Age or Maturity - What's the Deciding Factor?

Last week, my fellow blogger, Sharon Linde, wrote a fantastic post on helicopter parenting. In it, she cited studies that show handling children with kid gloves, pardon the pun, can be detrimental to a child’s social and educational development.

On the flip side of helicopter parenting is space shuttle parenting. Parents that give their children free reign to experience life’s adventures without standing in their way armed with a Tide to Go and a bottle of hand sanitizer.

Parents kind of like Abby Sunderland’s parents. You remember Sunderland, right? Last week, the 16-year-old’s plight to sail around the world solo was cut short when she ran into treacherous weather in the Indian Ocean, lost her satellite phone connection and was eventually saved by a French fishing boat.

When she was rescued, everyone’s first thought was, thank goodness she’s alive. The second – what the heck were her parents thinking by allowing their child to travel the high seas?

Yesterday, Sunderland defended her parents’ decision in an Associated Press article by Jeffrey Schaeffer. In it, she remarked, "I think that a lot of people are judging me by the standards they have for their teens and other teens that they know ... and thinking 'She's exactly like them.’ They don't understand that I've sailed my whole life and I do know what I'm doing out there."

Sunderland grew up around sailing. Her father is a sailing instructor and her brother circumnavigated the globe when he was 17. Her ability to keep a level head and survive in a perilous situation are testimonies to her maturity and lifelong training. I know I couldn’t do it at 33-years-old. I panic when I drop a cell phone call.

On the other hand, yikes! With the right instruction and safety precautions, teens Sunderland’s age are able to handle relatively dangerous activities like hunting with rifles, competitive dirt bike riding, and yes, driving automobiles. But sailing the world by yourself? That’s another story.

So which side of the fence do you fall on? Are Sunderland’s mom and dad the epitome of irresponsible parenting or are they instilling a love of adventure and exploration in their children that few people ever get to experience?

By Nicole Plegge, Lifestyle Blogger for SmartParenting

Share This Story

Metro East mom Nicole Plegge has written for STL Parent for more than 12 years. Besides working as a freelance writer & public relations specialist, and raising two daughters and a husband, Nicole's greatest achievements are finding her misplaced car keys each day and managing to leave the house in a stain-free shirt. Her biggest regret is never being accepted to the Eastland School for Girls. Follow Nicole on Twitter @STLWriterinIL 

Our Daily Things to Do email is the easiest way to plan your day.
Follow Us
 
Things to Do

Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo
Monday, June 30, 2025
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Wednesday, July 2, 2025

See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.

View this event »
Storytelling in the Museum from the Missouri History Museum
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Storytelling in the Museum is an in-person storytelling event happening at 10:30 a.m. at the Missouri History Museum. This event, perfect for the preschool set, features engaging stories with themes like Juneteenth, Sweet Treats, Summer and more. Storytelling in the Museum is free.

View this event »
Want daily ideas of things to do? How about special offers & giveaways? Sign up and we’ll handle the rest.
Popular Stories

Festivals & Fireworks to Celebrate July 4th in St. Louis

It's time to celebrate Independence Day in St. Louis, and because this year July 4th falls on a Friday, your family can look forward to a full weekend of festivals and fireworks. Check out these family-friendly celebrations that include carnivals, fantastic fireworks and lots more.

Continue reading »
Summer Fun in St. Louis Starts Now! Your Guide to Family Fun this June

For many St. Louis families, the start of June represents the real start of summer. That's when the summer fun really starts to kick in, and the fact that so many activities and attractions are free is just a bonus!

Continue reading »
Why Summer Camp is Great for . . . Parents

Being able to focus on yourself, your partner, and other people in your life who mean a lot to you is no small matter. As parents, we’re used to being responsible providers and caregivers. However, there’s so much more to a person: we’re also partners and friends. These are important parts of our identities that we need to cultivate. Sending your kids to summer camp may bring out your more playful side that you haven’t shown for a while.

Continue reading »
7 Signs Your Kids Are Ready For Their First Sleepaway Camp

It’s time to decide whether to send your kids to sleepaway camp, but how do you know that's the right thing to do? How can you tell whether your kids are ready for their first extended stay away from home? Here are 7 important signs that experts say should inform your decision.

Continue reading »
Want Your Kids to Learn? Teach Them It’s Okay to Make Mistakes

It’s normal for parents to want to protect their children from failure. It’s also normal to want them to achieve, win, and do their best. But here’s the truth: We don’t learn anything new without making mistakes. I’ll say it again. Making mistakes is a crucial step in learning. If we’re fearful of making mistakes, learning comes to a screeching halt.

Continue reading »
You Might Also Like...

From Our Sponsors
Follow Us