Help me to make my boys feel special?

[Disneyadore]

I'm planning on taking glow sticks and stickers to hand out randomly by my children (random acts of kindness). I got this idea from other Disers. That is a great way to make kids feel special. It's an automatically good feeling when you do something kind for others.

Well I'm very sorry but I would never allow my children to accept anything from strangers.

 

[tjbaggott]

Well I'm very sorry but I would never allow my children to accept anything from strangers.

But of course my children will first ask the parent if it is ok to give a glowstick to their child. Other Disers have done this. One lady on here said they handed one out to a child (with parental permission) who was having a serious meltdown on the bus back to the resort late one evening. The little tyke was probably just over tired. That little random act, was SO appreciated by the parents, as their child stopped crying, the glow stick was a good distraction.

 

[Disneyadore]

But of course my children will first ask the parent if it is ok to give a glowstick to their child. Other Disers have done this. One lady on here said they handed one out to a child (with parental permission) who was having a serious meltdown on the bus back to the resort late one evening. The little tyke was probably just over tired. That little random act, was SO appreciated by the parents, as their child stopped crying, the glow stick was a good distraction.

But how do you explain a child that taking something from you ,as a stranger, is good and that next day that strange man who's handing out candy or would like to show his puppy to him is wrong?

I'm sure you have the best intentions but sorry I think its just not a good idea.
As you see I've watched my children always like a German Sheppard dog.

 

[tjbaggott]

But how do you explain a child that taking something from you ,as a stranger, is good and that next day that strange man who's handing out candy or would like to show his puppy to him is wrong?

I'm sure you have the best intentions but sorry I think its just not a good idea.
As you see I've watched my children always like a German Sheppard dog.

To be truthful, I do understand your point. I teach my children that if I or their father are not with them, they are to never accept anything from a stranger. However, if I am wth them, I will judge each situation on it's own as to weather I'd tell them it was ok or not ok. I feel this is Disney, it's spreading a little pixie dust and teaching my children how to spread some kindness and share with others. My 6 and 12yr olds think it's a wonderful idea, and I wouldn't have got the glowsticks if they were not also on board with spreading some joy. It's great you watch your children the way you do, in this World today, we all need to be so watchful.

 

[JeMarie6]

I'm with you OP. Nothing wrong with making their day special. The parent here is taking responsibility of making the child feel special by arranging a special meet up. If they can't talk to strangers how do you expect them to talk to Mickey Mouse much less a cast member at the park? We hope to do PIN trading which will totally involve teaching kids to talk to strangers. Yes, there are definite boundaries to teach your children when talking to strangers (like only with a parent's permission while the parents are around), but every new friend was a stranger once. I know I am blessed to live in Iowa and to have faith in my fellow dissers, but I too am looking forward to speading the magic at Disney to lots of 'former strangers'

 

[JeMarie6]

But how do you explain a child that taking something from you ,as a stranger, is good and that next day that strange man who's handing out candy or would like to show his puppy to him is wrong?

You teach them to only accept it with a parent's permission when a parent is around. Are there really children who have never gotten a lollipop or a sticker from a store clerk? Isn't that accepting something from a stranger?

 

[disykat]

Since the OP isn't reading anymore I just have to say I laughed out loud when I read this. I'm one who always giggles at the "how do I make WDW special" posts, but this takes it to a new level!

 

[Disneyadore]

You teach them to only accept it with a parent's permission when a parent is around. Are there really children who have never gotten a lollipop or a sticker from a store clerk? Isn't that accepting something from a stranger?

A store clerk is someone you know. He's not a random stranger you ask on a board to meet you and give something to your children.

And no I never allowed my children to sell cookies ore do any other fund raisin. We always did send a check to the school ore club.
We hate sending our children begging around for money.

Thank god in our country Halloween does not exist.
And in spite that my children obviously missed a lot they grew up to normal adults and believe me if they ever will give us grandchildren this German Sheppard grandma will guard them the same way.

 

[CdnCarrie]

On your first trip to WDW why on earth would you want to constantly be checking your watch to ensure you are in the exact spot to "meet" a random stranger? Wouldn't your child rather be on the rides then waiting for a surprise comment?

 

[JeMarie6]

A store clerk is someone you know. He's not a random stranger you ask on a board to meet you and give something to your children.

And no I never allowed my children to sell cookies ore do any other fund raisin. We always did send a check to the school ore club.
We hate sending our children begging around for money.

Thank god in our country Halloween does not exist.
And in spite that my children obviously missed a lot they grew up to normal adults and believe me if they ever will give us grandchildren this German Sheppard grandma will guard them the same way.

Oh, I love Halloween! Now while I rarely know store clerks, I do usually know those from whom we trick or treat from. I also love that everyone is different, it is part of what makes the world a wonderful place to live. I'm all for more random strangers telling my children how wonderful they are. I just told a random stranger the other day that I thought her hair was beautiful. It made her day and didn't cost me a thing. Lots of ways to spread the magic whether at Disney or not!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I'm with you OP. Nothing wrong with making their day special. The parent here is taking responsibility of making the child feel special by arranging a special meet up. If they can't talk to strangers how do you expect them to talk to Mickey Mouse much less a cast member at the park? We hope to do PIN trading which will totally involve teaching kids to talk to strangers. Yes, there are definite boundaries to teach your children when talking to strangers (like only with a parent's permission while the parents are around), but every new friend was a stranger once. I know I am blessed to live in Iowa and to have faith in my fellow dissers, but I too am looking forward to speading the magic at Disney to lots of 'former strangers'

If some random vacationer came up to my children offering them personalized Mickey ears and started telling them how great they were and that Mickey told them that our kids going to Hollywood they would be completely creeped out. That is not normal behavior. Sorry but having a CM - who works there and is part of it all- versus some ramdom vacationer is completely different. A CM might make a nice comment etc. My kids would want to know how that ramdom vacation person knew their name etc. and it would bother them. We are not paranoid people but my kids aren't stupid. They know that normal people don't walk up to you out of nowhere bringing gifts and knowing all about you. It is disturbing behavior imo.

ETA- We do talk to strangers and I will compliment someone if I like something. That is completely different than what the OP is suggesting.

 

[Zeebs]

A store clerk is someone you know. He's not a random stranger you ask on a board to meet you and give something to your children.

And no I never allowed my children to sell cookies ore do any other fund raisin. We always did send a check to the school ore club.
We hate sending our children begging around for money.

Thank god in our country Halloween does not exist.
And in spite that my children obviously missed a lot they grew up to normal adults and believe me if they ever will give us grandchildren this German Sheppard grandma will guard them the same way.

So you mean to say that my 3 year old asking if your child/grandchild would like one of his stickers would be refused on the basis that he is a stranger.

This is what he did while waiting in line to meet Daisy Duck, and thankyfully the little girl thought it was lovely and took the sticker.

For some reason, this makes me incredibly sad. Probably because I refuse to believe that everyone in the world is out to get my kids, I will teach them to beaware of their surrounding the people around them, I will teach them that there is nothing they can't tell me.

Kirsten

Sometimes, it is a world gone mad on stranger danger.

Kirsten

 

[Zeebs]

Oh, I love Halloween! Now while I rarely know store clerks, I do usually know those from whom we trick or treat from. I also love that everyone is different, it is part of what makes the world a wonderful place to live. I'm all for more random strangers telling my children how wonderful they are. I just told a random stranger the other day that I thought her hair was beautiful. It made her day and didn't cost me a thing. Lots of ways to spread the magic whether at Disney or not!

You did what!!!!!! OMG clearly you were trying to kidnap that person. Please don't do that kind of stuff.

I once offered to help a lady carry her shopping to the bus stop. You could tell she was struggling but you could also tell she was very wary about letting me help her. I didn't steal it and she was very appreciative.

Compassion and kindness people that is what the world is lacking.

Kirsten

 

[Disneyadore]

So you mean to say that my 3 year old asking if your child/grandchild would like one of his stickers would be refused on the basis that he is a stranger.

Kirsten



Kirsten

If a child ask this spontaneously its a whole different matter than adults buying stuff to hand out at children they don't know.
I think planning to approach strange children to give them what ever "you" bought especially for this occasion is a very creepy thing to do.
Of course this is not an affront towards you .

 

[JUJU814]

There is a HUGE difference between a spontaneous compliment and a forced, pre-planned declaration of specialness. A parent should not rely on strangers to make their kids feel special. It is exceptionally creepy that the OP feels that her children are so exceptional that they want to plan for random people to tell them. What will snowflake do when the rest of the world feels they are just average? Seriously. Most three year olds are full of personality. It's not that unusual.

Really, if your kids really are that special, then it will show. If you have to ask people for compliments, meh, not so much.

 

[tinkslite]

I agree that my older kids would feel "creeped out" by a stranger knowing their names and handing them a personalized gift.
At 6 and 3, if Mom and Dad started talking first (this is my friend we met on the disboards and have been writing to one another, hence NOT A RANDOM STRANGER) then the teen/children of said "friend of parents" handed a "gift from character," my kids would not have seen that the same as an adult trying to lure them AWAY from parents with candy, gifts etc.

I am sorry that the question bothered folks. To each his/her own. I don't walk up to every child in the park and randomly hand out mouse ears!

I come here (disboards) for a "feel good" fix. I don't expect hostility. I try to spread the "feel good" fix. I am sorry that some didn't approve. I won't take pics of, hand candy to, or otherwise "gift" your kids. No worries.

My kids knew that it was ok to talk to strangers (even adults) when standing next to parents who were also talking to those people (if you aren't safe standing next to mom and dad, then there is no such thing as safe).

 

[islandmum]

sorry but I have to say this is the weirdest thread I think I've seen yet!

Why on EARTH would anyone want people to come up to your kids and tell them how special they are?? More bizarre than I can even imagine.

To go to Disney once for most people is one of the most memorable and special things in their lives and childhoods ..... what is it with people wanting to be even MORE special, how far do you want to go? What is this mad urge to make everything amazing, totally over the top, more awesome than awesome can ever be, doing Disney isnt enough - we want MORE attention from the CM's, we want MORE towel animals, we want to get birthday greetings every day of our trip even though the birthday is just for one day etc etc etc

..... our parents didnt do it to us and wow diddly - we made it to adulthood just fine.

odd odd odd .... very very odd.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

If a child ask this spontaneously its a whole different matter than adults buying stuff to hand out at children they don't know.
I think planning to approach strange children to give them what ever "you" bought especially for this occasion is a very creepy thing to do.
Of course this is not an affront towards you .

OK, so if my four year old hops in the car, goes to the store and buys stickers to spread the magic...not creepy. If I hop in the car, go to the store and buy stickers for DS to spread the magic...creepy?

We do always buy extras for the kids to pass out to others (glow sticks, stickers, etc.). In fact, DS will even give them to adults who look like they could use a little magic.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

sorry but I have to say this is the weirdest thread I think I've seen yet!

Why on EARTH would anyone want people to come up to your kids and tell them how special they are?? More bizarre than I can even imagine.

To go to Disney once for most people is one of the most memorable and special things in their lives and childhoods ..... what is it with people wanting to be even MORE special, how far do you want to go? What is this mad urge to make everything amazing, totally over the top, more awesome than awesome can ever be, doing Disney isnt enough - we want MORE attention from the CM's, we want MORE towel animals, we want to get birthday greetings every day of our trip even though the birthday is just for one day etc etc etc

..... our parents didnt do it to us and wow diddly - we made it to adulthood just fine.

odd odd odd .... very very odd.

DS4 had a difficult first few years (some medical issues, lost his biological mom in a car accident and more I'd rather not go into here), and DNiece7 has also had not such a fairytale life. So, yep, if I can I will go out of my way to make their special moments extra special, their Disney vacations extra magical and their lives easier.

My mom did it for me (my childhood was very similar to DS's down to losing a parent at a young age), and I made it to adulthood just fine, too.

Even if we all lived charmed lives, I'd still make our time together extra special when I could. To everyone else in the world, they're just "another kid." When they're with us, we can make it magical for them.

Our magic doesn't negatively effect anyone else, I imagine, so we'll keep making it.

 

[Disneyadore]

OK, so if my four year old hops in the car, goes to the store and buys stickers to spread the magic...not creepy. If I hop in the car, go to the store and buy stickers for DS to spread the magic...creepy?

We do always buy extras for the kids to pass out to others (glow sticks, stickers, etc.). In fact, DS will even give them to adults who look like they could use a little magic.

To each his own and if this floats your boat

I personnel would never approach strange children unless they would be in immediate danger.
I never considered it my duty to make cranky children happy that are obviously worn out by there parents.
It is MY duty to keep MY child happy, take time to nap ore eat something. That there are parents that press the last drop of blood out of there children just because "they payed Disney enough money" is not my problem.
Next year my sister, BIl and my niece will be joining us and I can tell you that if a stranger would approach my niece my BIL would be very pi......

I guess German Sheppard blood runs through our veins as a family, perhaps we are even werewolves who knows