A Halloween Adventure in Autism (11/12) New Thread Begun on TR Board!

[KathyRN137]

And hey you are a queen...Queen Mom
Queen Wife
Queen Nurse
Queen Friend......

the new balloon ride at DTD we saw it doing test runs/flights

Awww, thanks Julie! You're so sweet! Welcome home!!

Did you try the balloon ride, or just take a picture?? I'd really like to try it, but I'm waiting for some reviews!

Kathy

 

[carissanboys]

Did you try the balloon ride, or just take a picture?? I'd really like to try it, but I'm waiting for some reviews!

Kathy

It was suppose to open to the public on April 1st, but because of the high winds they had the week we were there, they weren't able to finish getting all of the inspections passed (at least - that's what we were told). Not sure if it's opened yet.

 

[KathyRN137]

It was suppose to open to the public on April 1st, but because of the high winds they had the week we were there, they weren't able to finish getting all of the inspections passed (at least - that's what we were told). Not sure if it's opened yet.

Aww, Bummer!! Looks like Mother Nature was playing April Fool's!!

(Love your new TR Links, Carissa!)


Kathy

 

[All7OfUs]

WOW! So excited for you and your chance to see the show! It looks so dreamy. Love keeping up with your plans!

 

[KathyRN137]

WOW! So excited for you and your chance to see the show! It looks so dreamy. Love keeping up with your plans!

Love having you here!!


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

A Question of Independence...


We'll be spending time with family this weekend and, naturally, Tricia is anxious to talk Disney with her cousin.

She pooh-poohs me when I want to talk about the trip, but that's just her being a teenager. Wow... a teenager!!

I laugh a lot about her recent attitudes and how they reflect her growing up, but the fact remains that she is thirteen now and is slowly being given more freedoms and responsibilities as Ed and I see fit.

Charleston Princess brought it up the other day and it got me thinking...

I know that this subject will come up eventually in our family conversations...perhaps it may even come up this weekend...and I want to be prepared. I just know that at some point, the two thirteen-year-olds are going to want to go off on their own to do a certain ride or shop or whatever while we're at WDW and I'm not sure how I feel about it.

Yes, they will both have their cell phones. Yes, I can trust that they will honor the buddy system and stick together. But I just don't know.....

Somehow I just don't feel comfortable letting the two of them go off together in the parks. I know that WDW is relatively safe, but I cannot help but worry. I know Ed feels the same way, but I'm worried that my DSis (Catie's mom) feels more comfortable with letting them go and it may cause a bit of a conflict when we're there. Catie is an only child and used to a lot of independence.

Now, I'm perfectly fine if, say, the girls don't want to see Playhouse Disney and Ed takes them to the Magic of Disney Animation while I stay with Billy. I just don't think I can let them go off without an adult just yet.

What do you think? Am I being over-protective??


Kathy

 

[carissanboys]

Thanks - I love my links too!

I struggle with the whole independence thing too. My oldest is about to turn 9 so it is beginning to come up here and there. I remember the first time I let him play outside alone in our neighborhood (we live on a military base - we live in a "court" - there's a huge field behind our house - and there are always parents around keeping an eye on the kids). It was such a hard decision at the time!

If you don't feel comfortable with it then I think you should go with your instincts. Moms' "gut feelings" are pretty good. I can't really say what I would do because I haven't been in that situation. Maybe you could find ways to compromise? Give them a little space without letting them completely go off on their own. Don't ask me how I suggest you do that - just thinking out loud.

 

[kimmylaj]

oh it is so hard, my ds will be 6 next month and he has convinced me thats since he uses the boys room at school that he needs to use the mens room in the mall. uggh. i cant even imagine how hard it will be when he really wants some independence. i was just reading on a thread last night how you can go to disney alone at 7. i cant imagine. but my friend allowed her 14 year old to go to 2 or 3 rides alone with his brother who is 11. they both had cells and she is generally over protective. but she felt it worked out well. they would meeet up after 1 ride the first time, then 2 rides and eventually 3, but she said that was her limit. i think it depends on what they are doing , i would probably be comfortable with them seeing a show alone and meeting them at the exit and then if that works maybe you would be comfortable with a little more. from reading your last tr i think your daughter sounds mature , but the bottom line is you have to be comfortable or you wont enjoy yourself.

 

[mrsksomeday]

I agree that Tricia seems very mature for her age. If I were you I would talk privately with your Dsis about the situation. All of you need to be on the same page. She might feel it is ok to give Catie more independence but you are the one taking her to WDW and are responsible for her while she is there. You have to do what you are comfortable with. Ed is a cop and if he doesn't feel comfortable with it, then neither would I.

 

[Hedy]

1. Happy belated birthday, Tricia.
2. I'm of two minds on the independence thing (and please, take my youth as a massive grain of salt). On one hand, I was able to go "on my own" while my parents went on rides on the trip when I was 12, no cell phone, by myself at both WDW and Universal (of course, I was also the 7th child). I might consider doing a soft test (sending them to get coffee at Mara in the morning or something?) But if you're not comfortable with it, you and Ed are the boss. On the other hand, I was going crazy when Mordie (then 12) rode Mission: Space by himself last year

 

[mousescrapper]

Awww, thanks Julie! You're so sweet! Welcome home!!

thanks...in a way it's nice to be home...but looking forward to when we can come back "home"...

Did you try the balloon ride, or just take a picture?? I'd really like to try it, but I'm waiting for some reviews!

Kathy

It was suppose to open to the public on April 1st, but because of the high winds they had the week we were there, they weren't able to finish getting all of the inspections passed (at least - that's what we were told). Not sure if it's opened yet.

Carrisa answered it....yes when we saw it it was still in the test phrase...but I would ride it, just have to find a partner. Aldine has ridden the HUGE ferris wheel at Navy Pier in Chicago and that is pretty high up there.

A Question of Independence...


I just knew this was what you'd be talking about...
I just know that at some point, the two thirteen-year-olds are going to want to go off on their own to do a certain ride or shop or whatever while we're at WDW and I'm not sure how I feel about it.


Now, I'm perfectly fine if, say, the girls don't want to see Playhouse Disney and Ed takes them to the Magic of Disney Animation while I stay with Billy. I just don't think I can let them go off without an adult just yet.

What do you think? Am I being over-protective??

I'm getting close to this and have had some of it...the twins will be 10 in just a few weeks and Aldine is pretty mature and responsible for herself w/ and autistic brother and 2 younger sisters. Letting them leave the resturant and use the restroom was fine and hanging in the pool w/ us around but maybe not exactly w/ them was good too.

I figure around that age 13 we may give some independence to the twins at Disney, especially w/ them being there so many times...if they don't need a map to find their way around MK or Epcot..know the rules, have cell phone...we may give it a go. now i may change my mind when I'm actually in this moment. and I'm not talking going off for hours but a few rides. we'll see good luck w/ this one Kathy...I'll be waiting to see what you & Ed and your Dsis decide and how it goes.

Maybe you could find ways to compromise? Give them a little space without letting them completely go off on their own. Don't ask me how I suggest you do that - just thinking out loud.

sounds like something worth pondering here...

If I were you I would talk privately with your Dsis about the situation. All of you need to be on the same page. Ed is a cop and if he doesn't feel comfortable with it, then neither would I.

well said!

lots to think about it and those Halloween costumes....

 

[carissanboys]

Carrisa answered it....yes when we saw it it was still in the test phrase...but I would ride it, just have to find a partner. Aldine has ridden the HUGE ferris wheel at Navy Pier in Chicago and that is preety high up there.

I would have gone on it with you Julie! I was really bummed it wasn't up and running.

 

[mousescrapper]

I would have gone on it with you Julie! I was really bummed it wasn't up and running.

next time right!

 

[maroo]

THIS is why I am glad I only have a dog!

 

[KathyRN137]

Well, judging from the advice so far, I suppose I'm not being all that over-protective.... I just don't want to get into the position of allowing the girls too much freedom and then having to pull them back into the idea of "family vacation."

Ed's already worried that the girls will want to spend all their time together and wind up neglecting Billy. I realize that they will want to spend some time alone... after all, that's why we're inviting Catie in the first place... to be another companion for Tricia. I'm thinking that they will take turns sitting him on some rides and on others they will want to sit together... and that's okay.



carissanboys and Hedy: you both suggested some sort of compromise or soft test... I guess I don't mind if they go off on one ride together and then do some stuff with the rest of us. I just don't want them thinking they can branch off from the rest of the family for big chunks of time.

I could probably let them go off together when we go to the pool... Billy doesn't really like the deep end, anyway! And the lifeguards give some presence of adult supervision without them having to be "with" me and Ed.


mrsksomeday and kimmylaj: Yes, Tricia can be mature at times (as can her cousin), but you know how this age is... they have one foot in childhood and one foot in teenhood... and they keep lifting up one foot or the other throughout the day!! And, I'm not so worried about them as I am about all the crazies out there. Not to mention all the teenaged boys.... I may just have to use baby steps...

mousescrapper and mrsksomeday: Yes, I'm hoping we can get everyone (adults) on the same page. Right now, we'll just be talking about things casually, but when we get closer to the trip I'd like to have a "meeting" with all involved parties to set down the rules.

I must admit, it'll be easier to do this with family than with a friend of Tricia's and her parents.

I'm also still keeping my fingers crossed that DSis and DBIL will be able to come for part of the week!

maroo: If only Aimee could go with the two of them, I would feel so much safer!!


Kathy

 

[jcc0621]

What about giving them an hour or 2 per day to do things by themselves. Give them a cell phone in case of emergency and a specific place and time to meet you? But also let them know the rules....specifically if they aren't back in time or don't check in when they are supposed to they won't be permitted to go off on their own anymore.

Just an idea thrown out there for you.

 

[IluvXU]

Yikes .... I don't even want to think about that! I am interested in what others have to say though.

 

[KathyRN137]

What about giving them an hour or 2 per day to do things by themselves.

Gulp!

An hour or two?? I'm trying to wrap my mind around the concept of a ride or two!!! I may have to take itty-bitty-baby steps before I get that far!!

Definitely will set down the rules... I have no fear... Ed will be the enforcer!


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

Yikes .... I don't even want to think about that! I am interested in what others have to say though.

Don't worry, you've got a long way to go before you have to think about it!


Kathy

 

[All7OfUs]

I think the most important thing is to have talked about it WITH the girls and all be in understanding of the what guidelines they will have to follow- whatever it ends up being, (no time alone, a little time alone, or time enough for several rides alone) - are, so that everyone's on the same page. It's the same as everyone knowing in advance how much you will allow to be spent on snacks or souvies.

If they can responsibly navigate the park (I would never allow them to actually leave the park, or maybe even the 'land') without help, I would certainly allow two 13 year olds to go on rides by themselves. I would set up a meeting time and place, and as they build trust by making those deadlines, you can give more until you've reached your agreed upon hardstop.

Just my 2 cents.

Like someone said before, trust your mother's intuition. It's worth its weight in gold!