Baby staying home with grandma!

[meandtheguys2]

Ouch.... Thats kind of a strong statement. I dont think she meant that her husband showed resentment for taking care of his kids.....

I am truly sorry that she sees a child in that way. And actually I meant she has the resentment not the DH. To "threaten" him that he would have to care for child. I would never say that to anyone who wanted my/our baby to be a part of our family outing.

We don't see our kids in that way. I thought it was extremely harsh and sad.

 

[Tinky]

I guess my point is that sometimes a lot is lost in the translation from what your thinking/meaning to what actually is written. Make sense?

 

[dlrhine]

I have two little girls 16 months apart ages 2 3/4 and 4 and they have both been going since the oldest was 10months old and I was pregnant with the second. My 2 dd is HARD TO HANDLE, she doesn't stay in her stroller, she runs off, cries a lot, etc. anyhow I told my DH that I wanted to move into WDW with her she was so occupied and so much to see she stayed in her stroller, didn't run off, didn't cry...I loved that week. It is much easier than being home with her. I'll tell you how hard my girls are to handle is if I go to target, the mall, etc. I always take someone with me because how the littlest one acts. At WDW no problem. They went when the old was 10 months, then again she was 2 3/4, 3 1/4, 3 1/2, the youngest was 18 months, 22months, and 2 1/4. The look on my kids face when they see the lights and hear the music even when they were a couple of months old was amazing. I'm having a hard time cause I leave in 24 days and I'm leaving my DH, and 2 girls home and going with just my Mom. My Mom misses just having daughter time now that I'm a mom I don't have a lot of time to spend with her so we are doing just a trip the two of us. But I'll hate not having my girls with me.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I guess my point is that sometimes a lot is lost in the translation from what your thinking/meaning to what actually is written. Make sense?

I do see your point. And I am not usually so adament. My point was that it is in very bad taste to mock a man that wants his children on a family vacation. Incredibly rude, or a sad outlook from the person mocking. Esp. with the choice of smilies, etc.

I still hold to the idea that if all my children couldn't go on a vacation I wouldn't choose that place to vacation. I would choose a more suitable place.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

I think you have to do what you feel is best for your own family and dd. Personally, we are going in November SPECIFICALLY to celebrate ds's first birthday, woohoo! Obviously we will be taking him along for this event, LOL! He has the type of personality that LOVES to be out in crowds with people and he literally has never melted down at any type of event so far in his 5 months of traveling hither and yon, so we feel confident that he will do just fine at WDW (we even did a mini-Disney test at DTD in Feb. and all was well)! I have never left him for even 15 minutes and don't intend to anytime soon--just my parenting style, and I am more comfortable with this. I am also still breastfeeding and hopefully will be in Nov. as well and that obviously doesn't go well with a weeklong separation. So for us, leaving him would be absolutely the WRONG thing to do. For other families, it might be exactly the RIGHT thing to do! Only you know for sure! Have fun on your trip!

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

I would definitely take her! We took our son at 13 months (& 8 & 18 mo), and he had a wonderful time! Things are different at the World, they are distracted and in awe. Take her, take her, take her!!

 

[Earstou]

We left our DS at 18 months with grandparents. He absolutely hated strollers, wouldn't let us hold him or his hand or use a restraint of any kind. He also would just walk away from us without a look back, so would have been easy to lose. Plus naps were difficult away from home, leading to one terribly cranky little guy. We took our older DD, who really enjoyed the time alone with mom and dad.
My ds really bonded with the grandparents (out-of-state) while he was with them, a bond that has continued even though he rarely sees them. He also has a lot of self confidence about going off to summer camp and things like that, which I think is due to the fact we left him, and it was a positive experience. So good things for them can come out of leaving them behind, too!

 

[powellrj]

I wouldn't worry about leaving her at home. Your older children will enjoy the mom and dad time and the baby will enjoy the time with grandparents. Our kids are spread out age wise (21, 14, 8) and we have always done this when the youngest was a baby. We have great memories of our trips with our oldest DS and now that he is on his own, our youngest 2 now have their time with us.

 

[dreams4disney]

My DS had his first Disney Trip when he was 14 months old. He had a great time. We all had a great time. He has 3 older brother's so I was a bit worried about everyone being happy or slowing them down. Every thing worked out perfect. He is going to be almost 3 on our next trip.
I know a few people who have left the baby at home too. I am sure that worked out great for them as well. I am sure it all depends on how long your stay is too.
I would feel guilty leaving my baby at home. That is only me and I in no way think that any one else should or would feel that way or are bad for not feeling not guilty. It is just the way I am.

I am sure what every you choose will work out.

 

[BettyCv]

Another mother posted a similar question a while back. I will answer you the same way I answered her - I would be concerned about the message this sends to your older daughter. Will she start to wonder if/when SHE is going to be left behind?

As for "knowing" that you'll be going back to Disney... You may certainly INTEND to, but we all know how quickly circumstances can change. Financial, health, etc. I am not saying that to try to "scare" you into taking your baby. I know we can't live our lives in fear of what may or may not happen. I'm just telling you what would be going through MY mind if I were thinking about leaving one child at home.

I agree that taking Grandma would be a great compromise!

I hope whatever you decide, that you have a wonderful trip. We will be there in May, also.

Betty

 

[julia & nicks mom]

I think you should take her -

my mom left me at home when I was about a year old and said she cried the whole trip - adn I of course will never let her live it down!!!

at 13 months my DS was totally fascinated with everything!! I think it is a really fun age to take a little one to Disney - it was the first place I really remember him getting excited with things - he would grab my hand and point to make sure I didn't miss anything and he loved to play with the character's noses!

my kids are not ones to stay in the stroller - but in the 3 trips to Disney - this has never been an issue with them - I think they are so mesmerized the stroller is a great place to take it all in!!!

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

We took my son at 13 months and then I took him again alone (was visiting a friend) at 15 months. He loved the trip and we all had a great time. I personally would never leave my child to take a trip with another child. I have only left my kids for surgery overnights and two nights for buisness. I am usually an at-home-mom and though I spend tons of time with them all day I would really not enjoy the trip without them. I do agree with those that said take grandma with you. I wish I had that option.

 

[rt2dz]

If what you want to do is leave your 13m home, then do so without guilt. It is an individual family decision. I don't think parents are awful for doing so, but I would never take one (or more) children with DH & me and leave one (or more) behind. For us, THAT is a family vacation. And, to me (I may be wrong), if doesn't sound as if you WANT to leave your 13m at home.

We took DS#2 for the first time at 7 months (DS#1 was 3.5). It wasn't easy per say do to all his extra health issues. But it was worth every second. Yes, a baby can enjoy things, and learn and benefit from them without remembering them. I did not find WDW any more difficult than any other day at home. Then there was the extra benefits/memories of things that would not have happened without him there. Pocohantis got down on the floor and played with him, and him alone, for over 20 minutes. There were many other experiences like that which are totally priceless and don't happen with children who are up and walking. I have many adorable memories, and pictures, that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world.

We're going back in May and DS#2 will be 15 months (DS#1 is 4 & I'll be 5.5 months pregnant). He only slightly tolerates the stroller, doesn't like to be held, won't hold anyone's hand, and is just down right irritable (sp?) most of the time. I think it would be the most miserable vacation without him. Being without him for 11 days would kill me. Not to mention knowing all that he would be enjoying while we were there. All those pictures without him... And I know he can remeber it, he remebers other things all too well and he is hardly an advanced child.

We have another trip planned for December 2006. DS#1 will be 5.5, DS#2 will be one month shy of 3, DS#3 will be 15 months, and if all things work out I should be about 5 months pregnant with #4 (unless we do decide 3 is enough). Both dh & I are looking forward to this trip.

You may also want to consider this: The first time my parents took my sisters to WDW, they left me behind with my grandmother. It was such a huge regret on both my parents part. They went and got me, and took me with them the next day. According to my mom, they all had a better time with me there. I was 2 and my sisters were 9 and 7.

If I hadn't gotten pregnant, I was going to take DS#1 to WDW shortly before his 4th bday as a special mom & son treat and not take DS#2 with us, but DH wasn't going with us either. Unfortunately, I wasn't going to be able to take DS#1 on 1/2 of what he loved best (Goofy's Barnstormer, Dinosaur) being pregnant. The first trip we baby swapped, this trip I can't go anyhow so we'll just sit out the height restricted rides.

 

[pweyl36]

We left ds home when he was 2.It was our first trip my dd was 6.We went with my sister ,her husband and 7yr daughter. I just didnt see any reason to take my 2yr old son and really trying to do disney and universal in 7days.my mil offered to babysit w/my son.He had a great time with grandma,And my dd
felt like and only child,because she was still feeling like we loved her brother
better than her. So she got us all to herself.We would not have been able to
do the parks 2xs each,plus 2 days in universal with a 2yr old. we left at 9am
sharp and never got back untill 10pm. besides till this day my son is 3 1/2 and never once ask how come he didnt get to go to disney,because he was having so much fun being spoiled by grandma. On our 2nd trip to disney,we will wait to my ds is 5 or 6yrs till we go.
The only down side to my ds staying with grandma was he got to sleep in the same bed with her ( both of my children sleep in there own beds) but when we got back my ds refused to sleep in his own bed and at 3 1/2 he is still sleeping with us. BUT DONT FEEL GUILTY ,your son will have a great time with grandma,and your dd will have a great time having you and
your husband all to her self for a few days.

 

[PolyAddict]

Some rules to follow....

1. Make the decision yourself, don't let your DH or anyone else affect your decision!!!

2.See rule number one.

Some of my biggest regrets I have involve other well meaning people telling me what to do. We took our youngest DD at 9 months. NO REGRETS there. I do remember a woman stalking me and finally coming up to me and saying how sad she was that her baby wasn't with her. I literally cannot function when I am away from my family. There is no way I would enjoy myself. OK maybe without my now 13 year old DD. She is grouchy about anything that doesn't involve her friends.

Just follow the rules and you wil have a great time.

Michele

 

[MandM-Mom]

Thank-You for all your thoughts about leaving DD 13 mths home with Grandma. I have jumped back and fourth with the idea and we have decided not to bring her, but I guess we will see a day or so before we go how I am feeling. Things could change. We are spending 5 days 4 nights but the way our flights are coming in and out we only have 3 days in the park, which won't allow for seeing too much, and we want DD 4 to really enjoy herself, she has been so good with having a new baby sister she deserves some time too. If we were going for anything more than 4 nights I would bring her because I couldn't stand to be away that long. We have left the older DD to go on vacation before so it won't be a first for us. My DD 4 was 18 mths old when we left her and she doesn't even remember that we went any where.
Also my DD 13 mths has severe skin allergies and we are concerned what the sun might be like for her. She has not had the opportunity to wear sunblock yet and I am a bit nervous to be away on vacation for an outbreak. She is allergic to everything, eggs, any scented perfumes, soaps, and also has severe eczema on top of all of that. So we have to be severly careful with what she comes in contact with, once an outbreak occurs he is very uncomfortable.

Thank You for all your thoughts on this matter!

 

[ksjayhawkfan]

We are going for the first time in June and we are leaving our baby with Grandma and Grandpa. He will be 6 months old by then and there is no way I would even try to take him. Just do what you feel is best for your family and all will turn out fine.

 

[OKSTATE99]

We have a May trip planned and it will be our first family vacation to disney. We have traveled with our children and gone many places but have been reluctant to take the Disney plunge. Since we knew once we start we would be addicted. I think the world would be too much for our DD who is 13 months old. We are thinking about having her stay with grandma so that we can take our DD who is 4 by herself. I feel awful about it, but DD who is 13mths does not walk and does not like to sit too long in a stroller. We feel it might be more torture than fun for her at this age. Is that awful to leave one home and bring the other? We know we will come back again because we take annual family vacations, but I feel like an awful person for leaving her home!!!!!!!!!

Dont worry. We are leaving our DD 18 month old with nana as we take our DD 4 to the world (May 8- 14 at WL). You know your kids, and what they will accecpt. Our youngest doesnt like to be held or in strollers only wants to walk at her own pace, so in line she would be a holey terror. We are coming back within a year so she will come then. So dont feel guilty. And your 4 year old will have more fun since you can just do want she wants, and wont have to worry about the younger sibling.