Anyone used Kids Night Out for their children with special needs

[MandM-Mom]

Just wanted to get your opinions on the agency.....We are thinking of trying to get some much needed time for me and dh while on our trip in August. My youngest dd will be 2 when we go and she doesn't have any huge medical issues at the moment but she does have a seizure disorder and a some respitory issues and acts more as a 6 month old than a 2 year old. I don't leave her with anyone at home, yes I know she would be fine but I am a bit overprotective She usually goes with me everywhere even if my older 2 go to a sitters, so a day in the park with just me and dh would be really great.....but I do have my doubts about someone taking care of her and her 2 older sisters at the same time. We tried this one time before and she had a horrible time without me because I don't leave her, but I think my parents were just too nervous with her which made her nervous. Do you have any experiences with using this service with your children? How many children did you leave with them? Did your child enjoy the experience?

TIA

 

[BlondeAlligator]

I'm also curious about this...

 

[MandM-Mom]

I posted this same thing on DISney for Families section, hoping for some input

 

[Selket]

The KNO people are used to run the childcare program at the Children With Diabetes conference when they hold it at a WDW resort every other year. There are, however, trained nurse specialists in the room to handle the diabetic issues. The KNO staff are good with the kids though.

I have called KNO about leaving my younger one with them (he has type 1 diabetes and a peanut allergy) and they were willing to watch him. We didn't end up doing it however.

What if you tried it for an evening rather than a whole day? If you are staying deluxe maybe have dinner in your hotel so you are close by if needed. If that works well maybe you would be able to take the whole day later in the week? I think that would depend on their booking/cancellation policy too.

I would call KNO and talk to them about it - see how you feel from what they say.

I've seen similar posts on other boards here at the DIS turn ugly (as in "how dare you leave your special needs child...."). If that happens on the other board just ignore it. Hopefully all the nasty people are off today at the beauty parlor getting their horns sharpened or something....

 

[MandM-Mom]

Thank you! We are not staying deluxe, we are at POP, but the evening thing might be a good idea.

 

[Stephaniecmc]

I called KNO just a few days ago. My entire family is going to WDW in October. We are planning on leaving my DS4 and my DB16 (who has downs) with a sitter from KNO. I spoke to them regarding all the important issues that I could think of and they were VERY understanding and supportive. As a parent, just use your best judgement. I highly recommend going at night when the kids are tired and almost ready for bed! Have fun.

 

[ireland_nicole]

We used KNO last summer (twice!) for evenings out w/o our little darlings (ds turned 5 on the trip and DD 7). We told them about our issues before hand and they were very u nderstanding. We have challenges with ADHD, ASD, SID, PDD, RAD and dyspraxia. They sent the same woman out both times and she was fabulous-the kids really loved her! They even let me choose the sex, approx. age and personality of the sitter. Just a note about our sitter; the second time she was a little early and we were running late (to V&A's ). She asked if we wanted her to take the kids to the beach (we were at CBR) and the next thing we knew she wisked them off- bliss! I would definitely use them again.

 

[scottsod]

they were good for us

we used them when we had a good experiance my son is 9 and has cp
and asd and we had a baby and a 2yo we went at nite to jellyrolls
kids were about and hour from bed time and tired from parks he played with them and got them to bed no problem he had special ed teaching exp.
we got home they were asleep and he was reading a book.

 

[MandM-Mom]

Wow it sounds like you all had great experiences, I think we will try it....Evenings do sound like the best idea.

Thanks Everyone

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm glad some people posted recent experience.
(I was going to say that people had posted some good experiences in the past, but none recently.)

 

[cdhheidi]

Wow it sounds like you all had great experiences, I think we will try it....Evenings do sound like the best idea.

Thanks Everyone

We used them last year, and they did a wonderful job with my boys (the younger was 10 at the time, has a central line and a gtube, osteoporosis, and is on blood thinners). The boys had such a great time they asked if we could have them again next time we go...