The first ride is rarely solo. A kid sits up front, a dog claims the nose, and the adult at the back learns that a wide, stable board is worth more than a fast one.
Our 10'6 boards are built for exactly that: 330 lbs of capacity, a soft deck pad with grip, front bungees for a dry bag and snacks, and a leash so the board never drifts off on its own. Stand, kneel or sit - the board does not care.
A few things that make family days easier: inflate to the pressure printed by the valve, keep the leash on, and let everyone take a turn on the pump - it is part of the ritual. Rinse with fresh water afterwards and it rolls back into the bag until next weekend.
Weekend at the lake, a beach trip, a slow river - the board comes along and the day gets longer.