Taking your kids chasing

[Elinor McLennon]

It's a free country. Take the precautions necessary to keep them safe. It doesn't matter whether you're chasing, going to the park, a movie, a camping trip, a fishing trip, etc. The same rules apply. Always watch out for their safety and keep them protected from harm to the best of your ability.

 

[Skip Talbot]

How about a storm chasing summer camp?

$$$

For thos having trouble filling tour seats, this might be a good venture....

 

[Tyler Allison]

My oldest girl started going with me on local storm chases (not overnight) when she was old enough to climb in and out of the car on her own (4-5 years old). She loves it and has a melt down if I don't take her.

 

[Danny Neal]

She loves it and has a melt down if I don't take her.

LOL the same thing happens with my 21 year old girlfriend.....

 

[Bill Doms]

How about a storm chasing summer camp?

Martin Lisius and Tempest Tours kind of do this with their annual "Maddy's Tour" for young people with autism I believe. What a great project.

Anyhow, I'm going to throw one other thought out there on this subject which still crosses my mind from time to time. Are any of us (myself included) getting lured into thinking our kids want to chase and not just wanting to spend time with dad (or mom)? It's kind of a tough read.

 

[Joshua Nall]

Anyhow, I'm going to throw one other thought out there on this subject which still crosses my mind from time to time. Are any of us (myself included) getting lured into thinking our kids want to chase and not just wanting to spend time with dad (or mom)? It's kind of a tough read.

For younger kids especially, it is all about that.

 

[John J. Holt]

I have 3 kids ages 8,10 and 4 months and all three have been chasing with me. I do however change my approach and stay further away than I do without them. I also agree that chasing has been very educational for my children and we have based numerous school Science fair exibits on storm related topics.

 

[Jason Boggs]

I have 3 kids ages 8,10 and 4 months and all three have been chasing with me. I do however change my approach and stay further away than I do without them. I also agree that chasing has been very educational for my children and we have based numerous school Science fair exibits on storm related topics.

Not trying to be harsh, but how in the heck can you take a 4 month old chasing? I mean, why would you want to?

8 and 10 is fine, but 4 months old? WOW

 

[Ric Burney]

Not trying to be harsh, but how in the heck can you take a 4 month old chasing? I mean, why would you want to?

8 and 10 is fine, but 4 months old? WOW

Dark clouds + lightning and thunder + hail on the roof = rapid fire diaper changes!

 

[Jon Faubion]

I took my 7 yr old daughter out on a short local chase ths spring, nothing too nasty, she had a blast.

She will be 8 next March and will be legal to drive a jr. dragster on the same dragstrip I race on. She has been going to the races with us since she could walk. I can't see how that would be any safer than storm chasing.

Hell driving to see here grandparents has to be just as dangerous I would think.

One needs to use some common sense though.

 

[Jim wyman]

That is my exact fear (although I don't have kids myself). Regardless of what I think, the state and other authorities may take a very drastic view of the situation....and I live in a very liberal state that loves to get involved with private lives. So for me...not until it's not an issue, or I can afford a really good lawyer, or change the policy before taking children.

I live in MD too. It's the most over-regulated and over-protective state in the union!

Because most people here can't use their own common sense to get through their daily lives , so they need the state to tell them how to do it....

sry for the rant...

 

[John J. Holt]

Wasn't by choice having my 4 month old with me. Got caught in the storm so naturally I had to fallow it.

 

[Brandon Ivey]

It all depends on how you do it. If you are staying a few miles away and watching, great. However, if you are a quarter mile away and backing up down a dirt road asking your kid if anyone is behind you that might be too much.

Everyone is entitled to thier own opinions and I welcome them positive or negative. I was not too close with my kids under the conditions. If the storm would have been an HP monster that was hauling at 50mph, then yes, I would have been too close and that senerio would have not been idea for children anyway.

I encourage chasers who have kids to take them out and show them the ropes. My father did not know the first thing about chasing and I had to learn on my own. You can only get so far reading books and watching chase videos! I started on my own at the age of 16 and found myself in very dangerous situations at times.

The chase with my boys was very educational. They got to witness the whole process of tornadogenisis multiple times. They both did very well on this somewhat long road trip for a 4 and 8 year old. They are ready to go again, but I am going to wait for another perfect set-up that is closer to home.

And Payton, I did know that traffic was clear behind our vehicle, but it never hurts to ask for extra assurance. Saftey is always a top priority when my family is chasing with me.