Having a bad day

[BWVPam]

I am having a terrible day. I am getting a little ancie for our vacation (leave 2 weeks from tomorrow) My dh left this morning to be gone all week to Arlington, VA, and then my best friend called to tell me they are moving. Her husband has to be relocated as early as next week. My kids are devastated as our kids are the same ages and are best friends (for the last 10 years). My daughter can't stop crying and I am afraid I have been pretty upset too. What should I do to get everyone's mind off of this and back on to happy thoughts of our vacation.

Thanks for listening.

Pam

 

[B'rer Karen]

Oh that's too bad Pam. I know how upset all of you must be. At least you have this trip to cheer you up. I would try and focus on the trip by having your kids tell you what the first thing is they want to do when they arrive. What's the first ride they want to ride in each park, what's the first treat they want to have, etc. Maybe pull out pictures of a previous trip and relive happy memories. Good luck.

 

[karemore]

I don't think you should try to get their minds off having their friends move.

This is an opportunity to teach them healthy ways to deal with things that happen in life.

Help them find ways to feel better, come up with ways they can keep in touch, help them make scrapbooks or something with memories of their friendships....make up address labels so they can pen pal....

Their feelings and yours are very real.

You'll all enjoy your vacation more if you don't have unexpressed emotions eating away at you.

I'm very sorry for your family and wish your friends the very best in their new home.

Karen

 

[shatzjsl]

Originally posted by karemore
I don't think you should try to get their minds off having their friends move.

This is an opportunity to teach them healthy ways to deal with things that happen in life.

Help them find ways to feel better, come up with ways they can keep in touch, help them make scrapbooks or something with memories of their friendships....make up address labels so they can pen pal....

Their feelings and yours are very real.

You'll all enjoy your vacation more if you don't have unexpressed emotions eating away at you.

I'm very sorry for your family and wish your friends the very best in their new home.

Karen

I agree with this 100%. Kids have grieving processes they need to go through, too. Fortunately, their hearts usually heal quicker than adults so they should be fine by the time you go to WDW.

So sorry this is a bad time for you and your family. Cyber hugs for all of you.

 

[Miniefan]

Maybe you could invite your friends on the trip, not sure where you are located, but it would be a good memory for both of your families to make together. I am sorry I know you must be upset, but make sure you let your children know that just because they are moving it doesn't mean they won't see or talk to them anymore. I hope you can get through this the best way possible.
Kim

 

[WDWLinda]

Sorry to hear this put a damper on your trip. I don't have any new advice, just good wishes...

It'll all work out OK and I'm sure you'll have a great trip. Once you're there, the real world kind of fades.

Good luck!
~Linda

 

[BWVPam]

Thanks for everyone's thoughts. I really wish they could go with us, but unfortunately, they just came back from their vacation (went to Branson for parent's 50th wedding anniversary) and now they have to make this move pretty quickly. The kids want to spend a lot of time with them right now, but unfortunately, their son is gone to a camp this week and their daughter is at the grandparents. Next week they will be gone to the grandparents to pick up the daughter and they get back about the same time we are leaving for 2 weeks. As soon as we get back, my son is leaving for camp for a week. Just seems like it is going to be hard to get everyone together.

Well, i sure appreciate everyone's thoughts. I know we will all get through this, but this sure is a hard time. We will be about 800 miles apart, so some vacations can still be arranged.

Thanks,

Pam

 

[nativetxn]

I'm sorry that your friend is moving away. I've been through that and it is very difficult

Can you watch the planning video? That might cheer you up.

I'm going to move this to our community board for you. I'll bet everyone there can cheer you up, at least a little bit.

Katholyn

 

[cindy21494]

This happened to us last year. My Best Friend moved to California. Our DD's have been best friends since kindergarten. My DD spent the last day with them before they left, and we all cried when it was time to say goodbye. I think it is good that you are going away, it will take everyone's mind off the fact that they are leaving.

DD and her best friend talk on my cell phone all the time (free nights ). We also e-mail each other all the time. This June they are coming back for a three week visit, and next August we are going out to California to visit them. Well, we're also going to Disneyland!

Kids bounce back very quickly, so I wouldn't be too worried. What I did to help DD through it was take as many pictures of them together as I could (we have several sleepovers in a two week period). Then we made doubles and put together a photo album to send to her friend once they got to their new house. We enjoyed looking at the pictures and remembering the fun times they had.

As for how to get your minds back on the trip, that may be hard to do right now. I would watch Disney movies and look through a book on Disney (Birnubaum) and plan what you will be doing each day.

Good Luck, and hugs all around.

Cindy

 

[Pooh67_68]

How about a movie?

 

[RickNWendy]

a local 'friend field trip' to a mall, six flags, or something of that nature .Make sure to get pictures, and help build a scrapbook.

Seems valid- and also odd that I would think of something like that. I am a guy that went to 5 elementary schools and now will be moving my family when Uncle Sam tells me to- so I guess I am becoming a more 'well rounded' thinker.

Oh well, I am babbling out loud