Considering only taking one child

[DisneyPhD]

I'm in a similar situation now. I have 4 kids -- 12, 7, 6, 3. My dd12, we really scrimped and I took her on a mom-dd WDW trip for her 8th birthday. It's a long story=, but her dad was supposed to take her and did something with all the money instead, that involved a new wife (a 21 yr old). DD was crushed, some of that WDW savings had been her money. So my dh and I threw together as much $ as we could, which was just enough for oldest dd and I to do a quick, budget trip. Then we saved and took the whole family 3 yrs later (last year).

Beth

I just have to say...........
What a wonderful thing to do for your DD. So sorry her father was such a .............. well I will leave it at that and say "What a great mom and step dad!"

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

I travel for my job and will be in Orlando 2X this spring. I'm not using DD as an excuse as someone suggested. This trip will be 100% focused on her. She deserves it. She is an excellent child and gets a lot less attention than I'd like to give her because her brother takes a lot of time and attention.

Being a competitive older sibling who lost a lot of attention to an ADHD, Ritalin-addicted younger brother (who, by the way, is 27 now and makes more money than I do –– and is watching my DD tonight while DH and I go to dinner), I would have KILLED for a little one-on-one time with my Mom. And I doubt DS will want to stand in line to see Belle, Aurora, Snow White and Cinderella, have tea at the My Disney Girl Tea Party at the Grand Floridian, or go to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, anyway!

 

[nliedel]

Being a competitive older sibling who lost a lot of attention to an ADHD, Ritalin-addicted younger brother (who, by the way, is 27 now and makes more money than I do –– and is watching my DD tonight while DH and I go to dinner), I would have KILLED for a little one-on-one time with my Mom. And I doubt DS will want to stand in line to see Belle, Aurora, Snow White and Cinderella, have tea at the My Disney Girl Tea Party at the Grand Floridian, or go to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, anyway!

That's the main problem to being a Mom to four boys. No one wants to go to a tea party or see a Princess!! I want to borrow a girl!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I've mulled this over in my head as well. My DS takes a great deal of my time. I was considering taking just my girls and leaving him home to hang out with DH. I just can't do it though. Hopefully it will be okay and I still have my sanity by the end of the trip. I am considering though bringing my mom along to help out a bit.

 

[loles]

Reading this thread, I remember that I had considered the same while planning this spring's trip. My older DD is nearly 5, and the little one will be 18 mths at the time we plan to go. I did consider asking grandma to keep her, but she asked if she could join us instead! So, me, DH, DDs (4 and 1) are going with DG and DA for a week. Two sitters instead of one! This is also during the week of my 10th anniversary, so DH and I plan to take a little us time too. I am hoping it will work out great.

OP - I think your idea is wonderful. My DH didn't consider leaving the little one behind because he wants to go, and she would be a bit much for grandma for a week alone. Plus, you are planning a short trip. Go, enjoy and DS won't really remember. How much do you remember from being 3?

Whatever you decide, post it here! Love to hear about it!

 

[pweyl36]

FOR HEAVENS SAKE,GO .YOUR SON WILL NOT BE TRUMATIZED,HE'LL BE WITH
MOM-MOM AND POP-POP.WE LEFT MY 2YR OLD DS WITH MY MOTHER IN LAW
AND MY 16YR OLD DS AT HOME BECAUSE WHEN YOUR IN HIGH SCHOOL YOU CAN NOT MISS A WEEK OF SCHOOL UNEXCUSED.DD WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT COULD GO.MY BOYS ARE NOT SEEKING PROFESSNAL HELP BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT GO HAVE FUN GO NEXT TIME YOUR DS CAN GO.

 

[epcotfan]

I'd do it. A mom/daughter trip is a great idea. You can always do a mom/son or father/son trip later.

 

[daisax]

I vote to absolutely go. A 3 year old may understand Disney in the abstract, but if he hasn't been, it's all theoretical to him, and if the situation is presented as the girls going one place and the "men" going and doing something else, I can't imagine a 3 year old boy not puffing up and feeling proud that he's going to just do guy stuff for a few days.

It's all in how you present it to him, and there's no need to present it to him in any other way than that they're both getting special surprise "vacations."

And if he's the rare 3 year old who truly does somehow sense a disparity, tell him he'll get his turn there when he's older. And keep the promise, of course!

 

[jeepgirl30]

After mulling over all aspects I booked a Mother/Daughter trip for sept. With the free dining I couldn't resist. We are doing a very low budget trip just to introduce her to Disney and have some quality time together.

In a few years we will go back. DH and I have been to Disney a few times and have always said how much we wanted to take kids when we had them AND when they were ready.

I've read a few posts on "how old is old enough" and honestly that just can not be answered by anyone but the parents. I've seen infants that seem so content and i've seen screaming ones.

As for chasing my wild child boy around, its not that I don't want to its that I don't want to do it on vacation. I do it everyday! Its not even that I don't want to chase him it is the fear of so many chances of something happening to him or my DD while my head is turned dealing with DS.

I have to travel a lot in May for work. DS is going to be staying at my parents a few days at a time here and there. My DD is crushed because she will be in school and can't. Someone said about it not being the same but you know to a 3 year old with no clue of what Disney is, it sure does. DS absolutely loves his Boppa (he gets Bubba and Poppa confused so it comes out Boppa). The bond between a little boy and his grandfather is so important, especially when the grandfather is such a loving Saint. Disney will be waiting when the little man is ready, and so will I!

For now though I'm ready to burst with excitement for the lil Princess to go and be the center of attention for a couple days. I'm trying so hard to wait until the airport to tell her.

Thank you again for all the replies.

 

[DisneyPhD]

jeepgirl30, I am so happy for you and DD and I hope you have a lovely and mgaical time!

We go in less then 3 weeks and I am pretty darn excited myself! (we are heading over to Vero Beach for half of the week also.)

 

[Tink1999]

Do it. Based on what you described, the 3 year old will be a nightmare in WDW. Leave him home with Poppa and Dad and go with your daughter.

Your DD5 is into the princesses now and it won't last long. We went when my DD was 4 1/2 and was really into the princesses. She's 7 now and we're going again and she "doesn't want to do any princess stuff this time". She got rid of all her princess stuff this past fall. It goes fast.

 

[1stluvispooh]

Ok I can relate on several levels. My DD can also be manic and not sleep (one of the reasons we are staying off site at a 3 bedroom condo this trip) but it sounds like your son REALY doesn't sleep. DD will fall asleep eventually say around midnight and after a day settles into vacation mode. I say go take your daughter have a great time. Then take your son to Day out with Thomas. My son was a Thomas freak as well (ok he just turned 8 and picked out Spencer to get with his gift card!) We took DS to Thomas when he was 4 and he had such a great time. I thought when he first laid eyes on Thomas through the car window he was going to jump right though it! If Poppa is his best friend he will truly think he got the better end of the deal. Good luck have fun!

 

[rigs32]

It's a moot point, but after working through the tread I wanted to make it anyway.

Whenever you do anything in a group, you are subject to the needs of one members - the slowest, pickiest, etc. With a tough child and a not-so-tough child, the tough child will typically set the standard, pace, and overall have more control over what the group does or experiences. Since DS has little interest and Dad will be home, too, I see your trip as a great experience for you and your DD. To make her subject to her brother's needs for years to come, it's nice to take time out and ensure she has a good time in ways that she's interested in.

We know that Disney trips cost more, but do the kids really know that? How many posters talk about kids preferring values to deluxes because of the theming?

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

Jeepgirl, I'm so happy for your and your DD, you are going to have a wonderful mother/daughter trip! I totally think you made the right decision, but that's not even important, it's not for any of us to decide what is right for your family, only you! My DD 6 and I just went last month for her birthday and we had a very special time together! Enjoy!

 

[HappyLawyer]

wow, that must be a tough decsion, i personally feel that i would not take a child to disney until they are at least 4, now with that being said, i would not go without a child, so when the next one comes, we will be waiting,
but each situation is different,
good luck in your decision.

 

[zookeeper]

Congratulations on your decision!

I also booked a trip when the free dining came back. I'll be going back this Aug. with 2 of my 5 kids, DS9 and DS8. The other 3 DD6, DS4 and DS1 will have a nice week at home with Gramma and Daddy. Before I booked I made sure everyone understood that this time the trip was special for the older boys,but next time (2007 or 2008) it would be just for #3 and #4. DH doesn't really want to go back until the baby is old enough to remember the trip so we'll all go back as a family in about 4/5 years. The kids all seemed OK with it. I'm sure it'll be tough for those left behind when it's not their year to go, but taking all 5 kids by myself just isn't an option and I don't want to wait 5 years to go back to WDW! So in the end, I guess it's really all about me!!! Oh well, 5 kids later there have to be SOME perks for me don't there???