Going alone with 4 children! Would you do it??

[hopeandtink]

We have a trip scheduled for Sept. 27-Oct. 4th. It is paid in full and airfare is purchased at a great price ($642 round trip for 6 of us). Well today DH found out that he will not be able to go with us because of work. He started a new job in June and they said the vacation would be approved. Well they have had 3 quit this past month and they need him during that week. I have 4 children ages 11,9,8, and 4. They are all very well behaved and I think I would do okay with them by myself. I was originally staying at ASM suites but was upgraded to a 2 bedroom at SSR.

Would you go???? Thanks

 

[MKandy]

We have a trip scheduled for Sept. 27-Oct. 4th. It is paid in full and airfare is purchased at a great price ($642 round trip for 6 of us). Well today DH found out that he will not be able to go with us because of work. He started a new job in June and they said the vacation would be approved. Well they have had 3 quit this past month and they need him during that week. I have 4 children ages 11,9,8, and 4. They are all very well behaved and I think I would do okay with them by myself. I was originally staying at ASM suites but was upgraded to a 2 bedroom at SSR.

Would you go???? Thanks

That is really up to you. If you don't mind leaving your husband at home, then I would go for it. Your children seem old enough and as you said, well-behaved, so I think you can handle that aspect.

One thing to consider: Walt Disney World will always be there. Don't feel the need to get there quickly before its gone.

With that said, it is my favorite place ever. If I were you, I would take every opportunity I had to go there!

I vote: Go for it! But get your husband something nice.

Have a magical day.

 

[UncleOrville]

I would probably still go - don't think I could bear losing that great a deal on airfare and the free upgrade! I would just be prepared to go slower than usual - take more breaks, get to enjoy the resort. And if you're concerned about keeping track of everyone in the parks, I would suggest matching or at least same-colored t-shirts (even though your oldest children may not like it ). Good luck in making your decision!

 

[babyfacebabe86]

If I could not get my money back then I would still go. If I could get my money back then I would cancel. But thats just me. It wouldn't be a vacation to me if there were no other adults. But the question is something only you can answer. Can your mom or a friend come with you and fill in for your hubby?

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I have 4 kids and yes, I would go.

 

[dkbnyc]

I would ask his employer to reimburse you for any money lost since he will be staying home.

 

[jaysbabe]

I would try to get another adult to go with me in the place of hubby as long as the air fare was transferable. Plus, the upgrade is a really good deal and those are few and far between.

If not, you know your kids better than anyone else. I can't say that I could do it because when I get to WDW, I become a kid myself and lose all sense of reason. :goodvibe -- Someone needs to be in charge and have a level head.

I am sure you will make the right decision.

 

[footballmouse]

I would go. You probably won't be able to get anything back for the plane tickets so you might as well use them.

 

[Goseethemouse]

Yes I would. I have taken my two boys at almost 3 and 5 alone and will take them again now that they are 4 and 7. Of course, four kids are more than two but as yours are older I think you should be fine (especially as you mentioned that they are well behaved - something I can't always say about mine)

Unless you can get your money back and easily reschedule the trip I would go ahead.

 

[tfoster]

I have four kids (ages 4 to 13) and I have to say I wouldn't bring them to WDW by myself. They're very well-behaved but I think it would just be too exhausting. I've brought them camping by myself for a few days and we've done fine, but WDW is an entirely different situation.

I'd look for a different adult to go with me or pay a responsible sitter-of-sorts to go.

You know what you can handle without getting too stressed or exhausted though. Best of luck in making this decision - it's a tough one, for sure.

 

[hopeandtink]

If I could not get my money back then I would still go. If I could get my money back then I would cancel. But thats just me. It wouldn't be a vacation to me if there were no other adults. But the question is something only you can answer. Can your mom or a friend come with you and fill in for your hubby?

I am ok being the only adult. I really just want to be able to have a good time with the kids. DH is not a Disney lover but tolerates it for us. He is ok staying at home in a QUIET house. I tried to get my mother to go but she is also not a Disney fan and doesn't want to take the vacation time. I really just needed to hear from others that I am insane for wanting to go anyway.

 

[tfoster]

I have four kids (ages 4 to 13) and I have to say I wouldn't bring them to WDW by myself. They're very well-behaved but I think it would just be too exhausting. I've brought them camping by myself for a few days and we've done fine, but WDW is an entirely different situation.

I'd look for a different adult to go with me or pay a responsible sitter-of-sorts to go.

You know what you can handle without getting too stressed or exhausted though. Best of luck in making this decision - it's a tough one, for sure.

Thought I should clarify that I'd still figure out a way to go. I wouldn't cancel the trip; I'd just find a way to get another caretaker there with me.

 

[VickynMickey]

First off, what does your hubby say? Being a single mom for the past 10 years, I would say yes go!!! What a great mommy vacation. You got the upgrade and the whole trip is paid for. Your 3 older kids are old enough, its not like you have 4 toddlers
I hope you still go and have a great time with your 4 kids. There are plenty more years to go as a family!!!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I am ok being the only adult. I really just want to be able to have a good time with the kids. DH is not a Disney lover but tolerates it for us. He is ok staying at home in a QUIET house. I tried to get my mother to go but she is also not a Disney fan and doesn't want to take the vacation time. I really just needed to hear from others that I am insane for wanting to go anyway.

Like I said before, I have 4 kids, and I love to travel. My husband owns two large tire and automotive businesses and can't always take time off to go with us, so I've gone on a number of vacations with the children by myself and we have always done fine, even when they were a lot smaller.

 

[WTP]

I would try to get a family member to come along so you can at least have a little time to yourself. Is there a grandma, aunt, or good friend you could invite along? You could offer to split their airfare and tickets, or maybe even they could pay their own way.

 

[geenerbell]

I'm sure you take your kids everywhere on your own while at home. Eg. malls, waterparks, pools etc. This will just be bigger and for a longer period of time. I think you are more than capable of doing it. The suggestion of bring someone else is a good one. You could also use the childcare centers if you find you need a little quiet time but with four kids you probable don't know what quiet time is anyway. Go!!! You can do this!!!!

 

[tnkr mom]

I found my no hubby trip very liberating, I had never been away with them by myself. Just me and the 3 kids to conquer Disney World, they have all been before so we had an agenda. I'll tell you it was almost easier, I made all the decisions, what next, where to eat, etc. For us it worked out we were a 2 and 2 on rides. We had a ball - DO IT!!)

 

[wolfetoney]

I would do it. The great thing about being on property is you can always head back to your room to rest and give you and the kids some down time.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I'm sure you take your kids everywhere on your own while at home. Eg. malls, waterparks, pools etc. This will just be bigger and for a longer period of time. I think you are more than capable of doing it. The suggestion of bring someone else is a good one. You could also use the childcare centers if you find you need a little quiet time but with four kids you probable don't know what quiet time is anyway. Go!!! You can do this!!!!

I was thinking that too, mothers of four don't really have any quiet or alone time! lol! And I surely have never needed or even thought of going off and being by myself on a family vacation to Disney World.

 

[ShannonMB]

I wouldn't think twice about it! Especially since it sounds like your DH is not exactly dreading the quiet time! My DD and I went without DH last time, and it was sort of nice to have someone at home holding down the fort and enjoying the quiet time while we had the time of our lives at the World! Granted, we only have 1, but you're surely used to the madness of 4 by now! Go and take advantage of that upgrade!!!!