Babies First Chase?

I figured my photo would attract some attention from y'all. Thanks for those that defend me. As some of you may know, Daphne and I are pretty conservative as chasing goes. This was Dylan's first chase and all he's interested in now is being with his folks. I figure that our style of chasing's probably as safe as many other endeavors in which babies have 'along for the ride' including some parent's driving habits. Also it's not a precedent that chasers have set. Many other chasers have brought their kids along and have been much more aggressive than we. We'll do it again when the opportunity arrives and hopefully soon, Dylan will begin to appreciate the awesome beauty of natural forces out there knowing he'll be okay.
 
Things that are very common and far more dangerous for your child than being taken storm chasing:

1. Driven anywhere without a child seat. ( I see this way to often, very young children standing in a back seat sometimes in an open window while traveling down the interstate)

2. Children being driven around by intoxicated parents. (often in the above situation)

3. Children playing next to or riding a bike on a busy road.

4. Children in a smoke filled car.

5. Children left at a daycare while you are storm chasing.

6. Children sleeping in a house in tornado alley with no weather radio.

You kind of get the point, life is a gamble and while often we are sometimes in control often we are not. It all comes down to responsibility. I learned to drive when I was 5ish. I was driving grandpas 4x4 around the farm at 7. I was shooting guns at about the same age. I would have loved to have been chasing storms at 4-5... :)
 
I echo the thoughts of Gabe and Shane. I know Jim and Daphne well. Very good and careful parents. The fact that Dylan was around the storm is not an issue really. The thing was moving so slow you could out-run it on foot. The only concern I had was lightning but that is an issue to us all that were around the storm. Give them a break since some of you don't know what type of parents let-alone people that they are.
 
A second thought about this entire situation that maybe everyone should be more concerned about with regards to yesterday was the rather large number of chasers standing in the back of trucks (some moving) to try and photograph the storm in the occasional intense lightning that was occurring. The thought of many human lightning rods is a far greater concern to me than someone with a child. Maybe that could shed some light on the meaning of "careless" as compared to a child being a few miles away from a tornado with very experienced chasers as parents.
 
I would just think it's annoying to have to change a soiled didy at a whim regardless of surroundings :)

I'll save the rest of my opinions, but I see nothing wrong with the LaDue's choice to include their child.
 
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I feel, as a parent myself (2 kids aged 3yr and 1yr 10m), that if kids (no matter the age) were to come chasing along with their parents, that the parents would do so in a responsible manner to ensure the best safety for their kids. Most chasers, including Jim, know what they are doing and would not deliberately put their kid(s) in danger. If one was to take their kids storm chasing, it would be their personal decision and others should not be left to judge their actions...

I would say the biggest thing about chasing with very young kids would be to say out of hail cores. That is where I stop if I would ever bring my kids with me. Nothing like hail smashing through a side window where they are sitting... Also being caught up in the chase, don't forget the parental responsibilties like changing diapers, potty breaks, meal time, and the such. Their schedule might not fit within your chasing, but one may have to break off chasing a mile wide wedge when the kiddies in the backseat want some num nums.
 
My earlier post was not meant to offend Jim Ladue and his wife. I respect and admire Jims photography and hope he did not take my post as offensive. I did say the second photo was seconds away but I should have known better and apologize for that.

-gerrit
 
Shane Adams said:
Reading this thread and seeing how people reacted to the "closeness" of the tornado in the zoomed-in shot, it's painfully easy to understand how all these "I'm only 100 yards away!!" reports have become so common. Chasers suck at measuring distance, and always err to the side of drama.

As for all the bashing about Jim and Daphne's parenting skills, I'm surprised at all of you. I'd wager any of you lot would put a baby in a car and take them driving...far more dangerous than seasoned veteran chasers, with a slow-moving storm, with great escape routes, and awesome visibility, having their kiddo along while they stand and enjoy Nature.

The self-righteousness of some of you on here continues to set new standards of amazement for me.
Click to expand...

You'd lose that wager with me, speaking for myself as I have a two and a one year old. The absolute last place I'd drive them is into severe weather regardless of how many years of experience I have in doing so. All it takes is one lightning bolt when you're outside of the safety of your vehicle. David Drummond was fortunate enough to survive a strike on the same day that picture was taken.
Sure life has risks, even if we never ventured out. The risks may still be minimized with experience and various weather scenarios, but mother nature is uncontrollable. I'll leave it at that.
 
"The self-righteousness of some of you on here continues to set new standards of amazement for me."

self-right·eous –adjective confident of one's own righteousness, esp. when smugly moralistic and intolerant of the opinions and behavior of others.

I would not say that. If the parents thought they were safe, then that is their perspective.
To me I would attempt to keep my child as far away from a tornado or severe weather
as possible. That is my perspective.

As people who follow weather we should know that the unexpected can
and often does happen, even to the best spotter or chaser.

A photo op with my child, for me, is just not worth the risk
and to say it is a learning experience for the child is not correct as that
baby will not remember it two months from now.

To each their own, but for me its better safe then sorry.

I am glad all are safe and at home to enjoy all the "self-righteousness" folks who
are expressing concern and their opinions. They can be taken or left.

If you do not have a child you have no idea.

Tim
 
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I have a 6 year old daughter and a 2 year old son. My daughter has seen a tornado ( 5-8-03, OKC) and my son...well, his time will come. We named him Chase for a reason...:D

Note: My daughter was with my wife while she was spotting on 5-8-03. And no, she would not have been safer at home...we lived at SE 89th and Bryant at the time.
 
I showed Jim's picture to my wife and then I told her about the current buzz about the photo, and her reaction was the same as mine, "are you kidding, look how far away the tornado is". I for one have no problem with it at all. It seems a little disjointed that it's unsafe for a baby, but not for a chaser.:rolleyes:

Tim Shriver said:
If you do not have a child you have no idea.
Tim
Click to expand...

LOL, please...spare me! We've all seen people that do have children that clearly have no idea about what parenting is about. Just because I'm not a parent does not disqualify me from knowing a safe vs. unsafe situation.
 
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