Do your kids tell the truth about their age?

[Abra Cat]

So many times on these boards, I've seen posters reprimanding other posters for lying about their young children's ages to get the in for free. The most frequent argument I read is, "What if a CM asked your child his/her age?" Now, before anyone gets their knickers in a twist— I am not advocating lying. What I want to know is, how many of your children will tell their true age? My son is 4 1/2, but insists that he's 7, like his sister. When he was 2, he said he was 4. I would imagine a lot of kids do the same, and I can't see a CM taking a small child's answer with more than a grain of salt.

 

[HappySpirit]

But if you don't lie about the ages then you don't have to worry (which I would worry) about getting caught. If you get a 3 day park hopper pass then you use the same ticket all 3 days. That would be 3 days of worry and guilt for me and I wouldn't enjoy myself because of it.

 

[Amirah95]

I have no experience with this, but do CMs really ask parents the ages of their children? At what point? After you slide your PH through?

 

[Abra Cat]

Like I said, I am not advocating lying. I simply want to know how many kids tell their true ages when asked. If it makes it easier for you, how would they respond if you asked them in your own home?

Originally posted by HappySpirit
But if you don't lie about the ages then you don't have to worry (which I would worry) about getting caught. If you get a 3 day park hopper pass then you use the same ticket all 3 days. That would be 3 days of worry and guilt for me and I wouldn't enjoy myself because of it.

 

[KJMAX1]

My daughter never lied about her age to anyone and she is 5. I dont see why lying to a Cm is an advantage. I have never had anyone working at WDW or DL ask my kids ages when we bought tickets either.

 

[PlutoPony]

Hmmm... my son has always known how old he really was (OK, maybe when he was < 2 he didn't). I distinctly recall him proudly telling people his age all the time, especially after he'd had a birthday! So, lying about his age would have REALLY confused him . He was very excited to turn 5, as that's when you need your own ticket to ride the Metro here in DC - the first time we rode after his 5th birthday he was telling everyone that he had his own ticket now, etc.
In general, I think young children are pretty proud of how old they are, and may think and talk about it more than we're aware....

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Abra Cat,
I know exactly what you're saying. I have a neice, the youngest of all the neices and nephews, who would never accept that she was younger than my son and nephew, who are both 3 years older than she. Her mother always told her how old she really was, but that wasn't the age she preferred. When she was 2 up until she was 7 or 8, she would always tell anyone who asked that she was 3 years older than she really was, and get veeerrry upset if anyone disaggreed with her. After a while the boys just accepted it, and decided that it wasn't worth trying to win an argument with her.

 

[tmfranlk]

My best friend's sons are the same. Her oldest was always 10, like his sister. The youngest was always "2, nooooo 4!" (like his brother). I know lots of kids that add a year or two to their "real" age.

 

[disneymom3]

I get your point! When DS was two his i standard response at the time was either 11 or 7! Cracked me up. And he was very adament about it too!

 

[frstimer128]

Before my DD's 4th Bday, she would tell everyone that she was going to be 6. She would cry if I ever told her she was going to be 4! She would always wish on those puffy dandelions and her one wish was to be 10. Yikes!
I think it is something that they go through at that age because they see other big kids and the things they can do and it must be appealing to the little ones to be big too.

 

[Trish5768]

When asked how old he was my DS (then 4) would quote Bruce Willis in the kid and tell people "40 in a couple of days"

 

[dirkus]

And tells anyone that is interested. I would never try to lie about it to try to save some money but we once went to a museum that passed out these self-guided tour sets -- a device with a headphone that you press a button corresponding to a number on a placard and it tells you about that area. These were free but they had a rule that kids had to be 6 or older to get them.

To make a long story short, I knew he would love using one and so tried to quietly tell the attendent that he was 6 (he's big for his age and could easily pass for that). DS heard me and soon the whole museum knew that he was 5 and darn proud of it.

Needless to say, DS didn't get the device but before we went anywhere and right in front of the attendent, I gave DS the one I had, he put it on and powered it up with no problem! The attendent never blinked an eye but wouldn't give me one. I ended up enjoying it more becuase I got the 5yo translation!

 

[MateasMom]

I have a 3YO and 5YO. My 3YO will proudly tell people that she is 5YO....

We're in SoCal and frequent Disneyland. Older DD had BEGGED to go on Goofys bounce house from the time she was barely 2YO, but the age limit is 3YO. For her 3rd Bday I took her to DL and let her go on the bounce house. The CM saw how tiny she was and asked how old she was and she said 2YO....he looked at me and said that for insurance reasons they have to be 3YO. I said....Oh no no, she just had her Bday, she must not realize....then I say to DD, remember your bday party, that means you are 3YO now. CM looked at me like I was the biggest liar in the world. I felt like every other parent there was staring at me like I was a horrible parent. DD did agree that she was 3YO and went in the bounce house, but I felt like an idiot the whole time.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I was asked how old DD was when we were going in MNSSHP. The CM was putting a wrist band on her and asked me. I told him she was 3 (which is the truth) and the thanked me for being honest.

 

[alloyd1170]

I have a 2.5 yr old son and up until a month or so ago, when asked, he would say hes 2. Now, he says hes 3, or sometimes even 5! Where he got this from I dont know. Hes learning how to count and gets the first few in order, but then jumps around. I think he just likes the sound of some of the numbers. Problem is that he looks like hes 4 or 5! Usually he wont talk to strangers, but he surprises us sometimes. I might make a small copy of his bc to carry with me to WDW since he will turn 3 a few weeks after we are there. He does have an id bracelet (stainless steel thats engraved) that shows his bdate. Maybe that will be enough (who would spend money on something nice and falsify the info? I know, someone out there might).

alison

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

Originally posted by Abra Cat
The most frequent argument I read is, "What if a CM asked your child his/her age?"

I asked that question yesterday?


Since age two, my kids have known their age.

When my kids mispronounce a word, I tell them the correct pronunciation. Likewise, if they say their wrong age, I correct them.

 

[beattyfamily]

My kids are very proud of their ages and will absolutely tell the CM their real age.

I have nothing to worry about though as I would never attempt to sneak them in so there'd never be a need for the CM to ask my kids anyway.

 

[Abra Cat]

Obviously there are people on here determined to misunderstand my question. Thank you to the people who answered who were able to put it in a context other than Disney.

I dont see why lying to a Cm is an advantage

Can you please point out where in my posts I said lying was an advantage?

When my kids mispronounce a word, I tell them the correct pronunciation. Likewise, if they say their wrong age, I correct them.

I have nothing to worry about though as I would never attempt to sneak them in so there'd never be a need for the CM to ask my kids anyway.

I hope neither of you sprains a shoulder patting yourselves on the back.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Abra Cat
I hope neither of you sprains a shoulder patting yourselves on the back.

Haven't you read the guidelines for posting? No arguing or being sarcastic...your comment to my post was not necessary, IMHO.

As far as I'm concerned your question is moot as there just would be no reason for the CM to ask my two DDs their ages, but if they did for some reason, my kids would not lie...they are proud of their ages, thankfully. Sorry you took such offense to my post voicing my opinion.

 

[Abra Cat]

If sarcasm is verboten, then perhaps there shouldn't be a sarcasm smiley, but... my apologies.

Also, if my question is moot as far as you're concerned, then so is your answer. But thanks anyway.

Originally posted by beattyfamily
Haven't you read the guidelines for posting? No arguing or being sarcastic...your comment to my post was not necessary, IMHO.

As far as I'm concerned your question is moot as there just would be no reason for the CM to ask my two DDs their ages. Sorry you took such offense to my post with my opinion.