That was not my post...what happened? I had arrows indicating directions back and forth. The basic premise is this: There are two variations to solve. Either mom and two daughters go first, or dad and two sons. The last kid is crossed by the cop. It takes eighteen trips.

1. it is thief and cop cross

2. cop returns

3. cop brings one girl across

4. cop and thief return

5. mom and 2nd daughter cross

6. mom returns

7. mom and dad cross

8. father returns

9. cop and thief cross

10. mom returns

11. mom and dad cross

12. dad returns

13. dad and son cross

14. cop and theif returns

15. cop and last son cross

16. cop returns

17. cop and thief cross

18. everyone is now across.

anyhoo.