13 Year Old Sitter

[Julia M]

We'll be at WDW next December (that's the plan anyway!), and with the new meal plans, I want to avoid buffet meals (Two of my three kids will be charged as an adult, generally eating "kiddie" foods). On the other hand, I really want to eat at Boma.

I was thinking I could take dd (who liked Boma last time and tried lots of things) and leave 13 and 8 year old ds's (who I could order pizza for, and that would make them happier!) in the room.

He already babysits while at home, and we would drive to Boma, so we could be back to the resort quickly.

Has anyone done this? The boys are very good together (expecially when dd is gone) and I think they would have a good time. They are both fine with being left alone (my youngest ds will tell me, "you can leave me at home mom", and I'll be saying "no I can't; you're 7!!")

Julia

 

[Buttercup26]

I think that's a fine idea, esp. if you have a cell phone they can call 'just in case'. My dd is 11 and babysits frequently. We live in Washington State and here kids can take a Red Cross Pediatric First Aid & Babysitting class at age 11. I would not hesitate a second to leave her in the hotel with a younger child. When we check into a hotel we always check out the fire escape route and discuss an emergency plan, might be a good idea to go over with your boys before leaving them alone.

 

[disneymom3]

I would do it, but I would also make it crystal clear that they are to stay in the room no matter what. You are already planning on ordering pizza for them, I think I would also let them have pop and some kind of treat so that they feel it is a fun night for them too. Safety wise, I would not be concerned.

 

[disneymom3]

Okay, this is waaaayyyyy off topic--but I got tagged!! I don't even know when that happened!

 

[Julia M]

When we check into a hotel we always check out the fire escape route and discuss an emergency plan, might be a good idea to go over with your boys before leaving them alone.

That's a good idea, I will have to put it in the notes I am collecting for our trip.


Getting a treat is also a good idea.....maybe I'll also remember to pick up some Mickey rice krispie treats, or something similiar (we seldom purchase snacks at the parks, so that would be a treat)

Thanks for the imput

Julia

 

[beaglebiz]

Personally, I would not leave two of my three children behind so I could save a few bucks on dinner while on vacation. I would either take them along and pay the "adult " charge, or take the whole family some where else that was more cost effective, like out for pizza.
JMO

 

[totalia]

Personally, I would not leave two of my three children behind so I could save a few bucks on dinner while on vacation. I would either take them along and pay the "adult " charge, or take the whole family some where else that was more cost effective, like out for pizza.
JMO

I agree. The kids may be fine at home but that's at home. Not in a strange place where anything can happen. Home and a large hotel in a large park are different things under different circumstances.

 

[Sandyincanada]

If the kids arent interested in Boma (which is how I read your message, not that you didn't want to pay for them), I think they would be fine for a few hours as long as you go over the rules (no answering the door, etc). Another idea is take away all the keys so they can't sneak out and sneak back in, we did this once when our kids were in adjoining rooms, just in case, lol.

 

[tar heel]

Another option would be for everyone to go to AKL and the two of them to eat at Mara while the rest of you are enjoying Boma. There's a nice small animal viewing area, a hidden Mickey list and (if you hit it right) storytellers and other such programs in the lobby that could provide entertainment for them while the rest of the family is hitting the desserts at Boma. You could even have them to come and check in with you after they eat.

Both of my older boys have always done a really good job watching their little brother in these kind of circumstances. They have eaten at Pizza Planet while DH and I went to Mama Melrose and gone for fast food in Epcot while DH and I enjoyed Chefs de France. You know your children, so will have a better idea about whether this would work.

 

[jdm]

You didn't mention where you were staying. That would factor into my decision. Does you son know CPR or what do in case of an emergency, such as choking etc.? I also live in Wa state and have a DD12 and a DGD7 who is living with us. My daughter is taking the "babysitting course" in Jan and until then, I haven't let her babysit for DGD. She is a responsible kid, but a kid just the same. I'm just not comfortable that she could handle a real emergency. I'll feel somewhat better after she completes the course......

You'll have lots of mixed responses, so you should just go with your gut. If you're feeling apprehensive, then don't. I didn't read your post as you were leaving your children behind to save a few bucks!! You asked a question that I'll bet a lot of parents wrestle with when they are on vacation and I'll be interested in the responses you get, having children in that age bracket myself.

Have a great trip.

Jenn

 

[simpilotswife]

I would not leave my children alone in a strange hotel just so I could eat at Boma and save a few dollars.

 

[Chuck S]

I would not leave my children alone in a strange hotel just so I could eat at Boma and save a few dollars.

Ummm, if you read the OP, they will be using the meal plan, so they wouldn't be saving any $$ at all. It is because the boys don't like Boma's style of food.

Leaving kids in the room, even very well behaved and trustworthy kids, would not be my first choice...but it REALLY depends on the kids.

The OP needs to do what they feel comfortable with, I would definately make sure the pizza arrives prior to departure for Boma...or you could go the resorts snack bar/food court and get them some food, if you don't want to wait on pizza delivery.

I personally would have more concerns about the kids doing something they shouldn't (again it depends on the kids) than an outside source causing problems.

 

[Debbie]

I think that it is a great idea. You will have some quiet time with DD, and the boys will have a blast. It sounds like they are responsible kids, who wouldn't enjoy Boma, but would like pizza and some tv in the hotel room. Go over the rules, make sure that they understand that they could call the front desk in the case of an emergency, and let them know how to contact you. You won't be gone long, the boys will have fun, and everyone will be fed and content. YOU know YOUR kids, so don't let anyone's approval/disapproval be the swaying factor. Only you and your family can make the right choice for you. Have a great time!

 

[my3kids]

If I was staying at AKL I would not think twice about going downstairs to eat while the kids stayed in the room. If I was at a diffeent resort, I don't think I would do it. What about taking the boys with you to AKL if you are not staying there and getting them a takeout meal from Mara and letting them go and watch the animals at the public viewing area of the resort while you dine. They could come in and check in with you or have the walkie talkies available. They could attend one of the story telling activities while you eat...

 

[powellrj]

I agree. The kids may be fine at home but that's at home. Not in a strange place where anything can happen. Home and a large hotel in a large park are different things under different circumstances.

My 2 kids at home are the same age and while I leave them alone at home for short periods of time, a hotel in a strange city is not the same as at home. There are all kinds of things that can happen at a hotel that would put kids of that age in a panic. These are things that have happened to us and I was thown, I can't image what my kids would do if they were alone. Once we had the room above us overflow the bathroom and another time the sewage came up out of the bath tub in a spray and another time the fire alarm went off and we had to leave the hotel. Like I said, these are things you don't expect to happen, but still do.

 

[beaglebiz]

with the new meal plans, I want to avoid buffet meals (Two of my three kids will be charged as an adult, generally eating "kiddie" foods). On the other hand, I really want to eat at Boma.

Julia

This is what made me believe this was strictly financiallyt motivated from the original post.

 

[Julia M]

This is what made me believe this was strictly financiallyt motivated from the original post.

Well, yes, it's financially motivated, from the stand point that I really don't want to pay for expensive "adult" meals when my kids would rather not eat there! Obviously, on our first trip to WDW, I never left our kids alone........and on our last trip, with ds just starting to babysit, and us off site, it was never a consideration either. This is the first trip where ds is old enough and we'll be on site, as well as the fact that my kids are old enough and have been to WDW enough to even have opinions on places to eat!!

We ate at Boma on our last trip....I loved it, my boys were not particularly impressed (that's putting it nicely).

Thanks for all the suggestions. I liked the idea of letting them at at Mara, too. They would, of course, have one of our cell phones, while we keep the other.

It's nice to hear alot of opinions.....makes you think about different things!

Thanks

Julia

 

[totalia]

My 2 kids at home are the same age and while I leave them alone at home for short periods of time, a hotel in a strange city is not the same as at home. There are all kinds of things that can happen at a hotel that would put kids of that age in a panic. These are things that have happened to us and I was thown, I can't image what my kids would do if they were alone. Once we had the room above us overflow the bathroom and another time the sewage came up out of the bath tub in a spray and another time the fire alarm went off and we had to leave the hotel. Like I said, these are things you don't expect to happen, but still do.

Exactly my point. I agree with you. They shouldn't be left alone in a hotel room.

 

[Julia M]

My 2 kids at home are the same age and while I leave them alone at home for short periods of time, a hotel in a strange city is not the same as at home. There are all kinds of things that can happen at a hotel that would put kids of that age in a panic. These are things that have happened to us and I was thown, I can't image what my kids would do if they were alone. Once we had the room above us overflow the bathroom and another time the sewage came up out of the bath tub in a spray and another time the fire alarm went off and we had to leave the hotel. Like I said, these are things you don't expect to happen, but still do.

I guess that's why everyone does have different comfort levels. We travel pretty regularly with our kids, over the last 10 years and have stayed all over the country (Hawaii, Texas, Missouri, Arizona, Pennsylvania, to name a few), and have never had any kind of "unusual" experience during our stays.

Once again, it's good to hear from a variety of opinions. Of course, since our trip isn't until next Dec. (and ds will be nearly 14!!!! I can't believe it!!), I will have plenty of time to think about it. Nothing like planning out details of your trip early, huh?

Julia

 

[simpilotswife]

Ummm, if you read the OP, they will be using the meal plan, so they wouldn't be saving any $$ at all. It is because the boys don't like Boma's style of food.

The OP is financially motivated and has indicated it. She does not want to waste Adult Meals on her children. At some point she would have to spend some money to feed the adult who lost out on those meals. I'd call that saving $$$. If the children don't want to eat at Boma then they should go someplace where the children do want to eat.


To the OP, many people travel and experience nothing unusual their whole lives. It just takes that one "unusual" experience to change a life and I wouldn't risk it.