I have to cancel our Disney trip for next year

[Mama Steph]

I guess it can't really be considered cancelling it since I didn't book it but still I was hoping to go again in April. Dh and I have just decided to send our oldest to private school next year. I know that we will have to give up some of our extras but feel the decision is well worth it. This has been an unusually busy travel year for us. I went on a cruise with my sister, a few days at a waterpark resort, took my dd to CA for gymnastics nationals, spent a week in Destin, FL, a week in VA for track nationals, and will be staying in a 2br villa at Dis next week. We did not have to foot the whole bill for all of these trips but it has been an expensive year nonetheless. Cutting out the bigger trips shold make the school bill very manageable. I am also thankful that they have a payment plan for the second half of tuition so I can have it taken out of my account on payday each month.

I am thrilled with our decision but a bit nervous about the change. I have faith that we are making the right decision for him it is still hard though!

 

[SunnieRN]

(((Hugs)))), Disney will always be there!! Your childs education is a good priority to have!! Enjoy your trips and just think, the next time you get to Disney will be even more special!!

 

[hinodis]

I had two boys graduate from a private boys prep school and I currently have a DD in 8th grade in a private school. All 3 kids also went to a public school so I know first hand the differnces. I can say that the $60,000 I have spent over the years was worth every single penny!! You have made a great decision that will change the course of your child's life! Good for you

 

[Disneybuckeye]

I sent all three of my children to private school for K-12. It was worth every penny and high school was such a pleasant experience (same sex schools though) that I would have happily paid double. Disney will still be there when you can afford to go later on down the road.

 

[cdrn1]

I talked my DD out of sending my DGD to a private kindergarten last year. She is a middle income stay-at-home-mom. She and her husband had come to terms with the sacrifices that private school would entail. But I meddled.
DGD went to public kindergarten for two weeks. It was such a bad fit. DGD came home and cried every single night. She hated it. On Friday she cried because the weekend was too short and she would have to go to school on Monday. It was awful. Our happy-go-lucky little girl was miserable and truly depressed. (DD and I are both nurses and know depression when we see it.)
After two weeks DD said, "This is ridiculous" and marched to the private school and enrolled her daughter. By the end of the week she was thriving. It was a perfect fit. She is so excited to start first grade tomorrow.
DD is giving up so much more than a vacation to send the kids to private school. But clearly worth it for us. So don't feel bad. Disney World isn't going anywhere. You made a great choice.

 

[Mama Steph]

Thanks everyone. Ds has struggled academically the past couple of years. He has never been a kid that will allow us to help but doesn't do things on his own either. We have tried so many different things to help and he pushes us away. Our school district is absolutely huge (3 high schools on 1 campus) and he has figured out that if he wants to get lost, he can.
He is a serious runner and has run nationally for the last 3 years. This last year (his freshman year) he and his track coach really butted heads and he had a horrible season. The track coach at the private school has been recruiting him for 3 years and is ultimately what has gotten us to make the move. I wouldn't have made the move for a sport but thankfully, this was the catalyst.
He says he is fine with either school which I take to mean he wants to attend the private school since he would definately make his feelings known if he didn't!
We will be going to register him in the morning and take care of all the little things. I am a bit upset that he will be missing new student orientation and the first 2 days of school because of our trip though. I have tried to come up with a way to make it work but logistically, it's not.
I am happy with our decision. I am a product of catholic school and a firm believer in them. I can't say how many of our kids will attend public or private so I am taking it one kid at a time and trying to look at each of their individual needs.
I will be missing Disney so this trip will probably be even more special than I intended.

 

[karen l]

My three all started out in public & then I switched the first two to a private high school & the youngest switched to private in sixth grade. Best decision I ever made. All three thrived in private school. Smaller classes & hands on teachers have really made a difference. I'm a widow so the cost was an intimidating factor but I'm glad I chose to move them. We also have to skip our April 2011 trip but I'm planning for 2012. As cdrn1 stated, WDW will be there when we're able to go.