I have such a wonderful problem!(long)

[i12go2wdw]

I have 4 children, no that is not the problem. We are going on the westbound relocation cruise in May, it is 2 weeks long. My kids will be DS12, DD9, DS7, DD2 when we travel. My oldest is in highschool, grade 8, and has clearance to go on the trip from the school, they even arranged his semesters so the academics were all in the first. He does not want to miss more than the two weeks and loves the cruise so much he doesn't mind missing the parks. My problem is that I can not go to Orlando and not go to DW. My husband was told after our last 3 week holiday never again, too long to go without him, made him feel good then but now... Anyway, to the point, I want to take the 9 and 7 year olds to DW for a week on my own before the cruise. My problem is should I also take the 2 year old? I change my mind every half hour, I will miss her, she will tie us down, she would have fun, we couldn't child swap, she will hold it over me when she is older(hee hee), if she naps the other two will be stuck in the room for 2 hours a day etc. etc.
What would you do, or what have you done in this situatuion?
BTW husband is fine with whatever I decide, my Mum will gladly help out.
TIA Christine

 

[Gillian]

I have no idea what will work for you, but I wanted to tell you about my experience this Spring. Our family took a 3 week trip to Florida. We drove down, spent a week in orlando, a week at the beach, and then drove home through Atlanta to visit friends. Both weeks were in home-like places with kitchens and separate bedrooms. We had a decent mix of fun and downtime.

Our 3 year old had a great time, but after 1 1/2 weeks he got homesick. He said pathetic things like, "are we ever going back to the house with 3 floors?" and "I miss my friends." It was very sad for us, because we planned the trip with him in mind. Most of the time he was fine, but he missed his routine.

Anyway, my point is that a shorter vacation might be more fun than a longer one!

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

I would have no problem leaving the little one home. Sure, I would feel a little guilty and miss her BUT it's nice to spend quality time with the older kids too. If you're going to do it, now is the best time. She's still young and doesn't fully realize what she's missing! Plus, I agree with the OP. Little ones like their normal routines.

We took DS on a special trip for his birthday and left his little sister with her grandparents. She had a great time getting all the one on one attention and DS enjoy his special time too.

 

[Suzanne74]

I agree with the above poster. I too would miss her but yes in all honesty she would tie you down some. If you have a chance to take two kids very close in age, I think all 3 of you would have a blast with similar interests. Yes, you will feel a little guilty, we all do, but I think you would feel more guilty and drained trying to appease both the older kids and then also trying to accomadate a 2 yr old while at Disney.

Just an opinion

 

[laceemouse]

I have never had a vaction longer than 10 days or so, I would never take my kids out of school for more than a day or two for a trip, and I have never been away from any of my kids at all, not even for a couples only trip, so I would have no idea what to tell you. Who will take care of the little one when you are gone? Doesn't your DH go to work? This is all so foreign to me I could not begin to respond! Plus, I would never want to vacation without my DH, just call me strange! I can't imagine kids missing 2 or 3 weeks of school and being able to make it up afterwards, but we have VERY tough schools here. I guess do what ever feels right to you, have fun!

 

[i12go2wdw]

Thank you for your replies, I am leaning towards leaving the 2 year old at home as I just returned from the mall with her and UGH!!! Won't sit in the stroller or hold my hand, that along with most of your replies is helping make the decision a lot easier.

Laceemouse, I too have never left my 2 youngest children, not even to go to work, I have had a family daycare in my home since I had my 12 yearold. My husband and I did go away for 5 days when the first two were 5 and 2. It was good for us and they survived just fine, but i did miss them when I wasn't too busy having fun. Actually, my husband does not "go" to work as he works for a company in Denver and has his office at home (our kids never get a break from either one of us) but my mother would come and stay at our house for the week to watch dd2 and cook.
This will be the 3rd time we have taken the kids out of school for 3 weeks, their principal encourages family vacations as long as the work gets done (we do ours before we go and the kids have been ahead when they return). The principal is the father of 4 and grandfather of 13 so he knows how important family time is and we love him for it.
I would not be vacationing without my husband as he dd2 and ds12 would meet us to all go on the cruise together, I would just get a head start.
Christine

 

[DisneyDW]

I think this could be a special time for you and DD9 and DS7! They would be on more of the same routine with the ability to do more things. I think it would be very tough to add a 2 yr old w/out having another adult. If they were older teens and could go off on their own a bit, it would be a different story. Just a thought - perhaps you could go down for a few days before instead of a week to ease the impact on the little one.

 

[MissingMickey]

If your mom can come over for a week, is it possible she could join you and the kids at Disney for a week? I think taking the 2 year old might be difficult for all the reasons the other posters have stated, but if you had another adult - you could split up and still have time together. You are right - it is a wonderful problem! Enjoy!

 

[laceemouse]

Christine, you are very lucky! My DH is never home, and our schools frown on the kids missing for vacation. They do so much in class, like group projects and experiments, that just can not be made up or done at home. We try to go only when school is out, but my kids will miss one day for our October trip. Also, we do not live near our families at all, never have, so there is no one to help with our four. They are growing up fast though, we will just have to look forward to our empty nest. You are just really more lucky than most people on many counts!

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

I could never leave my youngest one out --- BUT that is because my three are very close in age (2 1/2, 4 and 5). Sounds like you could do some really fun things with the 7 and 9 year old boys. It could be a very special time for the three of you. I would take just the boys -(if and only if) I could also plan a special trip with your DD alone, anytime between now and when she is 10 or 12. Maybe when the older ones can't miss as much school, you could take just your youngest and have a girls trip!

I didn't read all the posts, so I don't know if someboyd already suggested this, but that is what I would do. Good luck to you!

 

[lovelykccat]

I would leave her home with Mom and hubbie, and have a great time with the other two.

Have a great trip!

 

[3MouseMom]

I am big on spending quality time with the older kids, too. The time you spend with them, just the 3 of you, will be priceless. Before you know it, they'll be teens and mom migt not seem so cool!

I'd also hate to leave the baby, but maybe just a bit early, and take advantage of Grandma spending time with her.That will be good for them as well. Another special memory, well, at least for you mom a this point.

And like someone else said, a girls only trip when she is older wil be a blast. I am taking my mom and 2dds in October for a girls' trip. It's not that I don't want to vacation with DH and DS, it's just that we have a princess agenda planned and they don't appreciate it. We girls are very close and this will be special for us all.

GL!

 

[i12go2wdw]

Thank you all so much for your input, I really thought I would get a lot of people saying "How could you think of dong such a thing". I have made up my mind that I will go and have a ball with the 7 and 9 year olds. We are making our reservations at POFQ tomorrow and now the fun begins, the planning. Thank you again for your input,

Christine

 

[kerry34]

I was in the same situation last year, last minute i was offered the chance to go with my mom, but there was only enough room for three of us to go, I was going to pass it up, but my husband wouldnt hear of it. He took the week off from work and stayed with my 3 yr olds, my step son was getting ready to take a trip with his grandparents so he stayed with DH. My oldest daughters and I went. I changed my mind a hundred times in a month, but everyone kept telling me to go. It was the best thing I could have done. We had a great time. That was probably one of the last times that I had to really get that special time with my older girls (11 & 9). My twins had a wonderful week with their dad and my step son was thrilled because he had his father all to himself after the little ones went to bed and my girls and I made some wonderful memories. Do yourself a favor and go, and enjoy those kids. You will have time later on to do the very same thing with your two year old, because your other kids will be older. You wont regret it. My twins are four now and have no memory of my absence for a week. Oh yeah and the other bonus to this trip was, when I got home my husband had a whole new appreciation for me after walking in my shoes for a week.