Buddy System for "Only Child" - Idea

[RJake1]

We're going on our 4th WD cruise Aug 14. Our 7 yr old DD is an only child, and is always anxious to meet a playmate. Trouble is she's a little shy and is uncomfortable being left alone with a large group of kids so the Cruise Camp (or whatever its called) hasn't worked very well.

My idea is this - how about if WDC set up an 'only child' registry where the 'only' kids could sign up. WDC would then try to match them up, gender, age, etc. as playmates?

Does anyone think this idea has merit? If so, how would I suggest it to WDC? Thanks.

 

[traycie2201]

I think it's a great idea, email dcl through their website with your suggestion, in the meantime alot of kids and families buddy up through their dismeets, check out the cruise meets thread and look for the date you're cruising to meet others who'll be with you.

 

[Zandy595]

DS(8) is an only child too. He's been emailing 4 boys his age that he met on our Cruise Meet thread. When we get on the ship he'll already have friends to hang out with in the Oceaneer Lab.

The buddy idea would only work if the two buddies were in the club/lab at the same time. My DS only plans to be there a couple hours a day.

 

[aliwas]

I also sent out a request on our cruise meets forum for children my DS age and similar interests. I received a response, we communicated before the trip and my DS was so excited to meet someone from a state far away. They ended up meeting the first day in the Kid's clubs and hit it off. The only problem is they have to be there at the same time and that doesn't always work out, but they did see other fairly often and hopefully will keep in touch. See if there is a cruise meets forum for your date and ask around.

 

[AnnMorin]

And like many other only children is quite shy. What I have done is tell the club councilor each time about this and they are great at helping him "find a friend" Now that he is 11 and has been on four DCL cruises it is not as much of an issue but I still will give them a heads up again this year.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

RJake1, run, don't walk over to Cruise Meets. (It's the first thread you'll see at the top of the Disney Cruise Line forum page.) There's an ongoing thread there 'August 14th 2004, who's coming w/us?' where you'll meet a bunch of your fellow cruisers. I highly advocate this as we set up a DISboards meet for our cruise on May 29th and had a wonderful time meeting other families and lots of other children. You most likely will find other families (as we did!) who have 'only' children as well.

I very much agree w/your idea about an 'only child' registry. I would've helped us tremendously on our first two cruises. Our 9 year-old DD is also an only child who did not like the children's clubs either. We were lucky this year as we traveled w/another family. However, had I known about these boards, and the 'cruise meets' thread, it would have taken away our previous worries about her meeting other 'onlies' and other children.