Flounders advice needed...

[tbuot]

We have two boys...one is 2 the other is 5. I know that the older will check out the clubs. I am a bit nervous about Flounders in terms of how patient are the counselors with a child that is not used to different babysitting situations. What I mean is he probably will cry and be upset when we take him there. He does go to a "preschool morning out" two mornings a week and he does go to the church nursery on Sundays. Both he is fine with but, he does cry at the church nursery most Sundays when we first take him there. He even knows the teacher very well she was his preschool teacher last year and completely dotes on him.

I don't want him to be miserable and we need some advice on the signing up...we would not be using this service during the day and maybe only a couple of nights during the 7 night. Maybe if we go to a movie or have a drink. Max. 2 hrs. each time....

Will they throw him out if he doesn't settle right away (not saying that we would want him to cry for a long time...over 15 min. or so) or do they deal with this type of thing...how tolerant are the counselors?

How many children/counselors are usually in there during the evening hours?

Do they have times where we could take him to play with us to get used to the space?

Please forgive the rantings of a neurotic mom....it's his trip too and I would like for him to have a good time as well.

Thanks in advance--

 

[jel0511]

I just returned from the 11/3 Wonder and can't say enough good things about Flounders. The counselors are GREAT!!! I believe the ratio is 4 to 1, so it's pretty good!! It is really a great place and they will have fun. One note, you have to sign up for a minimum of 2 hours each night, and you should do it as soon as Flounders opens, because they do fill up quickly. We took DS there first, and talked to the counselors and signed him up first. He loved playing with all the new toys!! After about 15 minutes, I left with DD 4 to sign her up in the Club, and DH stayed with DS so he could get used to the place. He really enjoyed it, and didn't even notice when we left. I'm not sure on the crying aspect, but I know that they won't let them scream for hours, I believe the cut off is 15 - 20 minutes before you'll get paged to pick your child up. I believe they do have family time scheduled every day, but I don't remember when it was... The counselors are very loving and caring. One night, we went to pick DS up at 9:30, and he was being rocked because another crying child had woken up and upset him. They were just so great, and if we take another cruise before DS is 3, I wouldn't hesitate to leave him there again. This is coming from another neurotic mom, who doesn't like to leave her chidren at all!!!! We even peeked in one evening, and he was having a GREAT time playing with the counselors!!!

 

[jlmcantwait]

Hey Lori,
How was your daughter the first time you left her in the club? My son goes to daycare so I am hoping there will be little or no drama dropping him off, but they can be unpredictable!!! Any thoughts would be great !!!!! Laurie

 

[jel0511]

DD was GREAT!!! She had watched the cruise video to death before we had left, so she knew all about the clubs and clammored to go there!! She LOVED IT!!! She always ate her dinner so fast and then asked to go there. We only allowed her in there after dinner so we could also get some family time on the cruise. One time, she didn't want to go in because she didn't think anyone was there. They were off to the side doing an activity, once she realized that, off she went. DD goes to preschool 5 days a week, so she's used to being away from us, and she really enjoyed it!!!

 

[tbuot]

Thank you Lori for your comments. I feel better knowing that a mom felt like it was a good place. I, like you don't like to leave my kids and will probably be like you and take a peek at him. He is a independant little guy and I know once he gets over the initial "oh your leaving me here" he will have fun. How old is your DS? Just curious in terms of different ages / different experiences. Do they have toys that toddlers like? Or is it a majority of baby toys?

Great suggestion about taking him during registration. I will take that advice and sign him up and leave DH to play with him while I sign up DS in the club.

 

[jlmcantwait]

BEAUTIFUL!!!!
We took late seating for that reason. I figured daytime family stuff... take a nap. Then let him gobble down his dinner while we have our apps...then drop him to the club in between courses. I would love to say my son does not have an endless supply of ants in his pants but it is just not so!!!! I figured why fight with a kid to stay in his seat just let him go have some fun!!!
Then maybe......................Mommy & Daddy can have a little fun too!!! Huba huba!!!!

 

[jel0511]

Whoops... I forgot the most important information... My DS is 19 months old. They did have all types of toys, most seems suitable for the over 1 set, though they did have a couple baby toys. They have those tables, with toys attached, a few ride on toys, balls, etc. There also is a TV with mats set up in front of is, where they show Disney cartoons and the like. DS really doesn't watch much tv, but I did see him "lounging" and enjoying the show. It was actually really funny!!!! Don't worry about anything, your DS will have a great time. When we checked in my DS for the first night, DH and I just walked around the ship lost for the 2 hours we were alone. We didn't know what to do with ourselves!!!! We were like lost people!!!

 

[Gillian]

My son, 24 mos, went to flounders 3 times. the first time he was happily playing trucks with one of the counselors when we left. The second & third times he knew what was happening & cried a little. The counselors are so sweet! They will hold & rock the crying children (but not past 15 minutes, I think). Ours was fine within a minute or 2.

 

[disney6]

I would definately promote Flounders as his CLUB! Since the 5 year old has a club the 2 year old may like it better if it is presented as his CLUB instead of babysitting?