Another ? about children in cabin

[carmie3377]

I know there was/is a recent thread about leaving children alone in a cabin while they are sleeping. I have a similar yet different question.

DH and I were planning to run the CC 5K together but the kids clubs won't be open. Our children will almost be 12(DD) and 5(DS). DD is very mature and both are great kids, don't have meltdowns when we leave, and trustworthy. DD has never officially babysat DS but usually for an hour or two a day, they are here at home along with my dad. DD helps DS get a drink, snack, ect and generally receives little help from grandpa. Actually, DS needs little help but DD is the one to usually help out if needed. BUT, there is an adult in the house. They have nver been left alone in the house.

When I was around 12, I started babysitting. When DH was 10, he was watching up to 3 younger siblings. So, if they are both awake, have been fed breakfast, are watching TV, deadbolt the door, and we have NO balcony would you feel safe leaving them for approx 45 mins? I am a very overprotective parent but yet I feel this is something I would be comfortable doing. I'm not saying yet I'll do it, but tossing around the idea.

Please don't flame me. Just asking how many would do the same. I asked DD if she would feel comfortable, and she said she would.

 

[VeroBeach]

DH and I were planning to run the CC 5K together but the kids clubs won't be open.

What time of day?

 

[carmie3377]

Per the recent navigators, the 5K is at 8:30am and the clubs open on CC at 9am.

 

[Belle091507]

It is my understanding that at CC the kids clubs are not open on the ship but that is because they are available on the island. The have special areas for the clubs at CC so that parents can drop them off and still do their own activities...unless i misunderstood....

As to your question....i started babysitting at 12 and i watched a 4 and 6 year old for 2-3 hours a day during the summer months with no adult around but i'm not sure i would leave my kids on a boat alone while i'm on the island...in a location that other people can access and might be less comfortable then at home where they know their surroundings very well. Just my opinion but i wouldn't do it. My DH is having a hard time just thinking of leaving them in the kids club and doing an excursion..looks like it might be lot's of beach for us

Have a great trip!

 

[Princessandthemommy]

I understand your concerns, I wrestled with leaving my room while DD3 was asleep (it was just she and I sailing). There were a few times I needed to run out especially day when it was a few things I needed to take care of. Well I spoke with DD3 and let her know the night before or prior to nap that if she woke up and did not see me, I would be right back. She will stay put if directed to. Thankfully she never did wake up. However a few nights while we were watching TV and she needed some tea for her scratchy throat I would run to deck 9 and she wanted to stay in the room. She was fine.

Now I know this will up-set alot of people but when it is just you and a 3 year old the juggling is HARD.

So to the OP- I say start preparing your kids now, talk to them about the day of the run. Let them know on this day we are going for a run and should be back in the room by ???? you may order room service for breakfast. so on and so forth. I would check to see if the 12 year old can check the 5 year old into the club once they get up and moving. If so again start preparing them and let them know. Make sure you 12 year old has KTTWC, and leave you a note if they leave.

But prepare them and don't feel guilty about whatever you decide.

 

[carmie3377]

I would definitely insist that they stay put in the room and open the door for no one but us. And this is our first day and DD knows that she will lose her check-in/out privileges for the remaining 14 days if she disobeys.

Also, as soon as the run is over, we will be back in the room and getting them to head to the beach (assuming we do decide to leave them)

 

[peachygreen]

I would not have a problem with it as long as they both know the rules you set down for them (aka - don't leave the cabin - do not open the door for anyone without a password, throw the deadbolt while you are out, what to do in case of emergency, etc.) At 12 if your DD is responsible and your DD and DS won't kill each other if left unattended I'd have no problem giving her that responsibility for 45 minutes or so.

 

[Mom2CJ&Kitty]

My dh and I want to run the 5k too - but our kids are 9 and 7 and they fight constantly, so there is no way I would leave them alone in the room. I was hoping they could disembark with us and there would be someplace on CC where they could stay for 1/2 hour... that will be a bummer if we can't run it - I would bet it's a great way to see the island.

 

[insureman]

I posted this on a similar thread

From an FBI excerpt:

"If you are going to go on a cruise, you want to treat it like you are going to a small city," says David Hearn, a supervisory special agent in the FBI's Indian Country/Special Jurisdiction Unit, which coordinates with field offices and the FBI's legal attachés overseas to investigate crimes on the high seas. "You don't know the people on a cruise ship. You don't know who's in the cabin next to you. Crime doesn't stop just because you are on a boat."