I have two sons, now age 26 and 21. Both of them are very "natural" divers, very comfortable in the water, good SAC, both got certified at age 13. The older one is pretty much done with diving now, has some difficulty equalizing but also just not really into it. The younger one will dive with me if I take him, but not really interested in doing it on his own.
The younger one is now maturing nicely, but back in the day he really played the part of the teenage boy who doesn't take advice from anyone, wasn't interested in learning much dive theory besides what he needed to do to pass OW, and had that infuriating sense of immortality that takes its toll on a father's stomach lining and coronary arteries (not just while diving).
I remember him doing things like penetrating a wreck when he was past turn pressure, on the ascent. Even with me and an instructor buddy of mine with him, he was very difficult.
I made it clear to him that he is welcome to dive with me but I make the plan and I make the decisions like that during the dive. End of story. It's a very fine line to walk, but obviously safety comes first.
On the other hand, if you come down too heavy then they just say "screw this" and that's it for diving. Which is fine, but most parents realize that raising a child is a very complex business with a lot of judgement calls and nuance. So if you can keep things safe without making it miserable, you are doing well...
The younger one is now maturing nicely, but back in the day he really played the part of the teenage boy who doesn't take advice from anyone, wasn't interested in learning much dive theory besides what he needed to do to pass OW, and had that infuriating sense of immortality that takes its toll on a father's stomach lining and coronary arteries (not just while diving).
I remember him doing things like penetrating a wreck when he was past turn pressure, on the ascent. Even with me and an instructor buddy of mine with him, he was very difficult.
I made it clear to him that he is welcome to dive with me but I make the plan and I make the decisions like that during the dive. End of story. It's a very fine line to walk, but obviously safety comes first.
On the other hand, if you come down too heavy then they just say "screw this" and that's it for diving. Which is fine, but most parents realize that raising a child is a very complex business with a lot of judgement calls and nuance. So if you can keep things safe without making it miserable, you are doing well...