ADHD Onboard

[EASchechter]

What sailing are you on? I'd love to sit and talk with another mom homeschooling a 2E boy! (Mine is 10, and is also ADHD and gifted. We're sailing in September.)

 

[bbel]

Wow! Thank you so much for all of this. This is exactly what I needed to know. Thank you for taking the time to write all of this, especially after a long/crazy day at work! This helps calm a lot of my worries and gives me a lot to work with as far as how to communicate with the CM. I really appreciate it!

No problem. I feel like I have a lot of info stuck in my head from ship-life that is now useless on land haha!
I was living and breathing all this for three years - but please remember, while not a lot changed during my time, Ive been gone a few months now, so potentially every could have changed.
By all means, talk to shoreside beforehand if you have questions and concerns, but be prepared to pretty much repeat yourself again once onboard to make sure everything is down right.

 

[bbel]

oh, and @Mighty Mouse Mama just a thought for your family, and everyone out there really (whether your kids have additional needs or not)

You might want to prepare your kids, that the majority of YA CM aren't from the US and a lot speak English as an additional language (sometimes its their second or even third language), so sometimes, what they're trying to say might not be clear for everyone or might not make much sense. They are all amazing people and I couldn't do what they do especially when they spend the day translating for different people too. But I just wanted to throw it out there for anyone out there, but especially those with kids where communication is important or a potential issue.

 

[EASchechter]

oh, and @Mighty Mouse Mama just a thought for your family, and everyone out there really (whether your kids have additional needs or not)

You might want to prepare your kids, that the majority of YA CM aren't from the US and a lot speak English as an additional language (sometimes its their second or even third language), so sometimes, what they're trying to say might not be clear for everyone or might not make much sense. They are all amazing people and I couldn't do what they do especially when they spend the day translating for different people too. But I just wanted to throw it out there for anyone out there, but especially those with kids where communication is important or a potential issue.

We've been watching a LOT of videos on YouTube, so that my son knows what to expect (We're on a Halloween sailing). You can find videos that show what the Lab and Club are like (although you might want to wait on those until after the dry dock.)

 

[FigmentSpark]

oh, and @Mighty Mouse Mama just a thought for your family, and everyone out there really (whether your kids have additional needs or not)

You might want to prepare your kids, that the majority of YA CM aren't from the US and a lot speak English as an additional language (sometimes its their second or even third language), so sometimes, what they're trying to say might not be clear for everyone or might not make much sense. They are all amazing people and I couldn't do what they do especially when they spend the day translating for different people too. But I just wanted to throw it out there for anyone out there, but especially those with kids where communication is important or a potential issue.

Funny you should mention this, bbel. My son was telling me today that one of the CMs at the Vibe on our March trip grew up 3 streets over from our house! We're from Canada and he saw that she was also from Canada and they started chatting. That's what you call a small world!

 

[bbel]

Funny you should mention this, bbel. My son was telling me today that one of the CMs at the Vibe on our March trip grew up 3 streets over from our house! We're from Canada and he saw that she was also from Canada and they started chatting. That's what you call a small world!

That's so cool and crazy! And as a CM its a great feeling. That CM will remember you forever now!
I met a family from my tiny town once, and also a guy that my dad taught 25 years ago...
When your from the other side of the pond its really crazy and the world suddenly seems a lot smaller.

 

[Mighty Mouse Mama]

What sailing are you on? I'd love to sit and talk with another mom homeschooling a 2E boy! (Mine is 10, and is also ADHD and gifted. We're sailing in September.)

Oh man! We're on the December 11 4-night Bahamian on the Dream. I would love to be able to sit and talk with you!

 

[Mighty Mouse Mama]

oh, and @Mighty Mouse Mama just a thought for your family, and everyone out there really (whether your kids have additional needs or not)

You might want to prepare your kids, that the majority of YA CM aren't from the US and a lot speak English as an additional language (sometimes its their second or even third language), so sometimes, what they're trying to say might not be clear for everyone or might not make much sense. They are all amazing people and I couldn't do what they do especially when they spend the day translating for different people too. But I just wanted to throw it out there for anyone out there, but especially those with kids where communication is important or a potential issue.

That's good to know. I don't think my kids will have too much of a problem there. They both speak Spanish fluently as well as English, and they've been raised around a lot of people who don't speak English as a first language. But I will definitely remind them to ask politely if they need a CM to repeat something.

I think I might have miscommunicated when I said "he doesn't sound like a six year old when he gets upset" (since a few people have mentioned communication difficulties...although I could be misunderstanding too, since it's been a pretty long day for me too.) It's not that he can't communicate well or might have a hard time understanding anyone. It's that he has a better vocabulary than most 5-6 year olds and is fairly imaginative and intense when he gets upset. "You are an atrocious teacher and I'm going to fly to South Africa and get a black widow spider to bring back to poison you so that you understand the consequences of your actions!" Not usually the best way for a child to endear himself to an authority figure. It's not that he has trouble communicating what is going on for him. It's that he can't stop himself from communicating it...in highly colorful and sometimes disturbing detail. And usually rather loudly.

Sigh.

But he shouldn't have too much trouble with getting frustrated with anyone's accent.

 

[Mighty Mouse Mama]

We've been watching a LOT of videos on YouTube, so that my son knows what to expect (We're on a Halloween sailing). You can find videos that show what the Lab and Club are like (although you might want to wait on those until after the dry dock.)

That's a great idea! I've shown both the kids lots of pictures, but no videos yet. I'll have to look some up. Thanks!

 

[FigmentSpark]

That's good to know. I don't think my kids will have too much of a problem there. They both speak Spanish fluently as well as English, and they've been raised around a lot of people who don't speak English as a first language. But I will definitely remind them to ask politely if they need a CM to repeat something.

I think I might have miscommunicated when I said "he doesn't sound like a six year old when he gets upset" (since a few people have mentioned communication difficulties...although I could be misunderstanding too, since it's been a pretty long day for me too.) It's not that he can't communicate well or might have a hard time understanding anyone. It's that he has a better vocabulary than most 5-6 year olds and is fairly imaginative and intense when he gets upset. "You are an atrocious teacher and I'm going to fly to South Africa and get a black widow spider to bring back to poison you so that you understand the consequences of your actions!" Not usually the best way for a child to endear himself to an authority figure. It's not that he has trouble communicating what is going on for him. It's that he can't stop himself from communicating it...in highly colorful and sometimes disturbing detail. And usually rather loudly.

Sigh.

But he shouldn't have too much trouble with getting frustrated with anyone's accent.

lol! Actually, that's what I thought you meant... that people would assume he was 9 or 10 and acting out when he should know better. Those are wonderful things. Even though they represent his anger and frustration, I hope you keep a log for him so he can see just how smart and imaginative he is.

 

[Mighty Mouse Mama]

lol! Actually, that's what I thought you meant... that people would assume he was 9 or 10 and acting out when he should know better. Those are wonderful things. Even though they represent his anger and frustration, I hope you keep a log for him so he can see just how smart and imaginative he is.

Lmao! I SHOULD!!! And use it for blackmail purposes...or for what you said. That's good too.

 

[bbel]

That's good to know. I don't think my kids will have too much of a problem there. They both speak Spanish fluently as well as English, and they've been raised around a lot of people who don't speak English as a first language. But I will definitely remind them to ask politely if they need a CM to repeat something.

I think I might have miscommunicated when I said "he doesn't sound like a six year old when he gets upset" (since a few people have mentioned communication difficulties...although I could be misunderstanding too, since it's been a pretty long day for me too.) It's not that he can't communicate well or might have a hard time understanding anyone. It's that he has a better vocabulary than most 5-6 year olds and is fairly imaginative and intense when he gets upset. "You are an atrocious teacher and I'm going to fly to South Africa and get a black widow spider to bring back to poison you so that you understand the consequences of your actions!" Not usually the best way for a child to endear himself to an authority figure. It's not that he has trouble communicating what is going on for him. It's that he can't stop himself from communicating it...in highly colorful and sometimes disturbing detail. And usually rather loudly.

Sigh.

But he shouldn't have too much trouble with getting frustrated with anyone's accent.

I wasn't getting at that communication was an issue for you guys if thats how it came across, I was just trying to aim it generally and from the CM side.
I suppose what I meant to say was that a CM might not understand/translate what a kid is telling them and that can be frustrating (for both ends) - I've seen it before and had to re-word a phrase so a fellow CM might make sense of it better. If that makes sense? lol
Disney go on a lot about communication for all guests so I guess Im stuck that way haha

And don't worry, Ive been lucky to hear a lot worse from kids. I think if he said that to me when I was a CM, I would have been so tired it would have confused me more than anything and I probably would have realised what he said about 5 minutes to late to have a reaction haha!

 

[kittymamma]

PrincessShmoo , AnchorsAway and SirDuff...thank you...I will give it a try tomorrow sans evening cocktail . just sayin'.

 

[EASchechter]

Oh man! We're on the December 11 4-night Bahamian on the Dream. I would love to be able to sit and talk with you!

Oh, you have a Christmas sailing! I want to do one eventually. They sound awesome.

If you're going to Nassau, your son might get a kick out of the Pirate Museum. My husband and I went a bunch of years back (before kiddo), and I liked it.

 

[SirDuff]

PrincessShmoo , AnchorsAway and SirDuff...thank you...I will give it a try tomorrow sans evening cocktail . just sayin'.

I actually find it easier to quote the whole post (using +quote) and then just deleting the bits that I don't want (rather than highlighting and then quoting). So see what works best for you (I've been told that what I find easier often isn't easier for anyone else )

 

[mom2brooke76]

Just picking up on a couple of things you mentioned specifically...

A sense of fairness, yet he needs to be reminded to end his time on video games. Can you build on that with him? There is often a line of kids waiting to use the video games. Can he start to recognize the "fairness" is letting everyone have a turn? I don't know that CMs actually clock each kid so he may not have that visual timer and 2-minute warning. Maybe if he wore a watch he could time himself?

I'm not sure what frustrations you might expect him to have onboard, that could results in outbursts similar to what his teachers didn't like. Math and reading skills aren't likely to come into play, particularly, and there are kids of varying ages (3-12) in the same space so CMs are used to a wide range of verbal skills. If you can try to think about what frustrations might occur, I suggset role-play with him what is an appropriate way to react if those situations occur.

If he becomes physical with another child, expect him to be removed. If it's a one-time minor occurrence, they'll probably allow him back after a break. But if it happens more often expect he won't be allowed at secured programming -- regardless of who did what first. Same for protecting little sis -- it can be a busy place, sometimes kids bump into each other but not intentionally. Will he be able to recognize that and keep his reaction in check?

I'd suggest going to open house the first afternoon. Speak with the CMs. Observe how he does. Then maybe try small amounts of time during secured programming in the first evening and full day -- coming back to check in 30 minutes, 1 hour, 90 minutes... until you and he feel comfortable with the situation.

As moms we worry... often needlessly. He'll probably be fine. But it's good to think through possibilities if you can help him plan.

Enjoy your cruise!

Couldn't agree more! My daughter, who will be 13 in June, has been cruising yearly with Disney since she was 3. She also has ADHD and was on the autism spectrum disorder (high functioning which she's worked through amazingly with social skills classes). She also has food allergies. Honestly, the counselors do what they can, but because the club and lab are combined it definitely makes it tougher to give one on one attention. Last year my daughter was upset because they would abruptly end the kid's chance to play Disney Infinity because they were trying to be fair due to the number of kids. There are a lot of kids, and they will accidentally bump into each other, but I've never seen anyone be intentionally mean or start a fight. Try taking him in during open house and see how he does. If you leave him and there are any issues, the counselors will immediately notify you via wave phone. Good luck!

 

[Mighty Mouse Mama]

Oh, you have a Christmas sailing! I want to do one eventually. They sound awesome.

If you're going to Nassau, your son might get a kick out of the Pirate Museum. My husband and I went a bunch of years back (before kiddo), and I liked it.

Oh!!! I've been wanting to ask how that place was! I was looking at doing that and maybe going to check out a couple of the forts. My DH doesn't swim very well, so snorkel excursions sound like torture to him, but we all love pirates and ships and history so those seemed really cool. I hadn't been able to find much in the way of trip reports about these particular places though so I wasn't sure how cool they'd actually be for a kid. But your kids liked the Pirate Museum? How long would you say is a good time to allot for spending there?

Oops. I'm editing this because I just reread your post and realized you said you did this BEFORE you had your son. It's late and I may or may not have had a glass of wine.

 

[Mighty Mouse Mama]

I wasn't getting at that communication was an issue for you guys if thats how it came across, I was just trying to aim it generally and from the CM side.
I suppose what I meant to say was that a CM might not understand/translate what a kid is telling them and that can be frustrating (for both ends) - I've seen it before and had to re-word a phrase so a fellow CM might make sense of it better. If that makes sense? lol
Disney go on a lot about communication for all guests so I guess Im stuck that way haha

And don't worry, Ive been lucky to hear a lot worse from kids. I think if he said that to me when I was a CM, I would have been so tired it would have confused me more than anything and I probably would have realised what he said about 5 minutes to late to have a reaction haha!

Lol. I have the same need to make sure every tiny bit of my communication is understood. Drives my DH nuts. And if every CM is as patient as you sound, we should be okay. And if they're not...do you think it would help if I brought chocolate and a bottle of wine as a bribe? It's always worked well with the moms in the neighborhood.

 

[kittymamma]

Right beside "Reply" there is a button that says "Quote+". Click it for the posts that you want to quote. Then, start a reply and click "insert quotes". All of the posts for which you hit "Quote+" should show up in your reply box.

To bold (I assume you mean when quoting someone), highlight the text that you want to bold (after doing the step above) and either do "ctrl+b" or push the bold button (the B on the far left of the string of buttons on the top of the reply box).

Hope that that made sense - easy to do but not so easy to describe.

Well, what do you know...it worked. Thank you !!!

 

[kittymamma]

"]Just highlight the portion of the quote you want and you'll see a little blue botton with +Quote/Reply on it. Click on the option you want and it will insert that portion of the post into the reply window, or put it in your multi-quote list]

What a difference a day makes.....it worked. Thanks for the tutorial.