scrabble with an online dictionary.
This kayak is only a hundred bucks, but is proving to be a much bigger asset. So far, at least, it’s holding up both as a decent kayak, and as a giant floaty toy. The kids often hang out on top of it and just talk for an hour out of earshot of the ‘rents.
The wind here is absolutely relentless. We are really tired of it. It’s so windy all day you can hardly hear the person next to you talking.
We have 10.5′ boat length/person on Bumfuzzle. This cruise ship has about .1’/person. Poor suckers.
They probably don’t even have a swing that hangs off the side of the boat.
This is what our 800 watts of solar power amp hours top out at during the day. Power is not an issue for us. My only wish is that we could run the watermaker off of the inverter. Alas, we have to run the little Honda generator for that.
The new swim platform has proven to be an excellent investment.
There are books tucked away everywhere on the boat.
22 Comments on “Aruba’s Other Island”
I absolutely love your approach to teaching your kids. I’m curious how they pick up reading without even a minimal instruction. There is a book about a school that uses your approach. It’s called Summerhill: A Radical Approach to Child Rearing. I read it years ago and basically the philosophy is that a child will learn when they are ready. You guys are proving that is true! Great job!
Re the reading. I homeschool and it’s like magic. I read, read, read to them from the time they are born and provide books galore and like magic they start reading themselves one day 😁. Then they are off on millions of adventures without any tears or pressure along the way. Washington is the last state to still have a compulsory school age start date of 8. It’s been that way since the 1800’s and we homeschoolers are fighting hard to keep it that way so that we aren’t req to start declaring kids and assessing at age 5. Most children learn far better with the freedom to play and be kids and learn at their own pace than sitting in classrooms from the time they are 3 or 4. I’ve always admired your approach to parenting and the joyful life you have created for your kids. They will be some of the best educated out there!
Looks so fun and relaxing. Glad you are back doing adventures on the water.
so…scrabble. the best way to play ever is to, a. look up words with abandon. you still need to play the best word, and that way everyone learns them as you go without having to guess if they’re “real” or not. and, b. re-use the blank as much as you want. if it’s your turn, and you have the letter in your rack that corresponds to the blank that has been played on the board, then trade it out, take the blank and put it in your rack, and use it as desired. our family house rules. you’re welcome.
I’ve always thought that should be an official rule for the blanks!
Our kids in their younger years grew up on a boat also, and could read for hours. They loose the time for it if they return to living a “normal” life and school, and I daresay internet, but given the opportunity and time, they will always read a book. Do you have many options for second hand books or swapping?
Didn’t you say Ali forbid jumping off the top deck?
You crack me up! Yes, it was!
One jump, one time only!
I’m happy I can be a part of the kid’s love for reading. I just wish I could get books to them more than just twice a year. I will probably have to resort to Amazon accounts. The Texas Digital Book Lady just doesn’t have the same ring. ❤️
No it doesn’t but it’s still awesome.
We love you TX Book Lady!
You two are the reason why I started reading recreationally again. Your family is the reason I eagerly await your next post. And in some small way, your blog is the reason why I sail around the San Francisco Bay, imagining I’m off on some Bumfuzzle-like adventure.
Thanks for that.
When the wind dies down, where to?
Reading to your kids is the best way for them to become readers. Even once they start to read on their own; they still enjoy being read to. Do you search out used bookstores in your travels? Do local libraries offer visitor privileges? I am so grateful for our library system in Michigan. Most libraries belong to consortiums that share across county lines. And then we have melcat which is a statewide sharing program. Sometimes it takes a few days or weeks; but almost any title is available with some patience. My Grandchildren, 2, 7, 9, are all readers thanks to parents who read to them. (The two year old loves being read to and will sit and turn pages in a book “reading” to herself) Reading is a wonderful gift to give a child.
All…is as it should be! Goodonyas!
My grandchildren have been read to every night since they were infants and it continues to this day. The oldest is now a senior in high school, may be valedictorian, and is headed to engineering school in the fall. I’ve never been worried about your kids’ education.
Can I make a book recommendation for your kids? Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World. It’s a true story and any animal lover would like it. I was first thinking of Ouest, but Lowe would probably like it, and you too, Ali!
The picture with the Sunfish-looking sailboats makes me want to run out and buy a used Sunfish. 🙂
The Travelall can handle it, Blizz.
Happy Easter! Hope the Easter Bunny can make it out to your boat to deliver some treats! So glad you’re back on the water-much prefer the blue to dusty brown pix. Agree with all comments about your relaxed approach to reading! I wish when I taught primary school more parents were like youse! Have fun!
“The wind here is absolutely relentless. We are really tired of it. It’s so windy all day you can hardly hear the person next to you talking.”
Maybe get yourselves some kiteboarding lessons? The gear required is minimal and you would get plenty of opportunities on your travels. Just logged my 45th day kiting this season here in La Ventana BCS and still not tired of it. The wind starts up here around 11 am and drops off around 5pm, perfecto, otherwise it would bother us as well!
That was actually our big plan for Aruba. Unfortunately, it turns out that all the kiteboarding schools are on another side of the island, next to the resorts, and transportation around Aruba isn’t all that great. The logistics involved in executing our kiteboarding plan thwarted us.