Anybody Ever Eat at Palo ALONE?

[Poly Pal]

My wife just announced that she won't agree to let our 11 1/2 year old watch his younger brother for a couple hours in our cabin while we go to Palo for brunch or dinner. I am not counting on the kids liking the clubs (my little guy hated camp this summer so much we pulled him out of the last 2 weeks.)

What to do? Should I go it alone to Palo?

 

[aprilgail2]

Well maybe once they get there they will both like the clubs but I know you can't count on that.....when are you going? Maybe you can meet some other Disers and join them....you would certainly be welcome to join us if you are going on the April 30th Eastern!!

 

[daniluvsdisney]

More than likely they will LOVE the kids clubs! I'll send pixie dust and a prayer your way so you can all have a magical evening... and don't forget the great shows! My hubbie and I like to sneak away to the movies in the afternoon while ouur daughter is playing at the kids club... thankfully she really enjoys it!

 

[CM_Mom]

When DH and I had a dinner engagement and the kids were younger, we hired a sitter. The kids didn't have an option. Even if they don't LOVE it, being in the Club/Lab for a couple of hours won't ruin their vacation. It's your vacation too.

Not sure the camp is a good analogy to the Club/Lab but I agree that not all kids think they're wonderful.

I think I would just assume that they're going to have a wonderful time in the Lab or Club and be sure to convey that impression to them. Then if you get on board and they DON'T like them after a couple of tries they don't have to go, EXCEPT for the time you go to Palo.

You might want to think about brunch so the kids can do lunch with the Lab/Club while you're at Palo. Most kids like to eat. That might be an activity they like.

 

[kcashner]

First, make a Palo ressie for 2. You can always cut it down to 1 if needed.

Secondly, don't make the club/lab an option. Make the kids go on the first full day for awhile. Hopefully they will make friends in their age group. This has always been the key to whether or not DD enjoyed it. Then, make them choose one activity per day from the kid navigator that they will attend. They can always do more, but just make one thing a "have to." This gives YOU a vacation too.

My sis hated the Wonder because her kid "wouldn't" go to the club. This is a kid who has been in day care from the time she was 6 weeks old, and is in day care 10-12 hours a day. She was concerned that mom and dad might be having fun without her! I have always taken the approach that I want to have fun with my DD, but I want and need some "me time" too....therefore the programming will happen. I told DD that if she ever needed me, to just tell the counsellor and they would have me paged. She did it once....and then when I arrived, told me that she didn't want to leave, she just needed a hug. I think it was a test to see if I'd come.

SHe hasn't always like the programming, but has respected my rule of "one thing per day." There's no reason that the child can't give you 90 minutes for a Palo dinner! You are giving them a cruise!