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ronnmel
04-23-2010, 05:54 PM
Not sure if I'm posting this in the right section, Please direct me to a better section if this isn't it.

A bit of background...

Last summer my fiance and I went to Disney with his then 10 y.o. daughter. We all loved it. We didn't think it would be financially possible for us to come back anytime soon, as we are getting married next year. Plus, we want to start trying to have kids soon after, and we prefer to wait until they are a bit older before bringing them, and thus bringing her back.

Well... we just can't get Disney out of our heads. So now we want to go on a Disneymoon a few months after (I'm a teacher, need to wait untl summer to travel). At first we were not even going to have a honeymoon, as we are having a destination wedding in the Carribean, but I think it will be possible for me to save enough money for a real honeymoon.

There are two reasons why we are not bringing his daughter with us. One, we would need to save up a lot more money, as she pays adult pricing. But mainly, it will be our ONLY opportunity to travel just the two of us (well, until we retire. LOL) It just so happens that we want to go to a place children love instead of Vegas or an all-inclusive...

How do we tell my fiance's daughter that we want to travel to Disney without her, without hurting her feelings *too much*?

nurse.darcy
04-23-2010, 05:59 PM
You don't. You tell her what a honeymoon is about "sort of" and then let her know that you and "daddy" will be unavailable during that time. She is 10 and her desires/wishes/wants are on a need to know basis. If you choose to tell her, make sure you establish the honeymoon rules first. . .

Minniemama350
04-23-2010, 06:02 PM
You don't. You tell her what a honeymoon is about "sort of" and then let her know that you and "daddy" will be unavailable during that time. She is 10 and her desires/wishes/wants are on a need to know basis. If you choose to tell her, make sure you establish the honeymoon rules first. . .

:thumbsup2

ronnmel
04-23-2010, 07:06 PM
Wow. I did not expect that kind of answer. She will be 12 by the time we want to go, and I kind of think she would ask us where we would be going on our honeymoon. I would feel bad either lying to her, or staying vague... Plus, she would want to see pictures when we come back, no?

How would we handle all the questionning then if we chose not to say anything at first?

tessa67
04-23-2010, 07:45 PM
Is there anyway she can meet you all at Disney towards the end of the honeymoon and you all spend the last few days enjoying the parks as a family? If she is 12 then she is old enough to fly by herself and you all could pick her up at the airport, or someone could travel to Orlando with her.

It just doesn't sound like a good idea to me to get married, go to Disney, and tell the child you are both unavailable. It sounds like a situation that could affect her relationship with YOU.

From the child's perspective her daddy is getting remarried and then taking off to Kid's Paradise without her and being told he will be unavailable!!?? Ouch! :sad1:

A destination wedding sounds pretty expensive, isn't there some place you can trim a few dollars to be able to afford for her to join you at the end?

And as far as not trips alone together until you retire, that sounds a bit farfetched to me.

I think including her at the end of the honeymoon would be a wonderful way to start your family together.

Janet Hill
04-23-2010, 08:00 PM
My daughter was 12 when I remarried and there's no way I would have gone on a trip like this without her. So don't let her know your honeymoon destination. This is the exact worse age for a child to accept a step parent. Remember this is adolesence, puberty and raging horomones. Life is all about her.

Oh and when I told my daughter, I was pregnant, she didn't speak to me for a few weeks.

I would include her as much as possible. Like pp said let her join you for at least part of the trip.

That said she grew up and loves her little brother and sister.

JenVi
04-23-2010, 08:06 PM
My step sons were 10 1/2 when we got married. We got married in Grand Cayman. They came for our first week there and stood up with us as we got married. They went back home with Grandma and we spent our second week by ourselves. Isn't there anyway you could incorporate your soon to be sd into the trip. I think it would be a great start to your new family.

Jen

ronnmel
04-23-2010, 08:42 PM
Given that she wouldn't be charged for the room, it would be almost just as expensive having her come to Disney for just a few days as opposed to a week. The plane ticket alone is about a 1000$. :-(

She will be coming with us to the destination wedding and will be included in the ceremony through a sand ceremony. She'll be sleeping a few nights with us, and a few nights with the grandparents. :)

Trust me, with the size of my fiance's family/friends and what they expect out of weddings, it is MUCH cheaper to get married abroad. We are saving close to 15 000$ and are cutting EVERY corner we can already.

We really do not make a lot of money, that is why I say we probably won't take any other trips alone until our kids leave the nest (aside from weekend getaways to a nearby city). We can only hope to travel with our kids once very 6-7 years. We didn't even think we could afford this Disneymoon, but I believe I can save up enough money and we plan to do a very budget trip (value resort, value season, sharing quick-service meals, etc.)

Oh, forgot to say, to sort of make up for not bringing her, we plan on bringing her to Canada's Wonderland this summer (will drive there and stay at a cousin's house to save money). :-)

Not the answers I was looking for, though I understand why. :-(

twinklebug
04-23-2010, 11:32 PM
To tell her that you'll be at Disney the entire trip without her is a bit too harsh. Were I in your shoes and I knew the secret would get out and I had to tell her, I would change the plans up a bit, take the focus off of Disney.

As an idea, would you consider splitting your time between Disney and another location such as a beach resort? I think the news that her dad and you will be taking in more than just the Disney magic would soften the blow.

... and add that you're planning a family trip with her for as soon as possible (for both her sake as well as for your own Disney withdrawal) and include her in the planning.

GrtWtNorth
04-29-2010, 04:58 PM
This is hard. Unfortunately, I don't think you have a say in all this. Despite the marriage, you're not the parent, your fiance is. Your fiance is going to have to decide if she comes or not.

Telling your step-daughter that she can't come on your Walt Disney World honeymoon could be the first big step towards a Cinderella / Wicked Stepmother relationship.

What can you do? Be supportive. Listen. Understand. If this is going to cause a serious family rift, then maybe you should put off your honeymoon until you're more secure in your role as wife and step-mother. A little sacrifice for long-term peace...

I've seen a lot of blended families, and step-parenting adolescents and teenagers is very stressful and demanding. I wish you the best of luck!

duffy
05-01-2010, 05:49 AM
You don't. You tell her what a honeymoon is about "sort of" and then let her know that you and "daddy" will be unavailable during that time. She is 10 and her desires/wishes/wants are on a need to know basis. If you choose to tell her, make sure you establish the honeymoon rules first. . .

I agree with this, sorta. ;)

I think it's important for the parents to be available. I think it's also important for the daughter to know that a newly-wed couple goes on a honeymoon, to spend time together celebrating their love before settling down to the nitty-gritty of raising a family and sharing daily lives.

Actually, she's 10, I'd be very surprised if she didn't know what a honeymoon is already!

And I see nothing wrong with telling her that you are going to WDW. Tell her that there will be another family trip later-perhaps in a few years? Otherwise, she's going to wonder where you went and why it's such a big deal that you didn't tell her.

My husband and I went on our 25th anniversary trip a few years ago with our then-12 year old, and a neice. No way was I leaving our daughter behind, I would have felt too bad. But, this November, my husband and I are going to go down for a long weekend, and we're leaving our daughter behind. She'll be fine.

Gwendolyn
05-01-2010, 06:11 AM
I am a stepdaughter. And it was really really hard that my dad went away on vacation without me. Even though it was his honeymoon. I felt shoved aside by my dad back then. New wife, no room for his kids.

Now I know that parents and even stepparents need time without kids. And I can understand now. But no way I understood it when I was younger.

It's less harsh for kids when you go on honeymoon, when they are already schedualled to be with the other parents. So that life goes on as normal.
If you go on honeymoon when the kids are suppost to the newly wed parent, they will feel like they are shoved aside.

So think wise. Make sure you plan the honeymoon in a wise period. Make sure it doesnt take away time with her dad when she is there. If it does, ask her mother if your fiance can have extra time with his daughter when you are back from honeymoon. Going on a (road) trip in your area, maybe camping?

I dont know how the relationship between your fiance and his daughters mother is, maybe she can have her own family vacation in the Orlando area, and then your husband can invite your stepdaughter to join you on your trip for some days.

Carl Fredricksen
05-01-2010, 06:18 AM
It just doesn't sound like a good idea to me to get married, go to Disney, and tell the child you are both unavailable. It sounds like a situation that could affect her relationship with YOU.

From the child's perspective her daddy is getting remarried and then taking off to Kid's Paradise without her and being told he will be unavailable!!?? Ouch! :sad1:

A destination wedding sounds pretty expensive, isn't there some place you can trim a few dollars to be able to afford for her to join you at the end?

And as far as not trips alone together until you retire, that sounds a bit farfetched to me.

I think including her at the end of the honeymoon would be a wonderful way to start your family together.

I agree. If you go to Disney, she should come along. She is at the age where Disney is the mecca of all kid-dom, and she will remember it forever if she is not included. Besides, half the fun of Disney is having kids around to remind us what that magic is all about! Plus, she is going to get older quick, and Disney doesn't hold the same magic for teenagers, that it does for a 12 year old.

You'll have time later in life to travel together alone. IMO, this is a compromise you make when you become a step parent to an older child. You need to accommodate within reason to establish that relationship early on, or you'll always just be the woman who stole her daddy and took him to Disney without her.

Take a shorter Disney trip with her to celebrate the new family, and you and new hubby can sneak away for a weekend getaway somewhere romantic before the end of summer. Should work out about the same financially, and will be so much better for the relationships.

ronnmel
05-01-2010, 10:50 AM
I appreciate everyone's input, but we are not changing our minds. My FI (her dad) actually thinks she'll take the news quite well, I'm the one that's more worried. (Probably because, as some have mentionned, I am the step-mother and afraid she wouldn't accept me. She's been great so far though.) Like he says, she has been to Disneyworld without him (his parents took her 2 years ago), and last summer, eaxctly one week after we all went to Disney together, her mom brought her back to Orlando to visit Universal Studio for a week. She even enjoyed it more than Disney, because she is already growing out of the magic and way mroe into the thrill rides.

When we came back from Disney we said we would all go back as a family in 7-8 years, and that is what we'll do. Unless we somehow can afford it before. Of course she'll be included in that trip, and even be allowed to bring a friend (or boyfriend by then. LOL)

Thanks everyone.

MomtoEmIs&Ow
05-01-2010, 11:11 AM
I think that you should go alone. My husband & I went to Cuba ALONE in Nov. THis was the first time that we had gone away alone together for more than 2 nights. WE have 3 kids. Our oldest is 14 (not my husbands bio child), and she really wanted to go too. She was the most upset the night we left.

But I think that kids need to understand that they can not do everything with their parents. Parents need time together so they can get through everday stuff and keep their relationship in tact.

It sounds like your soon to be step daughter gets to do things with her mother too, so she probably is not hard done by. I know that is a generalization but really, kids that do get to go on trips are lucky! Travel is a privelage not a right.

SO let your FH tell her, and the two of you can re-assure her that the family trip down the road is still to come. For all you know her mother may take her somewhere soon....... :confused3

Enjoy your honeymoon! :thumbsup2

duffy
05-02-2010, 08:05 AM
I think that you should go alone. My husband & I went to Cuba ALONE in Nov. THis was the first time that we had gone away alone together for more than 2 nights. WE have 3 kids. Our oldest is 14 (not my husbands bio child), and she really wanted to go too. She was the most upset the night we left.

But I think that kids need to understand that they can not do everything with their parents. Parents need time together so they can get through everday stuff and keep their relationship in tact.

It sounds like your soon to be step daughter gets to do things with her mother too, so she probably is not hard done by. I know that is a generalization but really, kids that do get to go on trips are lucky! Travel is a privelage not a right.

SO let your FH tell her, and the two of you can re-assure her that the family trip down the road is still to come. For all you know her mother may take her somewhere soon....... :confused3

Enjoy your honeymoon! :thumbsup2

Totally agree. :thumbsup2

For the record, I just asked my 14-year old daughter what she thought, and she said that she thought it would be "weird" to be brought along on somebody's honeymoon. She said that she would feel out of place and that she would "suck it up!"

How's this for another point of view: years ago, one of my other daughters got to go to Disney World PARIS!! I didn't get to go! Hey, she had the opportunity, and she took it. Good for her.

Another daughter attended WDW from Dec. 26, 1999 to Jan. 2, 2000, with her school, and without her parents. Again, I didn't go, and didn't begrudge her the trip. I realized that my time would come, and it did.

That's a valuable lesson to teach ALL kids: this isn't about you. The world doesn't revolve around you and your desires. There WILL be a time when you can go again, so be patient. :)

ronnmel
05-02-2010, 12:12 PM
Thanks MomtoEmIs&Ow and Duffy! You both put into words what was in my mind. I especially appreciate to get the point of view from your 14 y.o. daughter. :)

suzannecstarr
05-05-2010, 11:19 AM
Why not just say you're going to Florida? I wouldn't tell her that the trip is to Disney specifically. If my Dad took my Stepmom to Disney and left me home, I would be heartbroken, angry and resentful.

VictoriaT
05-05-2010, 02:01 PM
I think you should just tell her- 10 year olds understand what honeymoons are!;) They understand much more than you think! I am taking my DH for a suprise trip the end of September (go free dining! :cool1:), and I told our kids DD12, DS9 and DS7 that mom and dad were going to DW for a surprise for dad since we honeymooned there 15 years ago. They were all fine with it- I am sure your fiance's daughter will be as well! Have fun! :lovestruc

Poohbug
05-05-2010, 02:36 PM
So much depends on her relationship with you and her father. If she is taking her Dad's relationship with someone other than her mother well, then I would not give it a second thought. Go, have fun, and take advantage of the time you get to spend together.:goodvibes

I would just tell her what you are doing. Kids are not dumb. I think she would appreciate the truth. My DH and I are going to WDW this weekend. The kids know that this is a "Mommy and Daddy" time. They are excited to stay with Grandma and Uncle Paul and I am excited to have more than one drink at WS. :yay: No one is sad or upset at all.

Of course your situation is different because you will be a step parent and she may feel you are taking her father away. Only you and her father can make the decision to go or not, but either way, she is old enough to be told about it.

ronnmel
05-05-2010, 03:28 PM
She's way too smart not to figure out what we would be doing in Orlando/Florida. She knows very well where Disney is, and what other attractions are in Orlando. :goodvibes

Her mom has been with the same guy for the pas 8 years, and she seems perfectly fine with both that relationship and my relationship with her dad. :) I'm more and more confident she will take it well. Plus, we will be telling her this week-end, after we bring her to this indoor mini waterpark which she has been waiting to go since her birthday (it was closed when we went that day).

Poohbug & Victoria, both of you have fun on your Disney vacations alone with your DH. :cool1: I too look forward to taking a few drinks in WS. :D

BelleRocks
05-05-2010, 03:55 PM
Wow, good luck to you, my DD11 would be heartbroken. I am a parent who ABSOLUTELY believes that parents need time alone. Last year for our 25th anniversary hubby and I went to Mexico and left DD with grandma. We also do weekly or bi-weekly date nights.

That said, I don't think I would ever consider going to someplace SHE loves as much as DIS without her. That would be the main factor, and the second factor would be the timing, right around the time of a new marraige when a little insecurity would be a normal response.

Since you have already made up your mind, my only advice would be to prepare to take whatever her reaction is. If she does get mad or upset (and she may not, all kids are different) but if she does, not try to lay it on her why she shouldn't feel that way. Let her have her feelings and just be as reassuring as possible.

Also, to the other parent with the 14 y/o, I think there is alot of difference between 11-12 and 14!

But...to each his own!:)

duffy
05-05-2010, 07:58 PM
Also, to the other parent with the 14 y/o, I think there is alot of difference between 11-12 and 14!

But...to each his own!:)

That would be me. :rolleyes1

I never said that my 14-year old is indicative of all kids. Just gave an example of what one kid thinks.

I stand by my opinion: go, tell her where you're going, that it's your honeymoon and it's not about her. Maybe she'll get to go without you guys someday.

BelleRocks
05-05-2010, 09:33 PM
Oh my gosh, you are the one with the quote about the kitten! :rotfl2: That is my favorite signature ever and I couldn't remember where I saw it!

Is there one about putting quotation marks around things for emphasis when something is not an actual quote? I hate that one too....

Sorry, back to the thread now....

roomthreeseventeen
05-06-2010, 08:36 AM
I agree. If you go to Disney, she should come along. She is at the age where Disney is the mecca of all kid-dom, and she will remember it forever if she is not included. Besides, half the fun of Disney is having kids around to remind us what that magic is all about! Plus, she is going to get older quick, and Disney doesn't hold the same magic for teenagers, that it does for a 12 year old.

You'll have time later in life to travel together alone.

I agree with this exactly, actually. Twelve is a really hard age, and a really hard age to accept a new step-parent at. I would either go somewhere else, or take her with you. It'll save you LOTS of bad feelings all around, possibly for years to come.

ZehnJahren
05-08-2010, 03:51 PM
I'm new here, but this is one I have to weigh in on. When I was at about the same age as your soon-to-be stepdaughter, my dad remarried. I LOVED Disney World as a child, and if he'd have gone to Disney on his vacation or even gone shortly after with just his new wife, I don't know that I could have forgiven him. I honestly (and sadly) think that this would have left a permanent impression on me at that age; as it turned out, the extra things he and his wife did together ended up straining our relationship (and that of me and my step-mom) terribly anyway. Twenty years later, we are barely on speaking terms.

You're marrying this little girl as well as her dad. While I agree that parents need time alone and apart and that "they're the adults," that does not remove the kind of hurt she might feel, as well as how personal it will seem that you would take such a cherished vacation away from her by going by yourself. As others have said: if you decide to do this, be prepared for some backlash and the possibility of long-term damage, especially if she wants to go.

My honest suggestion? Tell her you're thinking about going to WDW for your honeymoon and ask what she thinks about that. If she replies that she doesn't care, away you go. If she says she would hate that, reconsider for the sake of your new family (unless you don't care what she says). You could start your new family out in a very bad way.

ronnmel
05-08-2010, 09:42 PM
Well, we've told her today... and it went well!! We had just spent a few hours at the pool with her, and were on the way to drop her off with her grandma so she could visit her cousins tonight. As soon as we said we were planning to do a honeymoon (which she knew was a trip newly married people take to be alone together), she said "In Florida?". We said yes, so she said "To Disney, to ride Tower of Terror" (She had tried that ride with her grandparents 2-3 years ago and hated it, so we didn't do it at all last time). She didn't seem upset at all. Then when we handed her to her grandma, she gave me this huge hug (she rarely hugs me) and was in a pretty upbeat mood. :)

Actually, the one thing she was upset about is when we mentionned we were not going to the Philippines in 2 years (her grandparents immigrated from there not long before my FI was born, and she has never got the chance to visit the country. A lot of the older family members are going and have invited us to come) It's just so expensive to go there that the only way to make it worhtwhile is to stay a month, but there is no way that I (teacher) or her (she'll be in grade 7-8 by then) could take a month off during the schoolyear (they only go in the winter). Plus, her mom refuses for her to go, so really it's out of our control anyway.

Thank you all for your advice. I think all will be well. :)

duffy
05-09-2010, 06:06 AM
Yay! :thumbsup2 :love:

Hoopfamily
05-09-2010, 06:15 AM
There are 2 roads you can travel with this one. Treat her like the adult she wants to be, and tell her straight up what the plans are.
OR
Nobody talks everyone walks.:snooty:

ZehnJahren
05-09-2010, 03:24 PM
Well, we've told her today... and it went well!! We had just spent a few hours at the pool with her, and were on the way to drop her off with her grandma so she could visit her cousins tonight. As soon as we said we were planning to do a honeymoon (which she knew was a trip newly married people take to be alone together), she said "In Florida?". We said yes, so she said "To Disney, to ride Tower of Terror" (She had tried that ride with ehr grandparents 2-3 years ago and hated it, so we didn't do it at all last time). She didn't seem upset at all. Then when we handed her to her grandma, she gave me this huge hug (she rarely hugs me) and was in a pretty upbeat mood. :)

Thank you all for your advice. I think all will be well. :)

Very good news. Well done. :)

amir
05-14-2010, 08:17 PM
I took my six year old on my honeymoon, not a problem. To each their own. If you want the alone time, do it. If you want the kid, do it. Have fun. I did. And I did have my kid with me. WE did honeymoon stuff at home. Disney was for the family, and we were a new family. :)

TinkerBelle920
05-19-2010, 02:28 PM
When my husband and I got married my stepson was 10 as well. We have taken him on a few Disney trips so he's a Disney nut already. What we did was take a week long "Familymoon" to Disney just the 3 of us and then my husband and I went on a traditional honeymoon to Maui. My stepson really wanted to go to Maui with us as well and cried his eyes out at the end of the wedding when we were leaving and would not let me go. But after that he was fine. I just say that so you know it may be hard at the time but it's totally worth it. You and your husband desserve a honeymoon as much as anyone else and the fact that he has a child should not prevent you from having that special time together. I would tell her about it and be open with her just say that Honeymoons are for people who were just married and that one day she can choose to go to Disney for her honeymoon if she wants. My husband and I now travel to Disney once a year on an adults trip and my stepson totally understands because we take him every year as well. Just let her know that you will all be going again soon but this is your special adult time.

New2DVC
05-28-2010, 10:37 PM
Are you a DVC member? IF not, have you rented points before? If it were me, I'd have another adult member of the family, along with her and maybe a friend go...but get 2 different rooms...one for you and your new hubby...and one for the other adult, the daughter and friend...DVC points used at a couple of studios aren't extremely expensive..She will be there with you, but not always with you..and in the company of a friend...There are lots of ways to save money at disney..If you are creative, you can have the best of both worlds with no hurt feelings...

kwdancer26
06-06-2010, 04:16 PM
First, don't lie to her about where you're going. Of course she's going to ask to see pictures.

Second, any child needs to understand that it's not all about them. This is YOUR honeymoon and your only chance to spend time alone with your fiance. When you break the news to her, explain to her also that the both of you (especially your fiance) will be spending extra time with her when you get back. Maybe he can take her on a special weekend trip? In short, no matter the family situation, you are entitled to a private honeymoon. And, you should take advantage of this because you need the special time alone before things get back to "normal." The last thing you want to do is look back and realize you never had a proper honeymoon.

As a new family, you all need to sacrifice for each other-children included. Her sacrifice is that you get your honeymoon that you deserve and need. Your fiance also needs to understand that he now needs to split his time. However, by marrying your fiance, you are also unconditionally bringing in his family, and his daughter needs to feel that she is a part of everything. Otherwise, there could be serious hostility issues down the road, especially with your own children, that you won't want to get into.

Although you are trying to put the child first, which I understand, you need to see that some private time should be built into your relationship too. It will be an adjustment for everyone but it will keep your marriage strong.

I hope this helps.

justgeorgi
06-06-2010, 05:50 PM
You tell her this :)

We are getting marred, and married people go on honeymoons and we chose to go to Florida and Walt Disney World for our honeymoon because we loved it so much when we went with you. Maybe someday you will get to go to Walt Disney World on your honeymoon. Is there anything you saw when we all went that you would like us to bring home for you?


It is YOUR honeymoon and should be between you and your husband to be. It is NOT a family vacation.

Parents need to stop blurring the lines with their children (and step children) because part of life and growing up is disappointments. Do not feel guilty for enjoying YOUR honeymoon without children. 12 years old or not, she is a child and she will be able to deal with it.

Don't even think twice about it :)

BTW...I've gone on many trips to Disney WITH and WITHOUT my daughter. My husband and I just went for an anniversary trip in March and left our 17 year old home. Guess what, she survived just fine :)

justgeorgi
06-06-2010, 05:53 PM
Oh and by the way...if you HAVE to take your future step daughter on your honeymoon to appease her and make her like you and accept you then you are in a for a lifetime of trying to buy her affections. Don't feel pressured.

And lets be realistic, honeymoons are for ADULTS and unless you plan to get separate rooms you will not be "honeymooning" at all and that sort of defeats the purpose :)

EvilQueenT
06-06-2010, 06:04 PM
i think a honeymoon is a honeymoon and kids get that. mine were 4 and 9 when i remarried. maybe say you're going to orlando rather than say you're going to disney. if you want to tell her where you're going specifically make sure whoever keeps her has something special planned for her time while you are away.

kayrosek
06-06-2010, 06:19 PM
I don't see anything wrong with it. Of course my husband and I are planning on going to WDW without the kids next year. I worried about telling them at first (especially my youngest ASD child) but it turned out to not be as big of a deal as I thought. We told the kids we were planning on going on a trip together (we do that quite often but we also do lots of family trips) and that we had chosen WDW. We explained why we had chosen that location (DxDP, Epcot etc.) and that this was a chance for us to do the things we haden't been able to do when we went as a family. We also told them that someday we would go again as a family but it probably woulden't be for awhile. I tend to be of the opinion that adult only time is very important in a marriage especially a marriage that starts out with children involved. My husband and I diden't have years to get to know each other as a couple so we take advantage of every chance we get to connect with each other, we just make sure to make lots of family memories as well.

ronnmel
06-06-2010, 08:34 PM
I don't see anything wrong with it. Of course my husband and I are planning on going to WDW without the kids next year. I worried about telling them at first (especially my youngest ASD child) but it turned out to not be as big of a deal as I thought. We told the kids we were planning on going on a trip together (we do that quite often but we also do lots of family trips) and that we had chosen WDW. We explained why we had chosen that location (DxDP, Epcot etc.) and that this was a chance for us to do the things we haden't been able to do when we went as a family. We also told them that someday we would go again as a family but it probably woulden't be for awhile. I tend to be of the opinion that adult only time is very important in a marriage especially a marriage that starts out with children involved. My husband and I diden't have years to get to know each other as a couple so we take advantage of every chance we get to connect with each other, we just make sure to make lots of family memories as well.

You just said everything I was thinking. :) Especially the last part about not having years without any children involved to get to know each other, so we do need to set time aside for that once in a while.

Thanks everyone. As I said a couple of weeks ago, she did take it well enough. She was more disappointed about not going to the Philippines (but, just the same as with Disney, she is fully welcome to go as soon as she becomes an adult and can pay for her own trip. Though for Disney we will try to bring her once more before that). We fully plan on asking her if there is anything she wants us to do/ bring back for her.

:goodvibes

Goobergal99
06-09-2010, 05:06 AM
DH and I are doing this in two weeks and DD is not upset at all... In fact she said she is a little tired of disney :scared1: But regardless we will enjoy being able to do all the things we never did because we were more focused on her fun time! Enjoy ;)