We’ve been letting Owen drive the golf cart a little bit. It is totally against the rules of Harbor Island (you are supposed to have a valid driver’s license). But sometimes rules are meant to be broken, right? Especially in summer, right? He absolutely loves it (and is a much better driver than his mom is). Hopefully we won’t get caught anytime soon.
From his size they’d think he was a teenager. Not sure if that would help or hinder. Go Owen!
I disagree with you here and hope he does not get into an accident. Driving rules are year-round and are not meant to be broken. This is one of the few things I feel strongly about because of the consequences for everyone should he be caught (your words) or has an accident.
Agreed! Also, when you are borrowing other people’s property you are being trusted to follow the safety rules. ( I’m assuming the golf cart belongs to the rental home owner). Imagine if everyone just ignored safety rules and let their kids to drive the golf carts on the Island.
Oh my goodness… if you had the opportunity to witness what kids much younger than him do independently in other countries. When we were in Ethiopia in December, kids as young as five were out on their own (including on busy roadways) herding animals, fetching water etc.
He’s not on the open highway in a Ferrari. He’s in a golf cart, likely with other golf carts on the road. In my opinion, kids in the US and Canada are infantilized for waaaay too long.
I think it’s great!
Gloria! THANK YOU! I wish more people were like you! I am constantly being told I let my kids do too much — whether it is driving the golf cart, or climbing high in a tree, or going to get the mail in the post office by themselves. Seriously! I sometimes wish we lived elsewhere for this exact reason. Kids are (often) SO CAPABLE! Honestly: Owen is a much better, much safer, driver of the golf cart than I am. I mean that sincerely!!!!
Kids are incredibly capable, and as their parents we know better than casual observers where their skills lie and where they need help. Not to bore you with another story, but when we were in Cambodia, we visited an elephant rescue project near the Vietnam border for two days. It was hard, hard work, and our kids, ages 7, 8 and 10 at the time, were treated the exact same as all the adults, including some very fit folks in their early twenties. They never missed a beat. One of the days was designated as “volunteer time,” where we were expected to contribute to the facility operations. The kids were tasked with chopping down banana trees with machetes. Yes, machetes. They then had to haul the banana trees up the side of a steep hill (felt like a mountain to me!) To even my surprise, that one experience ranked right at the top of their world travel list. Above a fabulous Singapore water park. Above Disneyland! Kids want to, need to and can contribute in more meaningful ways than they currently do in our society! Keep on doing what you’re doing, Heather and Braydon!!
Thank you so much Gloria, for your story, and for your support of our parenting. Thank you for reading! ~Heather
Looks like he is a really good driver! Fun times!
Freedom! Does the golf cart come with the house rental? What agency do you do your house rental? We are exploring the idea of a trip to the area in September.
Go Owen!!
– Kate