Foster/Adopt WDW Advice

[DisneyDreamers2007]

We will be taking our 2 foster children to WDW this upcoming year, they are 3&5. Any foster/adopt parents out there with tips for a 1st visit?

 

[Gracie09]

It was very overwhelming for our foster dd (now in the process of adopting). Go slow. We made the mistake of doing buzz lightyear first and it was a disaster and took us two or three days to get her on any other inside ride. Let them lead. They may want to play in the fountains of epcot for hours but have no interest in say Nemo.

An important factor is their background and how comfortable they are with you. If they are new placements or come for a really bad background it could be very rough going. Have a double stroller with a good canopy so they can block out everything if they need to.

 

[DisneyDreamers2007]

Thanks so much Gracie, that's wonderful advice!

 

[Camshell]

My experience is with an adopted child.

I'd say that chances are they have a history of developmental trauma, so they will probably get stressed more easily, show that stress in a more intense way, and take longer to calm down. I would think WDW by its very nature is very over stimulating and not their regular routine. I would watch for signs of stress very closely and not push anything on your trip. Your focus should be on bonding and meeting their needs.

Given they may act out you want to focus on things like "time-in" (http://lovinadoptin.com/2014/02/21/7-reasons-why-time-in-not-time-out/) and gently calming them (and their over stressed brains) when they are acting out, rather than punishment. Developmental trauma has most likely caused a change to their brain chemistry which requires you to work on trying to bring their stress hormones down.

Remember while their physical age may be 3 and 5, there emotional age may be much, much younger. Parent them at their emotional age (which may even be closer to an infant).

Good luck on the trip. Hope you and the kids have a fun time

 

[MSSANDRA]

Im sure you have already thought of this, but be sure you are cleared through the county to take them, and if you are in a county where you have to have the bio-parents permission, be sure that once they agree they can not resend on the consent. Thank you for loving and caring for these children. You all are blessed!

 

[br200305]

Maybe someone out there has BTDT...we may or may not have an additional child by the time our trip rolls around. We are booking this week and would like to stay at a value resort. If we book a value resort (for our family of 2 adults/2 children), and kiddo #3 ends up being with us during that week...what happens? We aren't doing a dining plan or anything, so we would just need to add an extra ticket. Would would happen with our room reservations...would we have to upgrade to a moderate resort (which isn't really in the budget)?

 

[Gracie09]

Maybe someone out there has BTDT...we may or may not have an additional child by the time our trip rolls around. We are booking this week and would like to stay at a value resort. If we book a value resort (for our family of 2 adults/2 children), and kiddo #3 ends up being with us during that week...what happens? We aren't doing a dining plan or anything, so we would just need to add an extra ticket. Would would happen with our room reservations...would we have to upgrade to a moderate resort (which isn't really in the budget)?

It depends on the age of the child. If they are under 3, then you are fine. If they are over 3, you have to move to a room that will accommodate 5 (so some moderates, suites etc) or add a second room
oh if you make adrs, make sure you call and add the child. You don't want to be in a situation where you were turned away from a meal or couldn't all sit to ear.