Irish, I don't really converse with her anymore (other than briefly about the kids). I guess because it will usually tend to lead to a pointless argument. I think she does want to "one up" me, to win every argument, to be seen as the better parent, and as the better person. I am sure she is rationalizing this all by saying that their father (me) is too self-centered and lazy to involve our S's in such wonderful outdoor activities -- thus leaving it all up to her, again.
The thing is I started to take the boys camping, and she insisted that they were too young. But then a couple of months later she buys a tent and goes and takes them camping herself.
When we were married I was always eyeing canoes and kayaks with plans to purchase a C2 for the family. I installed a storage rack in our car port with keeping the C2 suspended above the cars during storage. But xW kept shooting those plans down, saying we couldn't afford it and that it was too early to take our small children out in such a craft anyway. Then the minute she moves into an apartment she buys a used kayak (and OM did as well, it would seem.)
But now she's opened the flood gates, I will gladly and justifiably ignore her when I take our S's paddling or camping. I will not seek her blessing or permission ever again.
Cat, I will and do talk to my boys about the things I used to do and that we will do again. But I will just be myself around my S's.
Karen, I know they would be as safe with me as they possibly can be. I think the most important lesson when in a canoe or kayak, aside from always wearing a life jacket, is to hold onto the boat, more-so than the paddle. If you should have to make a "wet exit", unless the boat is made of aluminum or some other metal (not likely) then it will have some natural buoyancy even when capsized -- hanging onto the canoe/kayak is the first safety lesson anyone should know. In fact that is probably more important than knowing how to swim.
xW has beat me to the punch (again) in enrolling S8 in swim lessons this summer.
Side Note: Oddly, xW did thank me in an email yesterday for getting the boys Wii Music -- she is happy that S8 is now enthused to play a game that doesn't involve shooting or destruction (like Lego Star Wars). Very uncharacteristic of her to acknowledge something good I might have done.
