marciemi
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 29, 1999
- Messages
- 4,842
I have 3 boys 9, 11, and 12 and we do a lot of amusement parks near us and every line always results in a battle. Restaurants are nearly as bad, but there usually they can play hangman on the placemat or something. Cars are also a problem, but we have a DVD/VHS in ours for when things get bad or they can always play gameboys.
But in a line, you're stuck. It always goes something like this, "Tell him to stop cutting in front of me. I was there first. No you weren't. I get to sit with mom on this ride. No, you did last time. Stop it. Tell him to tell me what he said about me. No, you stop it. OUCH! Make him stop! I didn't do anything." etc., etc. I try to separate them, but this trip especially (to WDW) most of the time will be me and the 3 of them (DH will be in a convention) so there's no physical way to separate all 3. We only have 3 days to do as much as we can, so I know they'll be tired which will make it worse.
I considered letting them split up, but they're really not ready for that, and both of my younger 2 didn't want to do it (because their older brother would boss them around too much) and I don't want to let the younger two go alone because they just don't have any common sense. I also don't feel comfortable letting the oldest go off all by himself.
Threats don't usually work (something like 3 strikes and you don't get to go in the pool when we get back to the hotel or every time you get in trouble you lose a dollar of spending money) because they do it SO often. If I give them 3 strikes, then they use all 3 in our first line and don't care anymore. Many times we've given them $20 in spending money, and losing a dollar at a time, they've lost it all before the first day is over. Or... they get 2 strikes and spend the rest of the time pleading not to give them the third strike every time they get in trouble or begging to get money back. Basically as frustrating as listening to them fight!
I'm looking more for ways to keep them occupied that you can do in line. I think they're a little old for Pal Mickey and I don't want to be the one stuck carrying him around. The one time I let them carry Gameboys in line, 2 fought anyways, the gameboy fell to the concrete and never worked again.
Some successes: 1. Yarn to play Jacob's Ladder, Cat's Cradle, etc. but we've done this about a zillion times. 2. I read about a math game called Hiss, Quack. Since 5's look like snakes, and 2 like ducks, you count from 1 to 100 and any numbers with a 5 or that are multiples of 5, you say HISS instead of the number. Any 2's you say Quack. We added 7's to be Buzz. Obviously a game for an older age group, but it kept them entertained for many times.
Memory games don't seem to work well because whoever misses seems to get all upset when they can't remember.
I'm sure someone out there has to have some similar successes - I'd be glad to hear any tips!
But in a line, you're stuck. It always goes something like this, "Tell him to stop cutting in front of me. I was there first. No you weren't. I get to sit with mom on this ride. No, you did last time. Stop it. Tell him to tell me what he said about me. No, you stop it. OUCH! Make him stop! I didn't do anything." etc., etc. I try to separate them, but this trip especially (to WDW) most of the time will be me and the 3 of them (DH will be in a convention) so there's no physical way to separate all 3. We only have 3 days to do as much as we can, so I know they'll be tired which will make it worse.
I considered letting them split up, but they're really not ready for that, and both of my younger 2 didn't want to do it (because their older brother would boss them around too much) and I don't want to let the younger two go alone because they just don't have any common sense. I also don't feel comfortable letting the oldest go off all by himself.
Threats don't usually work (something like 3 strikes and you don't get to go in the pool when we get back to the hotel or every time you get in trouble you lose a dollar of spending money) because they do it SO often. If I give them 3 strikes, then they use all 3 in our first line and don't care anymore. Many times we've given them $20 in spending money, and losing a dollar at a time, they've lost it all before the first day is over. Or... they get 2 strikes and spend the rest of the time pleading not to give them the third strike every time they get in trouble or begging to get money back. Basically as frustrating as listening to them fight!
I'm looking more for ways to keep them occupied that you can do in line. I think they're a little old for Pal Mickey and I don't want to be the one stuck carrying him around. The one time I let them carry Gameboys in line, 2 fought anyways, the gameboy fell to the concrete and never worked again.
Some successes: 1. Yarn to play Jacob's Ladder, Cat's Cradle, etc. but we've done this about a zillion times. 2. I read about a math game called Hiss, Quack. Since 5's look like snakes, and 2 like ducks, you count from 1 to 100 and any numbers with a 5 or that are multiples of 5, you say HISS instead of the number. Any 2's you say Quack. We added 7's to be Buzz. Obviously a game for an older age group, but it kept them entertained for many times.
Memory games don't seem to work well because whoever misses seems to get all upset when they can't remember.
I'm sure someone out there has to have some similar successes - I'd be glad to hear any tips!
I know I put alot of work and money into these trips and it is hard if it seems unappreciated. Good luck!
) TV or video games in the room - a nap would probably be better, but they probably won't go for it). Pushing too hard can made people grumpy and reduce everyone's enjoyment. (Another mistake I've made)
