IL's want to take the kids to WDW

[Chrissie-riel]

OK - I have to vent a little and ask your advice here on the DIS. I am total Disney freak and have raised my two little ones to follow in my footsteps; DH is OK with Disney and supports my "habit".

My MIL doesn't understand me or my obsession apparently; she has been to DL once 20 yrs ago and MK once (when there was ONLY a MK in WDW). Our first trip w/the kids was with my parents and sister. Second trip was a few days at the parks before going on the Disney Cruise with MIL, FIL and 30 of their family and employees. We invited them to come to the parks with us but they wouldn't leave their restaurant on the weekend. Third trip was a short weekend over Mother's Day; we invited MIL and FIL but again it was a weekend and they wouldn't leave their restaurant.

So, now DH has earned a trip for he and I (and the rest of the office and clients) to Cabo San Lucas in January for 6 days. We would never plan a trip away from the kids this long ourselves, but you gotta go when the boss says. Plan was to have the IL's watch the kids for three days during the week while kids have to be in school, and my parents watch the kids over the weekend because of the restaurant thing with the IL's. So out of the blue my DH tells me that his parents want to take the kids to WDW while we are in Cabo. Huh????

First of all, the kids do have school!! Second, they wouldn't go with us before because of the weekend/restaurant issue, but now it is OK? Third, they have NEVER been to Disney and while I have tried to explain the logistics w/the size of WDW now, they seem to ignore what I tell them. (What do I know?) Finally, my FIL has rhumatoid arthritis and has issues with walking; I just can't see him lasting or enjoying chasing a 6 and 7 yr old through the parks. If they had gone with us, we could split up the day and allow him times for rest, etc. The few times MIL has asked me about it, she seems to look forward to exploring EPCOT as a museum, which is fine by themselves, but not with my active kids.

I am also not comfortable about my kids flying to one side of the country while I fly to the other side (and out of) the country. Maybe I am just jealous and petty - but I am also bummed because we had a 10th anniversary trip planned for Disney in early February that we had to cancel because logistically we couldn't be going to Cabo and turning around to go to Orlando. And no - the kids didn't know about the anniversary trip so they IL's didn't come up with their grand ideas because of that.

Thanks for letting me vent!!

 

[MELSMICE]

With all that you mentioned, IL's having a restaurant, FIL's arthritis & school for the kids, I'd probably say no also.

 

[Vickie46]

I would say no.. but again.. I might be jealous wanting to go with the kids to Disney.. I just can't let my little one.. go with out me.. I love seeing her in the Disney Magic.. plus I don't think my MIL can keep up with her.. she is not use to it... its been a long time since she raised kids and disney is huge.

 

[noodleknitter]

I think that any time with grandparents is a huge blessing for kids, and time at Disney double so. We only have that generation active and healthy for so long, and we try to take total advantage of it!

Of course, this is merely a stranger's opinon!

 

[4theloveofdisney]

I would have to say no as well. I can't imagine that your IL's would even be able to handle Disney without the kids let alone with. I would also be nervous about being so far away while they are traveling as well. I would just tell them that while you appreciate the offer, it makes you nervous to be so far away, you don't want them to miss school, and you don't want to miss out spending time with them at your favorite place!

 

[Twingle]

I would have to say no as well. I can't imagine that your IL's would even be able to handle Disney without the kids let alone with. I would also be nervous about being so far away while they are traveling as well. I would just tell them that while you appreciate the offer, it makes you nervous to be so far away, you don't want them to miss school, and you don't want to miss out spending time with them at your favorite place!

I totally agree with this post, and second it whole heartedly.

Good luck!

 

[Hannathy]

I say let them go. Kids need to learn to adapt and tolerate other generations and other peoples way of doing things. So what if they go and only spend a bit of time in the parks and more at the pool where kids can play and grandma can watch the kids while sitting. So what if they see Epcot from a different perspective, THey have been with you and will go again, why deny them if you aren't jealous. I say if they are nice enough to watch your kids (which many people don't have the luxury of) let them do it how they want. And why the big deal if they are away and you are to. Once you are more than a few hrs away what difference does it make, you would have to fly home so this way you would have to fly to Fl. doubtful anyway.to say you don't want them there without you sounds IMO as jealous and juvenile. Kids generaly adapt to who they are with and act much different than with Mom. Let them go .

PS what does your DH think it is his decision to.

 

[noodleknitter]

Hannathy, awesome post!

A sense of adventure is good for kids. As is independence. It is great to see the world thru the eyes of others. It would be a time treasured for life by each.

 

[wendylk]

I would never let my in-laws travel with my son without me. I would be nervous enough just leaving him at his grandparents house for a few days, none-the-less traveling through busy airports and a crowded theme park and staying at an unfamiliar hotel. That sounds like a recipe for disaster to me. I know they raised my husband just fine, but a lot of years have passed since then and it is hard enough for them to watch a child full time when they aren't used to doing it on a regular basis, I couldn't even imagine how they would negotiate an unfamiliar surrounding while watching a child full time as well.

 

[pantherlj]

I would say let them go. Sure they won't be able to "do Disney" they way I read about on the boards but they will be able to do Disney with their grandparents - how awesome! My mom is very ill and my kids will never have an experience like that with her. I have found memeories of going to my grandmother's by myself when I was younger.

BTW, DH and I went to Cabo without kids when my kids were 2 and 5. I cried the first day and then had a BLAST! We were gone for 5 days. Have a great time - try to take the ATV tour on the beach. A sunset cruise is fun too. We saw lots of whales on the sunset cruise - the people that went on the whale watch cruise never saw one!

Of course, I also think it would be really hard for my kids to experience Disney without me! It would be great for them though

 

[pyrxtc]

As long as the kids weren't in danger while wiht your IL's thne I see no reason why they shouldn't be allowed to go. I mean, my MIL cannot even be trusted to watch the kids at my or her house, nevermind at WDW! She couldn't even keep track of my youngest som getting ina car when we had two cars and had to split up fo a drive. She started freaking cuz she thought she fogot my DS at the house alone. One time we left him at her house cuz we had a funeral and she lost him, he was taking off down the street after some birds. tahnk goodness it was ina cul-de-sac and he went toward the end rather than towards the very busy street it comes off of. We are trying to go to FT lauderdale in november, well I want to go with DH for a business trip for him and she even said that she would be no good watching the kids. All I asked is that she stay at my house, no driving, no going anywhere. But she goes the wrong way down streets and has backed up off ramps and can't drive if it's dark out. Even my DH said we are not leaving my kids with her.

Alright, back on topic. If your IL's are not gonna let the kids kill themselves, then let them take them. my DD is going with my exes mother in February and I say have fun. Even my mother takes my DD to Arizona every now and then. They have a blast.

 

[pezpam]

1st consideration - Are the inlaws actually dangerous to the kids? Not 'can they do WDW like we would' but actually dangerous? I'd let my parents take DD to WDW even if their stamina/speed/etc was diminished because DD would have some serious quality Nana and Pop time and they're as responsible as it gets. On the other hand, my ex-FIL is ill and my ex-MIL has proven herself dangerously unaware and isn't going to watch DD alone for an hour, much less a few days..... If she was more trustable, I'd take a deep breath and let DD have some Gramma time even though we don't get along.

2nd consideration - Would your kids really run away? At 6 and 7, most kids should be able to stay with whatever adult they're with, even if it takes some hand holding and verbal reminding. However, if there's a real possibiilty that they won't, that's a whole 'nother issue. Some kids will just take off and I wouldn't be comfortable if I knew DD would do that. Disney security may be great, but heading to the Lost Parents area will get old if it keeps happening, not to mention the stress...... Extra energy can be worked off at the pool or AKs Boneyard or some such, but actual running away is different.

Best thing may be to sit down with yourself alone and think honestly about what thoughts are jealousy and pettiness and what thoughts are valid concern. Hopefully that will give you your answer. Good luck either way!

 

[Chrissie-riel]

I think that any time with grandparents is a huge blessing for kids, and time at Disney double so. We only have that generation active and healthy for so long, and we try to take total advantage of it!

Of course, this is merely a stranger's opinon!

I totally agree with this!!! That is why we asked them to come along to the parks with us TWICE and they declined with the restaurant excuse - which apparently doesn't apply anymore. We did all go on the Disney Cruise together (a Sunday-Thursday trip) which was amazing - they had special time with lots of cousins, their Gma and Gpa and even the Great Gma and Great Gpa!! Probably one of our best memories from that trip was my DD who was 5 at the time playing bingo with her great Nanie Rose for hours. "Shake 'em up Sugar" was repeated over and over at our house.

 

[Wigit12]

I would never keep my kids from a Disney vacation if I didn't think they'd be in danger. Sorry.

They may experience an entirely different style of Disney vacation, but the memories will be just as wonderful. There's a lot of things that you may not take the time to stop and experience that grandparents will. Like a poster said, an extended stay at the Boneyard. We're always checking our watches at places like that. Always somewhere else to run.

My In-laws took older grandkids a lot (even at 6&7). Now my FIL is gone now and the younger grandkids won't get that experience. It's sad.

Imagine if they wanted to take the kids while you were home instead of on a great trip yourself!! Wouldn't that be harder!!

 

[MSSANDRA]

I would truly answer these questions to my self; Can their grandparents keep them safe and happy on the trip. Can they meet their needs as well at WDW as at home? Will the children be confortable in a strage place with them? If you can answer yes to these things, I would let them go. I would worry being out of the counrty with out my kids, but once you are that far away, I agree if you had to get to them you can fly to WDW just as well as home.

Good luck deciding.

 

[disneyohana]

I am a worry wart so I couldn't let my dd go w/her grandparents because of that. I think it depends on how much it will bother you before, during, & after. If you are going to worry, be jealous, and then be mad, then no one will be happy.

 

[pooh4evr]

My husbands family wants to do a big trip to WDW soon- would have gone for Christmas this year but... (check the sig) I would not feel right about the girls being there without us - we want to share in their magic too I guess that makes us selfish - but I understand where you are coming from maybe our IL are related (GO CARDS!!) They still talk about going next fall or so and MIL wants to just stay at the hotel with the baby DH and I couldn/t say NO fast enough- if we are going we are going as a family! They also don't understand why we have a problem with DDs missing school- that would be my excuse for your situation!

 

[tripplanner]

If the IL's are good people who you would trust with the care of your children, then I would say yes. I traveled from time to time with my grandparents when I was a kid. It was always a "different" kind of vacation than I had with my family. For me as a kid, it was actually a bit more laid back. We spent more time at the pool or in the room or on a bench watching a show than I would have spent on a family vacation. I got to really know my grandparents. When the adults are around the grandparents talk mainly to the adults. When it's just the kids and the grandparents, they communicate on a different level. I just can't say anything bad about the experience.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I would never let my in-laws travel with my son without me. I would be nervous enough just leaving him at his grandparents house for a few days, none-the-less traveling through busy airports and a crowded theme park and staying at an unfamiliar hotel. That sounds like a recipe for disaster to me. I know they raised my husband just fine, but a lot of years have passed since then and it is hard enough for them to watch a child full time when they aren't used to doing it on a regular basis, I couldn't even imagine how they would negotiate an unfamiliar surrounding while watching a child full time as well.

I totally agree. I love my in-laws and my parents as well (of course!) as do my children. There is no way they could handle watching them fro 6 days at WDW. They are exhausted after a much shorter time and they are in good health and young. I don't have a problem with my kids spending time with their grandparents, I just think the whole safety issue would make me say no instantly. With kids there really is no down time. JMHO.


Let me also add that I went to WDW with my grandparents when I was a kid. -BUT- my Mom's 2 sisters also went as well so there was no shortage of adults to supervise me at 4 years old.

 

[wendylk]

A also want to add that we just got back from a Disneyworld vacation with my parents and my son (just turned 3). It basically took all 4 adults just to keep track of him and he is a good kid! It was just me and my mother watching him play in the Toontown playground and we lost track of him a few times!