steve1 5 #1 May 20, 2003 I jumped with a friend named Jim this past weekend. He included me on a family jump with his daughter and son-in-law while the snapped photos in free-fall. It was a fun time with Jim's wife and grandkids waiting on the ground. I just wonder why you don't see more of this today. I've been pushing my daughters somewhat to start jumping. The oldest has made a tandem. My wife has no desire at all to jump, but allows me to have fun skydiving with my Pals. I've kind of got mixed feelings about getting my kids jumping though. I don't want them to get hurt or killed, yet I want them to experience the freedom and fun our sport has to offer. We've done a lot of adventuresome things together and I'd love to jump with them. I just want it to be their decision and not just something they have to do to please "Old Dad". I also don't want to expose them to all the crudeness that are at some boogies and DZ's, even though my daughters are old enough to handle it. Jim took his daughter to her first boogie (Lost Prairie) when she was still a teenager. I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that. I know Bill Booth banned his daughters from the drop zone, when they were younger. Maybe they are still banned. So I was just wondering what your opinion is on the subject. Can jumping be a family sort of thing?.......Steve1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakydiver 0 #2 May 20, 2003 "I don't want them to get hurt or killed, yet I want them to experience the freedom and fun our sport has to offer." Don't let them play baseball or soccer, I've seen a death in each sport. Don't let them ski or snowboard, I've seen more than one death in each sport. "I also don't want to expose them to all the crudeness that are at some boogies and DZ's, even though my daughters are old enough to handle it." That's life unfortunately and while I whole heartedly agree with you that some boogies and DZs have MANY crude people walking around (hell I'm one of them), generally, these people will care for one of theirs more than in just about any other sport out there. If you personally knew me beyond the partying, you would see that I am indeed a caring individual with only a desire to see new jumpers flourish down whatever path they choose. I know two family's that have multiple members involved in the sport and because there parents did a great job of raising them they make the right decisions in what to participate in and what not to, in how to carry themselves and how not to. Its not the DZ thats going to corrupt, its lack of parenting - ask any family counselor this. I find, and especially at boogies like Lost Prarie, that while there is quite a bit of "crudeness" as you put it walking around at night, the whole ambiance of the boogie has something to offer for everyone. What is wrong with a little nudity? Nothing. Beer drinking after the last load? Nothing. May I even go so far as to suggest that toakin on a spliff won't ruin someone if they've been raised to have larger aspirations in life than to become a full time stoner. The people at a boogie like LP represent ALL WALKS OF LIFE, there are young and old, outrageous and conservative, but the bottom line is that IMHO they are ALL GREAT people. Good luck! -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." -- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,148 #3 May 20, 2003 My son is 19, so I know where you're coming from. I won't pay for a tandem or first jump for him, because unless he wants it badly enough to allocate some money for it, I'll wonder. He could do it if he wanted to badly enough; right now his car is a bigger priority. The other thing is that he's sort of comfortable dealing with me as a separate adult one-to-one. But when I make lewd jokes outside of certain very well-defined contexts, he gets (rightly) uncomfortable. Moms just aren't supposed to say some things. If he were to jump, he'd almost certainly hang out with a different crowd at the DZ. Not because he hates me, but because then he'd be able to establish relationships on his own, rather than as a part/reflection/whatever of me. Crudeness? I'm sure he says things that are just as crude as most people at the DZ. Just not around me, normally. And even there he makes me look twice sometimes with what he says... Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakydiver 0 #4 May 20, 2003 "But when I make lewd jokes outside of certain very well-defined contexts, he gets (rightly) uncomfortable. Moms just aren't supposed to say some things." Your son is 19, you skydive, that must mean you are a pretty cool mother. I'm sure he must realize that somewhere insdie and not really get that uncomfortable when you act "real". -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." -- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dreamsville 0 #5 May 20, 2003 Of my friends who are skydivers, one has a nine-year-old who mountain-bikes with his dad. Just the other weekend, I asked little Cody if he wanted to skydive when he was old enough. He smiled and said yes. He has been to the DZ a number of times and done observer rides a bunch. Another buddy has a daughter in college with 200+ jumps (he has 2200), and they've got his wife outnumbered. Some days we all skydive/pack together while she is elsewhere waiting for the last jump/beer (but they are good about getting home). Another one jumps with us, and politely insists when she gets home that, since she is interested in their hobbies, the husband and kids can watch just one of her videos from the day's jumping. After watching the one required video, the family scatters (whuffos, hmmphm).| I don't drink during the day, so I don't know what it is about this airline. I keep falling out the door of the plane. Harry, FB #4143 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,148 #6 May 20, 2003 Quote Your son is 19, you skydive, that must mean you are a pretty cool mother. I'm sure he must realize that somewhere insdie and not really get that uncomfortable when you act "real". He does. And it's really not that uncomfortable. But the last time he came over to the neighbor's to pick me up (it was Mom night) and I was telling a dirty joke (hey, it was all girls!), he really did get a little uncomfortable. And the last time he said "Fuck you" and I said "not in this lifetime" (it just slipped out) he was REAL taken aback. Understood, but he said Mom! It has to do with roles of opposite-gender parents. Frankly, there are times when I get uncomfortable when my 85-year-old father reminisces a little too specifically. There's a piece of kids that emotionally want to know that their parents made love just exactly enough times to have each kid There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakydiver 0 #7 May 20, 2003 Hey I hear yah, and again may I just say you sound like a very very cool mother! Bottom line is, as you've said, and as I've said, crudeness is everywhere, but finding a family like one can find on a DZ isn't. BTW - if my son or daughter ever sayz "Fuck You" I'll just take their rig away -- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." -- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casch 0 #8 May 20, 2003 My mom and I both started skydiving at the same time. I don't know how far she has gone, I don't think she's on to freefall yet...anyway...even though she is probably the COOLEST mom in the world, it really drives me nutz when she sticks to me like a fly when at the DZ. I like to wander around and talk to different people, get on some good loads etc. But I feel so weird when she follows me around, smoking, and trying to be in all the conversations I'm trying to have with other people....it's like, "Oh and by the way, if you didn't think I was strange enough...meet my mom!"...I dunno...It's probably just me. I also have one of the lewdest moms...she's constantly sending me raunchy jokes via e-mail. When we go to restraunts she enjoys telling more raunchy jokes fairly loudly, we often get looks from the other people in the building...hehe. That doesn't bother me though, I enjoy BS'ing with my mom, there aren't many moms like that around. I like having that open communication, it makes it easier to talk about other things. I doubt many guys here went up to their mom and ask what she thought about you having sex with your girlfriend! One of my Ex's and I had been talking about taking that next step, and I felt it was important to get my mom's take on the subject. Her exact, or near exact words were "If you love her, then go ahead. Do what feels good. But don't have sex just to have sex." We never did go to the next step, but I felt better knowing that I wouldn't have totally creeped out my mom if she had found out on her own. It's important to have that open communication I think. And it sounds like you've done a great job Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ERICCONNELLY 0 #9 May 21, 2003 Right on.. My son (at 18 months old) has been at the DZ since he was 2 weeks old. He now wears a protec, goggles and puts on his backpack, then walks around with a practice rip cord saying ARCH-REACH-PULL. Pretty damn cute Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brisco 0 #10 May 21, 2003 My son and I started skydiving together not quite one year ago. My first tandem was a father's day gift from him. Since then we both continued training, but at different dz's (he lives in Florida, me in North Carolina). Just this past weekend I took a short vacation to Florida and we finally got to make our first jumps together and it was an awesome experience! He's coming up here over July 4th weekend for more family jumps and I can't wait! While watching a video of one of our jumps, a couple of other young skydivers commented on how they would love to jump with their dads. Brisco Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bunge 0 #11 May 21, 2003 all my siblings except one, and a nephew, and a cousin have made multiple tandems . I am the only one who has gone as far as to get licensed, but we do enjoy spending days at the DZ together. my oldest brother has gone as far as to host water training at his home whenever we need to use a pool! My best friend and jumping partner, also has a 10 year old daughter who is counting down the days till she turns 18 to start jumping, there are times i think she knows more about skydiving than some of the 1st year jumpers! BUNGE I don't hate them, I just like us better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 3 #12 May 21, 2003 Everyone in my family other than my mother has at least 100 skydives. Both of my sisters jumped and flew airplanes up until the point that they figured out that there was no further reason to continue; they had both bagged action-guy husbands. One married a rugby player and the other married a more senior skydiver. Both sisters still skydive for shits and grins when we have a family event, but don't really have time nowadays to continue on a regular basis. My brother in law is in the same category. My dad is 67 and still jumps his ass off. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChefJoeR 0 #13 May 21, 2003 rock-a-bye baby in the airplane..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #14 May 21, 2003 I had to give up the sport. The family (the Ex and my son) are wuffos thru and thru. The highest level of excitement either one of them allow for is a round of golf... GAG Have I mentioned how much I hate golf? I am back in the sport now... and they both think I am nutz. I think they are terminally boring. No wonder it didnt work out.What the hell was I thinking.... sheesh Amazon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
divingduck 0 #15 May 21, 2003 No offense to anyone but... golf is lame and you are not. go you! If I loved you anymore I would have a stroke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casch 0 #16 May 21, 2003 golf is pretty lame. I used to play occasionally but I've never been a big fan. I've been meaning to play a round with my dad, it's his kinda thing...until I can get him hooked on altitude Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
divingduck 0 #17 May 21, 2003 I guess if you go out for a round of golf and he tries the whole altitude adjustment thing...it could work out. If my mom were even remotely in a decent condition to skydive, she would be there with me in a heartbeat. But, alas, she is...not physically able. She *does* however, golf. *gag*. I guess it's either the golf or the jumps. What's the deal? If I loved you anymore I would have a stroke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mccordia 73 #18 May 21, 2003 My brother jump(ed), my nephew jumps, and my father wants to (but my mom won't let him) although he did do a tandem already..:) and my sister also wants to start jumping..... My mom is the only one I'll never even get into a plane...let alone getting her out at 12K :)JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickfri59 0 #19 May 21, 2003 My wife “put the crack pipe to my lips” (quote from another post), metaphorically speaking of course, last year when I got a tandem jump for a Fathers day gift. I signed up for AFF shortly after my feet hit the ground. Now I give ALL my extra money to the dealers (DZ owners) to maintain the high. Last summer I gave ($$) my two sons a puff on the pipe. One did AFF I & II, the other a tandem. They’re hooked, but also poor college students and dad doesn’t share jump money. However, It has been a great bonding experience. We spend lots of time talking about jumping, and they’ll hang with me at the DZ for an afternoon once in a while. Plus, they think I’m a cooool dad. They’ll have jobs this summer and be back at it. My youngest daughter can’t wait to turn 18 and give it a go. I don’t think jumping is any more dangerous than any other school sport (however, when things get fuc_ked, they get fuc_ked up really bad). DZ crudeness? My home DZ is probably less crude than the average high school. I would love for the four of us to be able to do a four way dive in a few years. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casie 0 #20 May 21, 2003 I started jumping about 2 years ago. My mom took up the sport before my time & really enjoyed it a ton. Getting married & my dad forced her to stop jumping. I'd love to jump with my mom however she isn't capable of it now. She's had tons of back surgery from a car accident & just isn't able to arch, etc. She keeps debating on whether she wants to watch me jump or not. Ya know, the whole my little girl thing comes out. She's decided not to watch me but wants copies of any photos that I have of me jumping. I think making it a family thing, if that's what everyone wants, would be awesome! The more the merrier ~Porn Kitty WARNING: Goldschlager causes extreme emotional outbursts! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ERICCONNELLY 0 #21 May 21, 2003 He'd rather try to fly it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dreamsville 0 #22 May 21, 2003 To Eric: he's programmed now. Hold on to your wallet! |I don't drink during the day, so I don't know what it is about this airline. I keep falling out the door of the plane. Harry, FB #4143 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gemini 0 #23 May 21, 2003 My son got me into this and now I jump with my Sister-in-law and her husband too! Guess we need to get an air portrait done for the mantel!!! Blue skies, Jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dreamsville 0 #24 May 21, 2003 I still maintain a non-resident golf membership out in Grosse Pointe. Why?? So I have a place to hang out with friends and family when I visit when people who are committed whuffos (I don't play when back in Chicago cause of the magnetic field coming from the drop zone). However, the point I am trying to make is that if I play golf, those people know that they are really special to me because otherwise the jump urge in my brain is like a ticking time bomb that will send me off to the nearest DZ if at all possible. I have used visits over there to try to convince others to jump, without overdoing it and being told to shut up or to change the subject, or get the bypass in the conversation that pretends you did not even mention skydiving. To date: one friend finally jumped at Skydive Harbor Springs, and another member has done static line but won't go back to jumping. Mom would have jumped but back muscles won't allow it. As you all know, it's tough out there to recruit friends or family, but some have better luck than others. One of the biggest thrills is when one takes you up on it! |I don't drink during the day, so I don't know what it is about this airline. I keep falling out the door of the plane. Harry, FB #4143 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yoshi 0 #25 May 21, 2003 my brother and I jump. I started in 1998 and took a few years off. it took me several years to talk him into it and after his first static line he was hooked.. I remember it was a sun set jump and I think to this day his favorite jump is a sunset track dive... he now has about 200 jumps more than I do and is loving every minute of it.. even moved out to the dz and lives at the end of the runway. I told my wife (before we got married) that she had to jump.. that was one pre-requisite that she jumped at least once to see what I love about it so much... she has done one tandem and it really isnt her bag, but she completely supports me (hence all my new gear) and she says she will prob do more jumps in the future, but no real plans to (I assume at the end of the year when I go for my tandem rating she will be one of my first students) cant wait for that... my mom...no way in hell to get her even in a plane much less to jump out of one. and the rest of my family I have ben working on, but no takers just yet:) -yoshi_________________________________________ this space for rent. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
