Did I just make a mistake?

[disneycrazzzy]

I have booked a 10 day visit to WDW in April, 2005 for just me and DS11 and DS7 (DH staying home). I have begun to compose an email to my SIL twice to let them know of our plans. I wanted to give them a chance to join us. Both times I've deleted the email before sending because I am looking forward to having a "just us" trip.

 

[DWhittles]

How about being honest with her?
Tell her you are more than happy to have her and her child along but you began planning this trip as a mommy daughter trip and you really would like to try to have some time alone with your kids.
In fact, why don't you suggest the day that her mom is visiting be your alone day with your kids?
You wouldn't be out of line IMHO and if she thinks you are you might want to rethink your travel plans...

 

[tjmw2727]

I take my two dd's to WDW alone lots and a few times I have had people join us. The first time it was a good friend and her dd (my older dd's best friend), once my SIL and neice and another time my SIL solo.

SEPARATING is key - you have to have some time for yourself, (imho) for this to work. The first time I was lucky as my dear friend and I had the same idea - spending 1-1 time with our dd's was the priority. We shared a room and headed off to our separate parks in the am and then usually met for an early dinner and some evening park time together. This was IDEAL as by 7ish we were ready for adult company and the kids could share the day and play a while. We did Epcot and MGM generally in the evenings with one late evening at MK. It was helpful in the evening to have an extra adult for potty runs and food especially while saving spots for spectro, Illuminationations etc.

I followed this plan with the next few "visitors" we had and it works well. If this is the type of friend that can share a vacation with you I think you have to start honest discussions of what you each expect from the trip.

If you let her know that 1-1 time with your dd's is a priority perhpas her feelings won't be as hurt and she will start to plan her 1-1 time as well. Make sure she starts checking this website as well as deb's and a few others and gets excited about planning her days. If she understands how easy it is to navagate the parks (assuming your staying on-site) and how much there is to do she may be more excited to "do her own thing".

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[mrskay9]

have fun. Sounds like a great trip.... now! 3 days to go huh? I'm so jealous.

I'm sure it'll be magical.

 

[ksoehrlein]

Thanks, everyone, for all your support and well wishes. This trip does not seem meant to be, but I am pressing on neretheless. Not only did my friend offer to come along and then back out, but then I found out that my mom was hospitalized so I went to NJ to see her last weekend (everything is better now), and THEN, yesterday morning, I fell down 2 steps and sprained my ankle!

After all that, I almost cancelled the trip, but I'm feeling better this morning and I am SO determined to carry out this crazy plan!

I now have a sling for my little guy and twin harnesses (leashes or reins for you British folks out there) so I can keep tabs on both kids while they stretch their legs. (Even at the age of 4, DD was once separated from me by pushy people in line at Pinnochio's Village Haus and it was a scary 7.5 seconds for BOTH of us -- the harness should prevent that from happening again) I've made name tags with instructions to "please take me to the Baby Care Center if you find me." Anything else I should do in this, the 11th hour?

I'm feeling as prepared as possible thanks to all the help from my friends on the DISBoards. Thank you all!