For the families with an only child.

[HappyLawyer]

This might sound stupid but i was wondering if it ever makes you sad that you only have 1 child to take to disney. Sometimes i feel my dtr would have better time if there was another child to play with, however we all know how sibs sometimes get along and sometimes not, i have been planning a pregnancy but i have been so busy i postponed it as i will be be over worked and stressed while pregnant, so i moved the date. Do anyone have any idea what i am talking about, my words are not comming out right, i know we make the most of our vacations no matter what but sometimes i wish

 

[pezpam]

I know what you mean, but after our first trip, just DD and I, my fears were gone. We had a BLAST and returned the following year. To be honest, while there are a lot of cool things about bringing more than one kid, I kind of like the luxury of having just the one. No fights over who gets to choose the next ride, no getting one kid to a ride the other refuses to go on, no arguments over who got the bigger ice cream, only one sleep schedule to work around.......

I guess what I'm trying to say is that Disney is Disney - one kid or four or whatever, you're going to have fun as long as you stick with what the kid(s) can handle.

 

[HappyLawyer]

don't get me wrong we have a great time when we go, i guess i'm just kinda weird tonite.

 

[Kasmir]

I was an only child and there was never anything that I loved more than my parent's undivided love and attention.

I understand what you're saying, but I would be surprised if your DD regretted not having a playmate in WDW.

But maybe I was weird -- I never wished for a sibling because I liked all of the attention...

You're probably feeling melancholy because you wish that you could be pregnant right now... Just try and look at it like this is one of the last trips in which you can give your DD soooo much attention.

Keep your chin up! Time moves quickly...

Sheila

 

[Gillian]

Hi! I'm an only child & sometimes I wish I had a sibling. But mostly it was fine.

Now I have two kids, boy & girl 3 years apart. They love each other but sometimes I think one of them will seriously hurt the other. I guess they'll grow out of that! It's just that the little one is so strong & fearless. And the older one encourages it. Still, I'm glad they have company. I love seeing DD learn from her big brother! Today she was "flying" a paper airplane around the room, making airplane noises. I certainly didn't teach her that! Honestly, it takes a little pressure off me, a stay at home mom, because I don't have to entertain two as much as one.

Just enjoy your family the way it is. If you are active parents and don't mind being a kid on your vacations, your DD doesn't need others to play with. But also, don't worry too much about when to have another one - there will never be a perfect time! If you think you want one, just go for it!

It sounds like you have some great vacations planned -- I'm sure they will be a blast!

 

[Savin4Disney]

I am an only child (on one side of the family - I have a half sister) and have only 1 child. Although I would have loved to have more. But just did not happen.

We are going to Disney in Nov. and I was worried if DS and I would have fun alone. He went on a Grandma/Grandson trip and they had fun.

So now my sister and niece are coming with us. We will still have some time alone and I plan to talk to her about giving her the same. Since we arrive so early and leave so late. We almost have 2 whole days alone.

 

[3disAddicts]

Yeah, I know what you mean. Sometimes I feel kinda sorry for my little guy too. But then I think about growing up with 2 other siblings, and while it did have it's positives, there were a few negatives as well. Like filling in as a "punching bag" when my older brother was having a bad hair day. DH was an only child and he says he never once felt that he missed out on not having siblings. Many of my friends who were only kids say the same thing. Believe it or not, YOU are probably your childs best friend. Just remember to never lose the magic of being able to view the world through your childs eyes.

 

[Disneyonmymind]

I have a busy career (way too busy, actually) and two DD (7 yrs apart). First DD was a very high-needs baby (cried the whole first year - wiped us out) but then became a VERY easy child from age 1 on. We just enjoyed the break and put off the next one. I actually think we ended up just procrastinating on it just like we do many other things.

As soon as she learned how, DD started praying every single night for a baby sister or brother. We finally got "busy" but the second DD took her sweet time to arrive. I was beginning to think it wasn't going to happen...

I agree with the poster who said to forget about the best time. I was over-worked and stressed out during both pregnancies. In the end, you do what you have to for your baby and the firm/your clients can get along without you. The morning after I had my first, one of my co-workers called me in the hospital and was asking me questions about one of my clients. I remember thinking it was kind of surreal. (Leave me alone, I'm on major pain meds )

But I digress, your DD will absolutely LOVE your trip to WDW, sibling or no. All that undivided attention. What could be better to a small child! Maybe some day she will be the big sister but, for now, you and she need to find your joy in the present.
Hugs
Jackie

 

[SammieG]

I know exactly what you mean! My son is 5 and is about to make his 9th trip to Disney.

We go for 2 weeks + and to be honest after the first few days he is desperate for company of other children. I see him go up to other children in restaurants etc -- who just think he is crazy coming to talk to them.. but there we are in the child capital of the world and my son is lonely.

Of course we dont mind only having the one child with us, but I know he would enjoy it so much more if he had a brother or sister. At the times we have invited a friend along...his trip has been transformed, but 5 yr olds are too young to come without their parents, so it relies on happening to be out there at the same time as someone we know...
w
shame.. Id love another too,, but DH doesnt want one..so...

 

[WDWFOREVER]

My DS11 is an only child. However, when we go to Disney he has two other kids with him - me and his Dad!!

Jackie

 

[newholidayx2]

I agree Jackie
DS13 is an only but he's with the biggest kid on earth! Me

 

[pooksma]

I think its all in how you as parents choose to present it to your child. We took our DS last year at age 3 and we had a great time. We are going again in July and he's just as excited as we are. With the crazy busy everyday lives we all lead, I think its nice just to have some family alone time. He never semed to mind being alone, often played with others at play areas or in the pools and of course like Jackie said-he has two big kids with him as well.

You'll have a great time

 

[KimWDW]

I'm an only child and growing up I went to Disney World with my parents several times just the three of us. Every time was fantastic. I never wished I had a sibling. I had a great time with my parents at the parks, swimming, etc. Me and Dad would ride Space Mountain like 10 times in a row like a couple of twelve year olds. hahaha.

Then, one time as a child, I went to WDW with a friend of mine and her family (her, her brother, and her parents). It was the worst trip ever. Awful. She was moody and bratty and her parents fought all the time. All I wanted was to be there with just my parents instead because we were a much happier family.

 

[cocowum]

My DD9 is an only child and we have the best time!! Like others have said there's no fighting or bickering etc. My DD loves being the center of our attention. She definitely does not want a sibling.

 

[Stitch Inside]

I am not an only child (younger of 2), but while growing up, I sure wished that I was.

 

[devotedchristian]

My DS11 is an only child. However, when we go to Disney he has two other kids with him - me and his Dad!!

Jackie

This is so true.

{{{Hugs}}}

I have a 13 year old stepdaughter who does not live with us but visits every other weekend (when she doesn't have friends over at her house that is ).

We took her as an *Only*at the age of 11 with my 13 year old neice. (DS, 20months wasn't born yet)

She didn't like "the company" and said that "ruined Disney World" for her. She is at an age where she prefers to spend time with her friends and go to our local Six Flags over Georgia.

We aren't taking DS to Disney until the age of 3 and he will be the "Only" child, since DH and I have are done.

But DS's temperament can only tolerate other children for so long because he *prefers* to play either alone OR with me and DH and we love to play with him.

Although Dh and I are sure of having DS as *our* only child, we don't worry about him at Disney because of his overall temperament.

 

[SammieG]

I think it depends how long your trip is. We go for 17 or 18 days usually.. and up until quite recently have always stayed in a villa with own pool.

However, my son was missing the company of other children after the first week or so, and so now we always stay in a resort. Plus we always try and get him to do the pirates cruise or something similar so he is with other kids one day.

However, we always have a blast.. but I do feel sorry for him that he has no brothers or sisters sometimes. I have great relationships with both my brothers..

 

[javaj]

To the OP: I know exactly what you mean.

In fact, it was during our last Disney trip last December that we started thinking about having our next child. Of couse we gave it some thought after the trip to make sure that's what we want, but now we're TTC! Wish us luck!

 

[nowellsl]

My 20 year old "only child" has been my Disney partner for years. We occasionally go with other family members (cousins, aunts, uncles etc.) and we always come to the conclusion that we have a lot more fun on our own.

 

[DiznEeyore]

Our 12yo ds is our only. I think he'd like the idea of taking his best friend to WDW, but I know they'd end up fighting after a few days, so I've never suggested it. I do know he has a great time with his dad and me, and the times we've gone with family, he's loved being able to pal around with my mil or bil and not having to share them.

I've often heard the argument of having a second (or third) child to keep the other one company or so they won't be the only one to "shoulder the burden" of the parents in later years. I don't know that those are valid reasons -- there are no guarantees your kids will even get along (my brother and I got along 'til we were about 10 and 8 -- after that, forget about it) and there are no guarantees about the future. My sil's brother was killed in an accident 4 years ago -- she's now an "only". Her brother sadly won't be around to help with her parents (if they need it) in the future.

I say have another child if that's what you, in your heart, deeply want. That's the only reason anyone should have children. Not just to occupy an only. JMHO!!