Hiring a Mother's Helper for single mom?

[sharbev]

Has anyone done or considered hiring a mother's helper to help out in the parks? I'm taking my two toddlers to MK and MGM by myself and was just thinking this might be an option.

Maybe even hire a Passporter so they get paid, but you wouldn't have to buy them park tix?

Thoughts??
~ shari
(who thanks to this board has now gained the courage to make this trip happen - yeah!)

 

[LuvOrlando]

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[dlstc]

I took DDs (then nearly 5 and 2 - still potty training) to all the parks, including character meals, the water parks, buses, the monorail - by myself. We went mid-May and had a great time. What problems are you anticipating? If you prepare, you should be okay.

Diana

 

[livndisney]

I went ahead of my DH when the kids were little and did just fine by myself, in fact I REALLY loved being alone with my kids. WDW is set up really well for families and now that there is the Magical Beginnings program the hardest part (getting there with luggage) is taken care of for you (I used Towncar service which was $$$). Once at the resort it was easy, I had my stuff and my stroller so we were good to go .

As for a mothers helper, WDW has an on-site childcare provider that could probably help you. Maybe they even have some sitters that have annual passes who won't need you to pay extra for them? No matter what, it would be $$$ ... add it all up first because it might be cheaper to invite someone you know from home and pay their way.

Good luck with your trip

I'm confused, I thought "Magical Beginnings" was the early morning in the parks (Aug-Oct). Wait did you mean "Magical Express" the bus service from the airport? Or am I totally off?

There is a service at Disney where you can pay someone to take your children to the parks. I think it is Kids Nite Out. They will come to your room and watch your children or for an extra fee they will take the children to the parks. There are also Kids Clubs at a few of the resorts. I don't know that eiether of these services are what you are looking for. I do know you can do a VIP tour and have a guide with you in the parks. (For an extra set of hands) I have seen the guide pushing the stroller and holding the childrens hands.

 

[tjmw2727]

I have done the parks with my two dd's as the solo adult since they were 2 and 4 and IMHO its a peice of cake. Most of us handle our kids alone on a day to day basis and sometimes don't realize how much we already do. If you can do the mall, zoo, theater, supermarket and park without a helper you won't need one in Disney either.

IMHO a mothers helper would be more work, instead of just doing things and enjoying my kids I would also be instructing someone on what to do when and why. To me it seems like more work not less - just me maybe.

The only possible hitch would be if one child is tall enough to ride something the other isn't - in our case nobody rode. There was so much we could do together the 1 or 2 things we skipped didn't matter and I am not sure they even really noticed.

Remember that you are not doing the cooking, cleaning and such so you can focus 1-1 on the kids, at home we do all that and more

TJ

 

[LuvOrlando]

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[MiniGirl]

Has anyone done or considered hiring a mother's helper to help out in the parks? I'm taking my two toddlers to MK and MGM by myself and was just thinking this might be an option.

Maybe even hire a Passporter so they get paid, but you wouldn't have to buy them park tix?

Thoughts??
~ shari
(who thanks to this board has now gained the courage to make this trip happen - yeah!)

I started taking my girls when they were 3 and 5, and I never had any trouble. We are within driving distance, so the hardest part for us was getting the luggage to the room. I would rent a double stroller because I thought that was easier than hauling my stroller up and down on the bus along with bags and trying to hold my kids hands at the same time. ACK. If I were to do it again, I'd stay at a monorail resort or at WL so the stroller on the bus wouldn't even be an issue. I also brought lots of healthy snacks and we just kind of snacked all day. I found CS intimidating at the parks. Too small to bring strollers and too hard to carry everything and hold the kiddos hand. I should add that I have a wanderer. She's a good girl, but has never been good about staying close by. She's 5 now, and is finally starting to stick close to me.

Anyway, you can do it. No problem -- either with or without a mother's helper.

BTW, welcome to the DIS.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

If you truly feel you need the help...I'd take a friend from home... Less stress than dealing with a stranger around your kids ..and CHEAPER!
But....honestly...you're a single mom like alot of us.. You can totally handle it
It's awesome to be the only one sharing those times with your kiddos

 

[CastleCreations]

I started taking my girls when they were 3 and 5, and I never had any trouble. We are within driving distance, so the hardest part for us was getting the luggage to the room. I would rent a double stroller because I thought that was easier than hauling my stroller up and down on the bus along with bags and trying to hold my kids hands at the same time. ACK. If I were to do it again, I'd stay at a monorail resort or at WL so the stroller on the bus wouldn't even be an issue. I also brought lots of healthy snacks and we just kind of snacked all day. I found CS intimidating at the parks. Too small to bring strollers and too hard to carry everything and hold the kiddos hand. I should add that I have a wanderer. She's a good girl, but has never been good about staying close by. She's 5 now, and is finally starting to stick close to me.

Anyway, you can do it. No problem -- either with or without a mother's helper.

BTW, welcome to the DIS.

I've learned to deal with the luggage issue. I drop it off at the curb, and ask the luggage guys to bring it to the room. Never again will I drag all of those bags, plus two little girls to the room.

 

[pyrxtc]

How about bringing a niece or a freinds teen daughter from home. Maybe a babysitter that you use? I know you could do it alone in the parks but an extra hand is always nice. Someone to sit with the other child on some of the rides that only hold two people, someone to watch one while the other needs to get changed or use the bathroom. Help with the food and keeping track of them. There area lot of little things that would be nice to have the help for. I have no doubts you could do it but an extra set of hands is always nice. Someone who can stay with the kids at the table while you go get more napkins for the spilt juice or whatever. the extra cost will help you enjoy the parks that much more. My first visit, I took my babysitter along with 10 of us and it was nice to have her there to hang with the kids.

 

[2dogmom]

I have taken my girls the last 2 years alone and we have done great. This year I am bringing a niece with, but she needs a vacation more than anything else, not that I am not looking forward to using a restroom stall by myself. If you are used to dealing with your kids normally, then the only difference is you will be at WDW.

 

[famprovost]

I would go with the family or friend... would be easier for the kiddies.. but on your own is totally faisable...

I'm going for a week next march (4th time in 4 years) and this time I'm going alone with my 4 boys (10, 8 and 3 y.o. Twins) and planning to have the best trip ever with my guys ... Dad is mickeyed-out... but we're not so he's staying home to work...

Martine

 

[snow88]

Has anyone done or considered hiring a mother's helper to help out in the parks? I'm taking my two toddlers to MK and MGM by myself and was just thinking this might be an option.

Maybe even hire a Passporter so they get paid, but you wouldn't have to buy them park tix?

Thoughts??
~ shari
(who thanks to this board has now gained the courage to make this trip happen - yeah!)

I hired someone from Kids Nite Out for one night. She was great. It was just so the older kids and I could have some time to ourselves and the baby could get some sleep. I could have used a mother's helper in the park for sure as my older kids had to help me a lot especially with the stroller. If you have a sitter at home, take her/him along. My friend always takes her mother and her older DD is more helpful with her younger DD than my older DS's are with my ds.