Adjustments

Like anything new, living on a boat takes time to adjust. Being on a boat for an extended period of time is different than going camping or to our property, in that we all have only this ~800 square foot boat for space. There is no outside free roaming space (until we get to where we are going). Luckily, there is enough room for everyone to have their own space, if they want it.

Before we left, people asked us why we'd just dive in and buy a boat without trying one out first. The answer was simple: it wouldn't be ours. We have two full months to commit to this journey and like our camper and cabin, we wanted the kids to feel like this was an extension of their house and comfort zone. Living in a chartered boat for a week would result in rambunctious kids and an anxious momma. Those are not the memories we wanted to make.

When we left, we told the kids they could bring a stuffy (or in Roo's case, a doll) and a blanket. I packed a few school workbooks, crayons and colored pencils, puzzles, books, and games. Other than that, they're left with their imagination and, once we get to Florida, the water. Pro tip: less toys = less cleaning = less nagging = less frustration. Wins all around, minus the "I'm bored," complaints, which have decreased once we explained that there were plenty of chores to keep the boredom away.

It took the first 6 days for the kids to acclimate to life on the boat with minimal toys and things to do. They started drawing and writing together, found games to play on their own, made up games, and became creative with what they had. On day 6, I checked in on Roo who was playing quietly in her room to find her playing with Baby Sadie and Baby Yoda. She had built bunkbeds for them out of porthole covers and screen inserts. I told Ben that if we had chartered a boat for a week, they'd have spent that whole time adjusting to the boat rather than enjoying it.

There is a lot of downtime on the boat for the kids and me while Ben is our water chauffer. That downtime is spent cooking or making meals, doing or checking on laundry, cleaning, sweeping and vacuuming, learning to navigate, listening to music while looking at the coastline and houses, watching the helm, playing, napping, and just hanging out. Ben has taught each of us how to drive the boat both with the wheel and the autopilot controls. 

After the first day of our journey, the kids realized they could stomach the big waves in the ocean while they were in the cabin watching unlimited TV on one of the 4 smart TVs in the boat cabin. Meanwhile, Ben and I were hanging out in the cockpit wondering when someone would throw up. (It was Moose on day 3, and only once.)

We don't have a dishwasher on board, but we do have a dish scrub brush with a soap dispenser. Bear thought this was the coolest thing ever and after discovering how it works, she stepped up and volunteered to wash her dishes after almost every meal resulting in one less for me or Ben to have to worry about. Occasionally, she'll do all of the dishes without even being asked to! Once Moose saw how it worked, he too has asked to do the dishes. Chore fun is a win for everyone!

We have a lot of living space at home, but so far, I am not missing it at all. (Maybe we should sell our house and downgrade!) I love having minimal stuff. It has made me not mind the chores as much since they get done quickly. There is a lot less hanging over my head when I go to bed at night and that is an adjustment I don't want to give up!