Help for beginner & Daughter

Hello to all and apologies in advance for the length of this post,

I may be going about this sailing pastime the wrong way round but I bought a 19' Seawych a couple of years ago as a first yacht and love it. She is kept on the Norfolk Broads where I take her out less often than I would like, but treasure every minute. Last year I bought a Legend 26 to do some coastal sailing - not started that yet as I am getting my Day Skipper first and time is not playing ball with me.

As an accessory to the Legend, I have bought a MIrror on the basis that it should make a good tender for Wells harbour, but also because it will be a fun dinghy for my daughter (13) and I to learn to sail. She is taking part in the Junior sailing coaching at our sailing club every week, starting out on Oppies which she is really enjoying. I have never sailed a dinghy before. I have got a copy of the Mirror book, arrived last night and seems very helpful.

We took the Mirror up to the Broads yesterday to put in the water for the first time. We paddled across to my Seawych, had some lunch, did some bits and pieces and paddled back. We had the boat rigged to sail, but didn't actually sail! My complete lack of experience was underlined by the way the boat felt with us both in and a bit of breeze, so I thought common sense should prevail and I should get some clear guidance on the do's & don'ts, how it should feel, what you should do.

So I have come to you in the hope that you can provide some 'e-tips'. It's a no brainer to see how much enjoyment can be had with these wooden wonders, but first time out it feels very shakey and unstable. For my daughter's benefit, and mine, I want to make sure that we come to grips with how to do things right so that the wobbles don't become fear but rather an exciting warning that you shouldn't have done that, if that makes sense.

Would anyone out there be kind enough to come back with some comments/hints/experiences that you think will help us get out on the water safely, from the absolute basics, look forward to hearing from you.

If there is anyone in Norfolk that could spare some hands on tips that would be great.

Thanks very much in advance,

Ian