Help! Desperate Mom in need of advice!

[Momto15]

I am going to Orlando in early March with a Moms group for a special getaway for Moms who are parenting really troubled adopted kiddos. I have been planning to go on this retreat for nearly a year and have been so looking forward to it. There are over 80 Moms going this year and since I am coming from so far (Pacific NW), the Moms that are traveling with me from here decided we will stay a few extra days so we can visit Disney of course!

Well since making the plan to go etc. my sweet baby girl (11 months) is still nursing and I am trying to determine if I should bring her along. I haven't spent more than two hours away from her EVER. That throws a big problem into the mix because children aren't allowed at the retreat. Its for Moms to getaway from the kids, not to be WITH other peoples kids.

(Am I rambling on )

Anyhow...so now here I am without a place to stay. The retreat is taking place at Emerald Island resort and I have looked into renting a small condo or something right there. But since I can't participate in the retreat with the baby, its always an option to get something somewhere else. I found some good deals on ebay to get something at the WBC... but I don't know much about it. Then I see that there are tons of really nice looking hotels and such. I am just not sure where to start.
So everyone... if you were going to be in Orlando with a bunch of Moms for a few days and wanting to visit Disney... then also wanted to have some down time for you with your baby... where would you stay?
(This is definitely still a retreat for me to be away with only ONE child. As you might see from my signature I do have 15 children and one very special girl who is making her wish trip to Disney in April!)

If you can point me in the right direction that would be great. Staying on site was a thought until I saw how far my money would go. (not far )

Thanks in advance for your help!
Blessings,
Sarah
Princess Angelina's MAW/Pre Trip Report

 

[mrsklamc]

I would just rent at Emerald Island since your retreat is already there. I understand it's pretty close to Disney.

 

[Momto15]

Do you know anything about Emerald Island resort?

 

[spiceycat]

Do you know anything about Emerald Island resort?

have not stayed there but they get excellent rating from here.

for your baby sitter
http://www.wdwinfo.com/just_for_kids/childcare.htm

there is also fairy godmothers

 

[Momto15]

Where can I find a fairy god mother?
I had thought I would be sitting out rides with the baby while the other moms play...but if I could play too...oh my the thought makes me giddy!

 

[5forDis]

Is there any chance you could bring your mother, sister, friend with you to watch the baby while you are at the retreat?

If you are skipping the retreat all together, then I'd look for deals directly on Disney property & not have to deal with renting a car. It will cost more but the convenience will be huge with an 11 month old.

 

[LordAthens]

Since the trip isn't for nearly two months, any chance on getting her on a bottle and having her stay at home? I assume that her staying at home was the original intentions, so you likely had a sitter / family / etc in mind for her care while you were gone?

I guess I'm not understanding your thinking on this. You want to go to a retreat where children can't be, so you're paying for a retreat that you aren't going to. Then, you're paying to go to Disney to sit walk around with your daughter while the rest of your group goes and has a great time? Don't get me wrong, I agree that you can have fun chatting while sitting down for dinner, etc, but attractions are a large part of going to Disney.

I am the father of a 3 year old DD and a 14 month old DD and right now, there is just no way I would consider taking them to the parks, not without grandma at least. Grandma doesn't care about Disney, she just wants to be around her granddaughters. It would be pointless for my 14 month old to go, she simply wouldn't enjoy it for what it is and while I'm sure my 3 year old would love to go, she gets exhausted at our local amusement part after 5 hours. If we were local and had an annual pass, absolutely I would take her. Next year, maybe two, when she has grown a little more, is a little more self sufficient, etc I will take her, but for what park tickets and airfare cost right now, I don't want to be spending half of the time at the hotel.

And regarding the sitters, while I'm sure they are a good group, I just can't imagine the thought of leaving either of my daughters, especially my 14 month old, for any amount of time with a complete stranger.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Since the trip isn't for nearly two months, any chance on getting her on a bottle and having her stay at home? I assume that her staying at home was the original intentions, so you likely had a sitter / family / etc in mind for her care while you were gone?

I guess I'm not understanding your thinking on this. You want to go to a retreat where children can't be, so you're paying for a retreat that you aren't going to. Then, you're paying to go to Disney to sit walk around with your daughter while the rest of your group goes and has a great time? Don't get me wrong, I agree that you can have fun chatting while sitting down for dinner, etc, but attractions are a large part of going to Disney.

I am the father of a 3 year old DD and a 14 month old DD and right now, there is just no way I would consider taking them to the parks, not without grandma at least. Grandma doesn't care about Disney, she just wants to be around her granddaughters. It would be pointless for my 14 month old to go, she simply wouldn't enjoy it for what it is and while I'm sure my 3 year old would love to go, she gets exhausted at our local amusement part after 5 hours. If we were local and had an annual pass, absolutely I would take her. Next year, maybe two, when she has grown a little more, is a little more self sufficient, etc I will take her, but for what park tickets and airfare cost right now, I don't want to be spending half of the time at the hotel.

And regarding the sitters, while I'm sure they are a good group, I just can't imagine the thought of leaving either of my daughters, especially my 14 month old, for any amount of time with a complete stranger.

IT sounds to me like you (OP) really could use some alone time. Time to spend with other women in the same situationas you. Sometimes it is most important that you put your needs on the front burner. I BF so I know what it is like trying to leave a nursing baby. If your baby was very little , under 6 mos I would say maybe you should try to go to a retreat at another time. But your baby is still little bu not so little that she can't make it with out you for a few days. Like the PP above I am not sure how the retreat would be a retreat if you were not able to take part. Like you said this is a time for Moms to go away w ithout kids. I would think the same would be true for the time after the reteat is that you had planned to go to WDW with the other ladies. You don''t want to be sitting by while others are having fun and rejeuvenating themselves. Not to mention the other mom's might not say it but they might resnt (maybe too strong of a word but...) the fact that it is supposed to be a mom's alone time trip and you brought your child into the mix. You need to come back from this trip with a fresh mind ready to go back at it again. You can't do that if you are taking one of your children along. Start leaving your DD with a sitter a trusted friend or family member in preparation for your trip. If you really commit yourself to doing this it can be done. If she doesn't want a bottle, she is old enough to start training on a cup. Otherwise bring along someone who is willing to just hang out with your daughter the entire time and not go to any of the events or to WDW. Beyond that if you aren't able to leave her behind for one reason or another or take someone else along who will be entirely comitted to your DD while you are entirely comitted to the Retreat, as much as it sounds that I am a Debbie Downer, I would choose not to go.

Adding: I In the 17 1/2 years I have been a parent I have RARELY left my children for more that a few hours at a time. I mean that as in I can count the numer of times on one hand maybe a hand and a half. But there have been a few times when it was necessary and though I cried as I left, I did leave them because it is important to get away and regroup so you can be the best parent you can be. Sometimes that means taking a day or a week away.

 

[kkandaj]

Are you planning on weaning your DD soon? If not, I don't see how you would go to WDW without her, for more than a couple of days.

When I was BF'ing, I had to travel on business for 4 days, 1500 miles away. Of course, I had to travel with my pump, literally pump in airport restroom stalls, figure out how to store my BM and get it back to Missouri from New Hampshire. 4 days of milk is actually a lot of BM. This endeavor was not fun and I would've avoided traveling without my BF child if I could've.

I am all for women getting breaks...especially a woman with 15 children, one having special circumstances. I have two kiddos (DS has some special needs of his own) but can't imagine 15 children. If you want to make this trip, I agree that maybe taking a sister, mother, friend along that is strictly going to entertain the baby would be a good idea. You could even let that person go to the parks with the other moms one of the days, just to say thank you. That could give you some one on one time with the baby.

I do have to say that if I went on a "mom's only" trip, half way across the country, I wouldn't be happy if a mom brought a 13 month old. Then again, the other moms would probably understand that with 15 children, this may be the ONLY way you can get away.

Good luck in your decision!