How do you tell the kids your going without them? Need suggestions!!

[CampbellScot]

DH and I are going to WDW Oct 3-7 for our 15th Ann. without the kids. We were suppose to go for our 10th, had it booked and everything, then he got layed off. We had to cancel. We are going to try again. We leave in 60 days but have not told the kids(10 & 13). They love Disney and we have taken them many times. I would like some suggestions on how to tell them. How did you tell your kids when you went alone?

Thanks for any help. We can not wait. We have never been in the fall we always go in the summer.

It's so good to know that other couples go to Disney without their kids. There is nothing wrong with taking a trip on your own. All the people who use the shocked or saddened smilies in response to anyone going to Disney without kids are most likely people who give their kids the impression that the whole world revolves around them and no one should enjoy something if they can't enjoy it too. THAT is not real life. Don't get me wrong, I love taking the kids to Disney! When we go with them, the trip is planned around them and for them. We have a great time.

BUT...

I happen to enjoy going to Disney with my husband sans kids. We don't have to plan the whole day around tired legs and inordinate fears of this or that. We can sleep in if we want to, we can stay out as late as we want, we can eat at "grown up" places. We don't have to get up and go to the bathroom 2-3 times every meal or remind anyone to sit up or stop kicking their sister under the table...it's FANTASTIC. My husband and I can actually talk to one another, enjoy each other's company. Which is good for our marriage and ultimately good for the kids. Just b/c people want to have couple time at a place kids enjoy too, does not mean they are doing anything wrong or worthy of a or worse...the JUDGMENTAL !

There is a whole thread dedicated to adult and solo travelers for goodness sake! A dear friend is at Disney this very moment enjoying every second of it while her kids are at home doing other things. She even got tickets for the Pirate and Princess Party!!! Somebody better call Child protective services!!!!

To the OP's...have a GRAND time!! Your kids will be fine. You are teaching them that mom and dad are people too and deserve some time to be together. That is a lesson that will take them a long way in life. Good for you!!! Have a blast!!!

 

[JPN4265]

DH and I are going to WDW Oct 3-7 for our 15th Ann. without the kids. We were suppose to go for our 10th, had it booked and everything, then he got layed off. We had to cancel. We are going to try again. We leave in 60 days but have not told the kids(10 & 13). They love Disney and we have taken them many times. I would like some suggestions on how to tell them. How did you tell your kids when you went alone?

Thanks for any help. We can not wait. We have never been in the fall we always go in the summer.

Kids, Dad and I are going to WDW, and your not. Live with it.

 

[WildGrits]

How do you tell the kids your going without them? Need suggestions.

Either from a long distance or thru a locked door. I would be afraid to sleep at night after giving mine this news.

 

[gottaluvpooh]

I have to say that I am glad that people posted that you weren't asking permission. You don't need anyones permission. Do what feels right to you.
Everyone is different. I know for me my children are everything to me. I love being with them everyday and all day. But our marriage is very important to me aswell. It is a good thing for the whole family if the mom and dad have along time.

My husband and I went on a Disney vacation (4 days in the park, 3 days on the Disney Cruise) for our anniversary a few years ago. It was the hardest thing and the best thing I ever did. My youngest was 10 at the time. It was HER idea. When we were throwing ideas around as to what to do for our anniversary, she suggest we go to this vacation. I told her how I would never go to Disney without them and she told me I was crazy. After much discussion and days of fighting it out in my own mind, I booked the trip. We had a blast. I missed my kids every moment and called often. (ok VERY often) But we had a great time and that is one anniversary I will never forget. Plus now I am addicted to cruising. I have taken then on two Disney cruises since then.

Ok for to answer your question - your kids are 10 and 13? They are certainly old enough to understand and probably even support what you are doing. Be honest with them. Then do things when you are there that is hard or impossible with kids. Have a great time. When you get back you can start planning with them the next trip that they will be on and maybe they can even have part in the planning.

 

[CampbellScot]

Kids, Dad and I are going to WDW, and your not. Live with it.

 

[beattyfamily]

the OP didn't ask if she SHOULD go without the kids... that was already decided. she asked ... "how to tell them". no need to pile on the guilt.

You (in general) cannot control what responses will be on any given subject. That's just how it is. Posters should realize that before posting. Threads will take on a life of their own and as long as no one is being rude, sarcastic, insulting, or breaking any other DIS rules then it's all good.

All the people who use the shocked or saddened smilies in response to anyone going to Disney without kids are most likely people who give their kids the impression that the whole world revolves around them and no one should enjoy something if they can't enjoy it too. THAT is not real life.

edited so I don't get 'points'... Folks have said that parents deserve and should take time to themselves (a beach, an island, or Europe for examples) but some have said they just can't do Disney without their kids. They weren't rude about it. They just gave a differing opinion.

 

[CampbellScot]

You (in general) cannot control what responses will be on any given subject. That's just how it is. Posters should realize that before posting. Threads will take on a life of their own and as long as no one is being rude, sarcastic, insulting, or breaking any other DIS rules then it's all good.



edited so I don't get 'points'... Folks have said that parents deserve and should take time to themselves (a beach, an island, or Europe for examples) but some have said they just can't do Disney without their kids. They weren't rude about it. They just gave a differing opinion.

Well no...perhaps they weren't rude in typed format, but the implied judgment comes across loud and clear. MY opinion is that Disney is NOT just for kids and I don't think it's up to anyone to pass judgment on those who go without their kids. Someone asks for suggestions on how to tell their kids they are going to Disney without them and suddenly and are showing up.

 

[EpcotLove]

Well no...perhaps they weren't rude in typed format, but the implied judgment comes across loud and clear. MY opinion is that Disney is NOT just for kids and I don't think it's up to anyone to pass judgment on those who go without their kids. Someone asks for suggestions on how to tell their kids they are going to Disney without them and suddenly and are showing up.

my thoughts exactly...


Anyway, to the original poster , I remember when I was in high school- and my entire family left me to go to Disney World (I was the only child not homeschooled), I wasn't too upset, and I am obsessed with Disney World. It's kinda funny because now as an adult I would be a lot more upset. It may take a day for them to get over it- but they will! Just bring them back something nice, like a stuff animal mickey, that will do the trick!

 

[beattyfamily]

Well no...perhaps they weren't rude in typed format, but the implied judgment comes across loud and clear. MY opinion is that Disney is NOT just for kids and I don't think it's up to anyone to pass judgment on those who go without their kids. Someone asks for suggestions on how to tell their kids they are going to Disney without them and suddenly and are showing up.

We do agree on ONE thing; Disney is NOT just for kids!

I don't see anyone passing judgements, just opinions.

Carry on!

 

[MagikMom]

My husband and I went by ourselves in Oct of 06 for my 40th Birthday. We went during Columbus day weekend. My kids were fine with it. They are 11 & 14. My 11 year old son told my husband "Dad, make sure Mom has a really good time for her birthday." They are great kids. We go to Disney all the time and they realize that many kids never get to go so I think they appreciate it. They know how much my husband and I LOVE to go so they were happy for us to go!

 

[bcinohio]

Well, we told the kids yesterday that we were going to WDW without them in Oct. I was shocked that they didn't get upset and mad because they weren't going. It was really easy. I should have told them 6 months ago. We just said it is a special time for us being our 15th ann. and we wanted to go somewhere just the two of us. They said ok and started making their list of things they wanted us to bring them.

Thanks for all the ideas on how to tell them.

 

[MagikMom]

See..... you raised great, caring, non selfish/non spoiled children. Great job!

 

[scrapquitler]

I'd just tell them "On September 15, Dad and I are going on a trip to WDW for our anniversary. We'll be back on the 20th and while we are gone, Aunt Susan will be staying here with you. What kind of souveniers do you want us to brin you?" To softn the blow, maybe I'd mention, "We'll all go again the next time in January 09".

In fact we have done this. We have ALREADY told our kids that we are going in 2010 for a week without them for our 20th anniversary.