The key to achieve a successful Caribbean Yacht charter with children is simple: make them participate in the action, get them involved and put them in charge of some things. Don't underestimate their abilities. Do not assume they are too young to do this or that. Of course, if the child is under 4 or 5, there are things he just cannot do. However, you can make him believe and help him discretely, so that he will feel proud to be part of the crew. Here are some things I have experienced with my son over the years. From 3 to 6 years old * Explain everything that goes on on the boat and why. Simply saying NO, NO, No has no meaning. * Show and name the main parts of the boat. Explain what they do and how they work. * Occasionally ask him/her simple questions about what you explained. * In the dinghy, you may allow the child how to steer -obviously, you keep control at all times. Tell him that soon, he/she will be the dinghy Captain. That works wonders! * Take the child on your lap when you are steering the big boat (conditions permitting.) Explain what you are doing and watching. * Show a couple of very simple sailor knots, and make the child apply them in some situations. Create the situations if necessary. * Keep them involved, and congratulate him/her for every little achievement. * Have on board several picture books for children, relating to the current environment: fish and corals, stars and, of course boats. * Make sure that he/she helps cleaning and tidying his/her room every morning. The child has to understand very early on that a boat cannot be messy. Think we're crazy? Not so fast! You may be in for a big surprise. Kids learn fast and enjoy it. At that age, they will learn everything you will teach them. From 6 to 8 years old * Keep explaining everything that goes on on the boat, as well as the parts and their functions. Only now, you can be more specific and a little more technical. If the child is responding well, you can be even more technical. * Have your child near you when you are preparing your navigation for the next day. If he/she asks questions, explain. * When en-route, use a baby chart like the one given by some charter companies to show the child the navigation path and how what you see on land relates to the chart. * Have the child steer the big boat with you. Around 7/8 years-old, you can explain the effects of the wind in the sails. * Explain the compass and the wind direction indicator. * Keep him/her busy with the flag etiquette. * Put him/her in charge of something. For example, make the child a spotter: ask the child to help keep an eye on boats which could be on collision course. Explain how. * Show him/her how to coil as well as to do some more complicated knots. The bowline with the rabbit in and out of the hole is a winner. Make the child use the knots he/she knows. My son was doing a perfect monkey fist at 7. * Ask the child to help cranking the small winches or tailing/coiling some small lines. If he can't do it, help discretely. If several crews are cranking hard or pulling sheets (during a tack for example) make the child participate. * In the dinghy, your child should be able to steer by himself (with you on board -of course! - and keeping one hand on the tiller just in case.) He is now the official Dinghy Captain. Get him/her the T-shirt. * Put him/her in charge of making sure younger children wear their life jacket. Of course, supervise this discretely. * A great book to buy for tons of kids' activities while sailing is "Fun Afloat" Safety Considerations and Other Topics * Physical safety is the main priority when kids are on a sailboat. I personally have 3 simple rules on my boat: a) all children under 12 must wear a life jacket when on deck; b) no child goes on the foredeck when sailing; c) if the weather gets really too rough, kids go down below. I strongly suggest investing in a real, properly fitting life jacket, with a solid, easily caught grab-handle. For extra safety, a harness is also a good idea. But remember: none of these devices, however good they are, can be a substitute for parent supervision. * Take time to inspire a good amount of respect for the water and the wind. Explain how these forces can bring a great deal of harm in no time. Do not scare children, but remind them that falling into the water from a boat is not the same as falling into a pool. The water may be colder or deeper. Some children understand this instinctively while others need to be reminded. * Give the kids time to explore the boat while at the dock and start using boat terms such as head, galley, boom and cockpit. Show them where the handgrips and handrails are. Teach them the sentence: One hand for you, one hand for the boat. Have them practice moving around the boat while wearing their PFD. Show them how to use the head. * When you are having fun on the boat, it will be contagious and children will have fun too. So avoid screaming or children will always associate boating with screaming. The same goes for panicking, or being grumpy. So if you stay calm, fun and enthusiastic, it will reflect on them. * Let them be children. Do not make being on a charter cruise synonym of constant work. Let them do whatever they want, play down below etc. That is, if you want them to come back when they grow up! * Keep the first day sail short-a 4-hour sail might be short for you, but not for a child. And make sure to have plenty of snacks and water to keep children happily fed and hydrated. * Of course, you can make your own rules and experiment much more than what I describe. But following those few guidelines will guarantee you many happy charters and the fabulous reward of seeing happy little sailors.