If this was the case, and I think it is highly probable, then I am sure that these kind of details were worked out before the race with all the teams. It is obvious that something as physically challenging could not have included the small kids, so some kind of agreement would have to have been made.
Whatever, I think the Gaghans are a great team, those poor kids were searching for 2 hrs at the wrong pool but you do did not see any signs of bickering or fighting. They seem a strong united family and I want them to win. : )
The thing I liked ( past tense ) about TAR was that it seemed to be a competition based on merit.....for the most part ( excluding the dreaded airport time equalizer ) you were victorious or not based on what YOU did....not special favors. That seemed to diminish with more recent episodes ( with the reopening of the closed & sealed entry door to the plane that eliminated any advantage by Rob & Amber being the most noteworthy....but let's not forget the special treatmet to the "little person" Charla where locals hauled her backpack )and I've gotten increasingly frustrated. I don't want to see a team win simply because I happen to like them or the kids seem nice ( these kids are bratty - I don't care what anyone says but they're certainly not in the top tier of the "unlikeables" in this episode). If merit doesn't enter into it and special treatment is given to the teams with younger kids, what's the point??????