Advice only - No flames please...

[310girls2]

We will be staying at WL at the end of September. WE have never stayed there before and its kind of an anniversary/birthday vacation. Anyhoo - if your 12 yr. old was in bed watching a movie and 2 yr. old was sleeping for the night would you feel okay to go to the lounge to have a drink with your squeeze? She and we would both have cell phones of course. an advice appreciated -

 

[isla bonita]

Where we live it is legal for 12 year olds to be left alone. I assume they can be left with others. Personally I could not do it but I think it is legal. You might want to check Fl. laws to ensure just in case. Have you thought about a nanny service type thing? That way you would feel safer and if your child had a cell and so did you she could relay how things were going.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

YES! No flames from me! I believe it is legal in Florida for a 12 yo to watch a 2 year old. I have a sitter who is 12 (edited...got her age wrong) and she watches my kids.

Saftey tips: Just make sure she opens the door for NOONE except you guys. In the event of an emergency and a CM must send up--have a code word....or tell her to call the front desk to confirm if a CM was sent up.

 

[JerJan]

If MY 2 y/o was sleeping (and normally a good sleeper) and my 12 y/o (provided the 12 y/o is with the 2 y/o on a regular basis and knows the child very well) was a VERY MATURE 12 y/o...YES, I would go and have some private adult time. Provided you are comfortable enough to TRUST the JUDGEMENT of said 12 y/o...We all know how different each child can be. Just stay close by and give the 12 y/o a cell phone. I find that when I "PAY" my 13 y/o DD to watch the 5 y/o DD I tend to get "MUCH BETTER SERVICE" if you know what I mean!!! HAVE FUN!!!

 

[meandtheguys2]

Does your 12 year old normally watch the wee one responsibly? Only you know her strengths and weaknesses.

 

[gemjoy]

Good question......
I would have to say no myself. When we go on our cruise next February - DD will be 9 and DS 11 and I know I wouldn't be comfortable letting them stay in the cabin alone. Anyway ~ just my two cents!

 

[CEDmom]

I think if your 12 yo was very responsible and had experience watching your 2 yo than I think it would be ok to leave them for an hour or so to go for a drink in your hotel.

I'd go before the 12 yo normally goes to bed. I wouldn't want him/her to fall asleep before you got back in case there was an emergency. I'd also have him/her call you every 20 minutes or so to check in. I wouldn't call the room because it might wake up the baby. If the 1st check in call doesn't come I'd go back to the room immediately.

I would find out what the hotel's evacuation policy is in the event of a fire. To me this would be the biggest risk assuming your child understands not to let anyone in the room or leave the room under normal circumstances.

 

[Keggy]

If it was just the 12 yr old - yes.
But not the 12 yr old and 2 yr old.

Wilderness Lodge does have the kids club there for you to utlize - maybe check that out.

Kelly

 

[Jen D]

I would find out what the hotel's evacuation policy is in the event of a fire. To me this would be the biggest risk assuming your child understands not to let anyone in the room or leave the room under normal circumstances.

Thank you for mentioning this. I also believe that if the 12 year old has shown himself/herself a responsible sitter it is probably fine... but you're right, they have to be prepared to deal with extraordinary circumstances (i.e. what are the exceptions to "never open the door.")

 

[FayeW]

Sure, go and enjoy yourself. You know your children, if you are comfortable with it, by all means. You are close enough to come back quickly if there is a problem.

 

[poohluvrs]

I personally would not I remember being 12 & was very responsible, took a babysitting/cpr class, but looking back, that's still a very young age for that much responsibility, you never know what situations could arise. I just would not risk it, but that's JMHO!

 

[devotedchristian]

Responsible or not- No, I wouldn't be comfortable with that.

 

[Pooh Crew]

I personally would not do it, but I am overly protective and will willingly admit it. For the two times that my young children have ever had a sitter, I paid my step-daughter (who was about 14 at the time) to watch the highly recommended college-aged sitter I had hired--so you have to consider the source here.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I personally would not do it, but I am overly protective and will willingly admit it. For the two times that my young children have ever had a sitter, I paid my step-daughter (who was about 14 at the time) to watch the highly recommended college-aged sitter I had hired--so you have to consider the source here.

That is too funny!

 

[ksoehrlein]

Wilderness Lodge does have the kids club there for you to utlize - maybe check that out.

Unfortunately, they are for ages 4-12 only. (A little less than 2 years before my youngest is eligible, and I'm counting down the minutes!)

I would probably consider going along with your plan. The cell phones combined with the fact that you are still in the same building would do a lot to set my mind at ease. Especially since the only other option is hiring someone to babysit in your room.

Of course, you must be much less tired parents-of-a-2-year-old than we are: we usually fall asleep mere minutes after the kids!

 

[devotedchristian]

Of course, you must be much less tired parents-of-a-2-year-old than we are: we usually fall asleep mere minutes after the kids!

And I thought it was just me!

 

[Amaris]

I would see no issue with it if your 12yo is responsible. If I did that, I would make sure the 12 yo had a cell phone and I had one ( we have that family plan thing) so we can hook up back and forth.

 

[Julia M]

We will be staying at WL at the end of September. WE have never stayed there before and its kind of an anniversary/birthday vacation. Anyhoo - if your 12 yr. old was in bed watching a movie and 2 yr. old was sleeping for the night would you feel okay to go to the lounge to have a drink with your squeeze? She and we would both have cell phones of course. an advice appreciated -

I would leave one cell phone with the 12 year old, so they didn't have to deal with hotel phones.

 

[robinb]

I would leave one cell phone with the 12 year old, so they didn't have to deal with hotel phones.

This is a great idea. Leave the kids in the room and have a nice drink.

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

I am in the same club as the mother who is overly protective...lol I would drive hubby nuts with calling to check every 20 min. and probobly wake little dd up in the process.

What about putting both kids to sleep, (i bet even a 12 yo will be exhausted at the end of the day) and getting some alone time in with a bottle of wine on the balcony. OR..maybe call and see if WL has ajoining rooms.. Or maybe rent a room right next door to the kids for one night, have some room service ordered up..and enjoy a nice Quiet dinner alone! You could take advantage of the extra room since your are celebrating your anniversary.. and then go back to your original room to sleep. I would be tottally comforatable with that..if it were me.