DL or BBall?

[KCSunshine60]

When we were at Dland this summer, we bought annual passes. We live near San Francisco and drove to Dland for the first time. We were planning to go back the first weekend of November. The kids are off of school that Thursday and Friday. So, we have a nice long weekend for the trip.

Well, my 5th grader plays basketball. He's on a CYO team and his school's team. They just published the schedule. Not only does his school team have a tournament that Saturday but his CYO team has their first game that Sunday.

So, if we go ahead with our trip, he misses the entire tournament and his other team's first game.

On the one hand, I'm thinking "It's just 5th grade - there will be plenty more games". But, on the other hand, he did make a committment to the team when he signed up.

So, what to do? I guess the right thing is to stay home and support the teams so he knows that commitments sometimes require sacrafice. But, secretly, I'd rather go to Dland!

Ok, Disney parents...what would you do?

KC

 

[minnietoo]

When we were at Dland this summer, we bought annual passes. We live near San Francisco and drove to Dland for the first time. We were planning to go back the first weekend of November. The kids are off of school that Thursday and Friday. So, we have a nice long weekend for the trip.

Well, my 5th grader plays basketball. He's on a CYO team and his school's team. They just published the schedule. Not only does his school team have a tournament that Saturday but his CYO team has their first game that Sunday.

So, if we go ahead with our trip, he misses the entire tournament and his other team's first game.

On the one hand, I'm thinking "It's just 5th grade - there will be plenty more games". But, on the other hand, he did make a committment to the team when he signed up.

So, what to do? I guess the right thing is to stay home and support the teams so he knows that commitments sometimes require sacrafice. But, secretly, I'd rather go to Dland!

Ok, Disney parents...what would you do?

KC

Here's my opionion (and you already said it) - he (and you) made a committment to the team when he signed up (you signed him up). The message you would be sending by not having him go to his first game and his tournament is that committments mean nothing if something else looks better. Sorry - but you need to honor that committment. You can go to DL anytime - just not when he has already committed to this.

I would also be careful about talking about this too much in front of your son (or other kids) - he can't be made to feel guilty for "causing" the family to miss a DL trip. Make plans for another time.

 

[jemilah]

If you have annual passes can't you go another week? Maybe to celebrate his teams win or a condolence trip if they don't?
My youngest has been sick alot this year and is afraid if he misses more school he will be responsible for ruining our families planned trip ....and no one even mentioned that to him, don't make your boy feel bad! You will go , just another time, life gives set backs , just re-plan.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

If I already had it booked, or if this were the only time the family would be able to go, I would go to Disneyland. You can't put your life on hold waiting for the basketball schedule to come out, and I'm sure this kind of thing happens occasionally.

However, if I could go to DL at a different time and make the tournament and first game for the other team, I'd go with that.

 

[minnietoo]

You can't put your life on hold waiting for the basketball schedule to come out

If you made a committment - then that is what is expected of you (or the player). If you don't or can't be avialable for practices and games - then you shouldn't sign up.

 

[KCSunshine60]

You're right about the committment...but...

The school schedule did not have this tournament on it. They just added it to the schedule this week (schedule was published prior to signups and then the tournament was added at the parent meeting on the first day of practice this week).

And, for the CYO league, the first game was published as November 15th. They sent out an email this afternoon saying that the schedule had been moved up and games would now be starting on November 5th.

So, that is why I'm having a hard time with this. We planned this trip back in August. In fact, it was the main reason we bought the annual passes (we said - we'll definately come during the November break and if we can sneak in another trip in June or July next year, it will be worth it). We booked the hotel as soon as we got back in August.

So, the trip has been planned for several months. The game schedules changed after we signed up.

If it were the other way around where we knew going in that we might miss games, it wouldn't even be up for debate.

KC

 

[autumnbaby9]

If the school changed the schedule at the last minute then they should expect some people to not be able to show up. You commited yourself to the previous dates not the new ones.

I would ask DS what he would like to do, don't put any pressure on him just ask what he would perfer.

 

[bclydia]

The fact that these dates were changed does make a difference. You had taken all the commitments into account when you made your vacation plans. Now, the teams need to take your commitments to your family into account. They cannot change things like that and expect that everyone can still make it.

 

[kylieh]

As a former sports team coach for 14-15 year olds it happened quite a bit kids missed a game because their family was going on holidays. it was expected and that's one of the reasons for reserves. I'd hope that your son's coach would also expect that this could occur.

I wouldn't hesitate in taking your trip - you had this planned before the schedule was changed and other games added.

If it was me and they changed it my DD would miss the games.

Perhaps ask your son. Go with what he wants. Perhaps he could play the extra tournament and miss a regular game further down the track?

 

[minnietoo]

ITA - if the dates were not posted when you signed up - and/or were changed after you made the committment to the team - everything changes. If you have plans for the "new" dates - then go! and by all means have fun with no guilt!!!!!!!

 

[disneegrl4eva]

I agree with the other posters...it would be one thing as you indicated in the beginning, to go on a trip when commitment to the team has already been given...but if they change dates and you've already planned this trip, then you have nothing to feel guilty about...that, in my opinion, would be putting your life on hold for basketball...go to DL and have a great time

 

[Albort]

yea, if they change the dates, you dont have to commit to it. Like everyone say, ask what your son wants to do. THen decided on that point. If you can find another team's player and have a sleep over. If that doesnt work, then maybe one parent stay home? But either way, i doubt you can cancel your hotels and tickets...

 

[LukenDC]

So, the trip has been planned for several months. The game schedules changed after we signed up.

:

Just as you know that commitments must be kept, the adults in charge of the game schedule must know that poor planning and sudden changes lead to fewer participants. Go to DL without guilt!

 

[mdburd]

How about asking your son which he would rather??

Since you can use your passes at (virtually) any time (as long as the stars align with work and the rest of your lives), see if he'd rather do the tourney, etc or go to Disneyland that weekend....

 

[stampinshauna]

Since it affects your son, I'd give him the choice.

 

[jeeperwy]

I had this same problem with football. We were supposed to fly to Disneyland tomorrow, but when the football tournament schedule came out I changed our trip to the end of the month. I didn't want my DS to miss out on that with his team. It cost me $300 to change the airline tickets and had to change from the Grand Californian to the Disneyland Hotel, but I was proud of my DS for sticking with the "grueling" schedule and wanted to show him that I supported him and his team (and his coaches who have donated their time). If it had been the beginning of the season I might have thought differently, but with it being the end we changed our schedule.
Hope you get to go soon!!

Good luck!!!

Kari

 

[jemilah]

Yes do what your son wants , I also did not know the game plans had changed, good luck!