4 kids six and under - Should we bring a babysitter?

[fredms]

I am taking my sister and her four kids to the Disney parks for 4 days and then on the 4 night Disney Cruise. Her kids will be 6, 4, 4 and 1.
We have booked adjoining SPH rooms on the cruise (sleeps 8) and a 2 bedroom villa at the Disney Boardwalk (sleeps 8). As we are only six we can take an extra person and pick up the babysitters flight, park tickets, and cost of additional person on the cruise ($500).

So experienced folks - what do you think? I really want to make this special for my sister and her kids as her husband has not taken her ANYWHERE in the 9 years they've been married (yep not even a honeymoon) and thank God I have the means. Do we need the sitter or not? My sister and I do intend to spend a lot of time with the kids. But I'd like to do Palo, spa and maybe one night out in Disney. The kids are pretty outgoing so I think they may do ok in the clubs. But it may be nice to have another pair of hands. Also, I think the baby may need to nap, go to bed earlier etc then the bigger kids.

I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts.

 

[kcashner]

I'd take the sitter without another thought. This vacation will cost you a small fortune, and for a very little more, you will greatly increase your enjoyment. The kids will probably enjoy the club on the ship, but the parks are a LOT of work for the mommy...

You will save $ on Flounder's, and have a sitter for whatever hours you want, not having to worry about the reservation system there.

A couple suggestions--make it very clear to the sitter in advance what will be provided and what will not, and as precisely as possible what will her duties and hours be. She certainly deserves some free time...by spelling it out in advance, you will avoid any mis-understandings later. Will you cover her "incidentals" on the ship? Park passes? Will she have a day in the parks to herself? A couple hours a day on the ship?

I wouldn't hesitiate for a second to take the sitter. Just be sure she understands in advance that she will be sharing a room with some of the children, etc.

 

[mickeyboat]

Take ME!!!

When do we leave?

Denae

 

[TootyJane]

Originally posted by fredms
I am taking my sister and her four kids to the Disney parks for 4 days and then on the 4 night Disney Cruise. Her kids will be 6, 4, 4 and 1.
We have booked adjoining SPH rooms on the cruise (sleeps 8) and a 2 bedroom villa at the Disney Boardwalk (sleeps 8). As we are only six we can take an extra person and pick up the babysitters flight, park tickets, and cost of additional person on the cruise ($500).

....I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts.

Wow, how thoughtful. Without a doubt, I'd take a babysitter. You say you have the means and it is your vacation too! Go for it and have a great vacation!!

 

[ms1]

I think a sitter is a great idea!

I would also like to volunteer.

 

[fredms]

I would love to take you guys - mickeyboat and ms1 but the job is taken.

Little Michael has Kay who cares for him everyday while my sister works and we'd prefer to take someone we know (otherwise I'd use flounders and Kids Nite Out). I've added up the costs in my head and think "wow that's a lot for a babysitter." But, there is no price on the children's safety (not that I think the counselors at Flounders or babysitter at Kids Nite Out have anything wrong - its just someone we don't know). Also since this whole trip was my idea - God forbid something happens to one of the kids - my brother in law would kill me.

I actually thought its more important for the parks then the cruise since the cruise has daycare.

Thanks for your responses.

 

[Threehearts]

I think you're wonderful for treating your sister and this will be a trip that her children will never forget. It's people like you that make our world just a little bit better. Have fun and make sure the sitter is a well-known helpful person so that you don't have FIVE kids on the cruise! Threehearts

 

[MrsPete]

What does your sister think? She's the one who's more used to taking care of the kids. Would she just worry over them when they were away from her, or would it really be a help to her?

I'll second what someone else said: Choose your sitter carefully, and have a discussion of expectations ahead of time. Let her know how many hours per day you expect her to be "on duty" and how much free time she can expect for herself. Discuss "new friends" (especially males ones) in the cabin, safety expectations for the children at the pool, financial expectations, dressing for dinner, and anything else you can think of. Being very specific now can save you major headaches in the future -- don't assume that you and a teen are automatically on the same page! It might not be a bad idea to include her parents in the conversation.

 

[fredms]

threehearts - thanks for your kind words, but belive me, if you met these kids you'd want to take them on a cruise with you. They are fantastic. And my sister deserves a little much needed R&R after being "on duty" since her oldest was born. Every mom needs to be taken care of now and again - right?

I will certainly keep in mind your words about making sure the sitter and I am on the same page. She is an older more responsible person who watches the little guy everyday - but again I'll make sure we are on the same page. I figure if I am spending all this money on a vacation for my nieces and nephews, why not bring a sitter and make it a vacation for my sister and I too.

One other quick note - today I was sitting with my three year old niece playing on the computer and showed her the little video on the DCL website. The kids don't know that we are going - since its so far away - probably tell them around the holidays in Dec. She was mesmarized and I had a lump in my throat. I asked her if she'd like to go there and she said "Of yes, that looks like fun - let's watch it again?" Only 300+ days to go. I'll need my 55,000 DIS friends to get me thru this long wait....

 

[mickey squared]

By all means, yes! We had to cancel two ressies because we couldn't get anyone to come with us to help us. We have four children, two of which have autism. We pay for everything, and don't even go out by ourselves, we just need extra hands. I would certainly go with the extra hands to relax a BIT and have a great time!

 

[disneyfan551]

YES, YES, and YES!!!!!!!!!! Get a sitter!

Do you know how much I would LOVE to take children to see Disney World? Too bad I live in NC, or I would try to start this type of business in Orlando! Truly, if the staff were licensed, this would be the BEST opportunity! Hire a "Nanny for the week..." I am a very good mommy (just ask my 2yo dd , that has already been to WDW several times (& the DCL!)! ), if anyone needs an experienced hand to go with them!

Maybe in my next life, I will be wealthy... For now, I have chosen to live my life stress-free and happy!

 

[Nesnboy]

I would definitely take a sitter. My 2.75 year old spent a couple of hours in Flounder's one night and was not happy. It is geared much more to much younger children.

 

[Mark8076]

If you can take a baby sitter I definately would. The nursery service on the boat for kids under 3 is $6 per hour and that's if the child will stay without crying. We just got back after taking our 2 year old and 4 year old. The 4 year old only stayed in the Oceaneer's Club for 1 hour the whole vacation. My wife and I got no time to sit in the hot tubs, visit the spa, shop alone, go ashore and explore, ect...

Also, if ///// when we go again, I'm taking along my own photographer. There are too many photo moments. I have redeye from looking through the viewfinder. Also, when you consider what the wife spent on the professional photos taken on the ship, I could have hired a photographer and paid his way.

 

[LisaGoeke]

YES!!!

We cruised in October and I so wished we would have brought a babysitter along (not that we considered it though). We were hoping for a lot of relaxation and being able to do a lot of things; unfortunately, it didn't work that way.

Have Fun!

 

[Familyof14]

If you really want to give your sister a vacation, leave the children with your sister's husband.

Seriously, please take a sitter. We use to take sitters to the beach with us and it was heaven! Both of my girls go on vacations with families now.
Will you be paying the sitter in addition to the trip? My girls would get $200 on top of babysitting, plus they would get free time everyday and after the kids were in bed at night.

 

[zurgswife]

Another vote for a sitter...I took one a few years ago to WDW when my oldest was 8 and the youngest was 2....It was very nice to have an extra pair of hands...

 

[kellimomo3]

fredms,

I noticed we are on the same cruise; 1/15/05. It is so nice of you to bring your sister and her family. Our children are around the same ages (8, 6 & 4). We are giving it to our kids for X-Mas too. I hope you all have a great time!

Oh...and my vote is yes to a sitter. I'd do it if I had a 1 year old!

 

[tink&cinderella]

Hi there,

My vote is that you seriously consider whether a sitter is worth it to you. Perhaps on the Disney park trek a sitter would be helpful but on the cruise???

We just came back from the 7 day eastern. My DD's are 5 and 1. My older one loved the club which is free of charge and my little one spent her time in the nursery when we wanted to spend time on our own. Even when we did not have reservations, I'd pop in and more often then not they'd take her as she was either sleeping or they had a cancellation.

With a sitter, unless it is an adult- undoubtedly they will want to participate in the teen activities - and legally you likely will have to adhere to some kind of "hours of work" - The sitter unless a friend will likely be expected to be paid for her services, so not only do you have to pay for the admissions and fare but also for her time. Then there's the question of her time and privacy etc.

Although it's a very nice idea - i'd be very very cautious as to who you take along and set out the rules and expectations beforehand- in writing. I was a Nanny when I was in my late teens - 18-19 and I accompanied a family to Disney World. It worked out fine for me and them and we are still friends - 24 years later- however, I was lucky that the mother and the children were exhausted every night by 8:00 p.m. and that she was aware of my need to meet other's and have time to myself as well. We negotioated certain hours of work and times off as well.

I have a reliable sitter here - She looked after our home while we were away - Would I take her to Disney??? (She's 14) The answer is "NO' - likely be more inclined to take her 18/19 year old sister. Why?? - She's not as mature as her sister, understands responsibility better etc.

Best of luck making your decision. You'll love the Cruise - We are going back next April 2005.

Take care

 

[fredms]

All these updates are really helpful. Situation has changed slightly as sitter may be unable to leave the U.S. (I'll leave it at that.) So as of now, we are taking her to the parks and doing the ship alone. I think it will be okay as the ship will have activities for the bigger guys and lil' Mike will hopefully be ok at Flounders - although it would have been great to have her (and I think a nice experience for her as she doesn't really have the means).

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[clh2]

Too bad the sitter didn't work out for the cruise too. Although if I could only have a sitter for half the trip - I would definitley have one on the parks side of the trip and "rough it" on the cruise.