Inviting a kid

[twooley2]

I was sitting here planning our 3rd trip to Disney and was thinking each time we have taken an extended family member. This year I was thinking how fun it would be to take a friend of my two daughters with us, although I was wondering if the parents would be offended if we offered to take her with us on our family vacation. I know that they typically could not afford to take her and I would not want to offend anyone. She also has siblings but we would be offering to take just her. Any ideas or opinions

 

[blessedby3]

We have done this once (in 2005) and are doing it again this Jan. with the same child. The friend is 18 now, 16 when we first took her, and she has siblings too. I know the little brother is probably mad at her getting to go again. My DD's friend comes from a divorced home and her parents would never be able to take her and her siblings. The first time we paid for her plane ticket, room, and part of her food. This time she is on her own to pay for her stuff since we are staying longer (10 nights) and we have to have 2 rooms ourselves since our family is bigger and it will be a much more expensive trip all around. We discussed this up front and the parents are fine with it. I think they are thankful that their DD gets to do something they would not be able to do for her on their own. I did not get the impression that they were offended at all - I guess not since she is going with us again! I have found it to be a wonderful experience for our DD17, but I wouldnt take just anyone. It would have to be a very well behaved, polite and appreciative child for us to take them. Otherwise it could make for a miserable week (as has happened with other kids before on other trips).

 

[SplashMountainMama]

I brought the daughter of a friend along on our last trip. She is the youngest of 3 kids and had been to Disney once when she was 3 (her sisters were older and remember the trip) so she didn't remember it very well. After our 1st trip I could tell she really wanted to go back and since her family had no plans on ever going back I offered to bring her along. She was so appreciative and we had a great time. Her mom wasn't offended at all and was very grateful that her daughter got to experience WDW when she would remember it.

 

[Carpool Candy]

A few years ago, friends we knew started taking our kids on their vacations. We are NOT short on funds or anything- they just wanted their kids to have a playmate and we felt comfortable sending them along. The first time was just my daughter to the beach with one family, the second time was both my older kids with a different family and the third time was JUST my son with the 2nd family. My kids never felt that bad that they didn't get to go. As parents, we took the opportunity to do something special with the one at home. As a person taking the sibling, I would make sure to bring back a little something for those left behind!
As far as money goes, we sent spending cash for extra stuff but the hosts covered food and stuff but Disneyland is different. IF a parent offered to help pay, I'd take the money (if you don't use it, just give it back) but if they don't have the money and you do, what's one more kid??? I wouldn't mention anything about money that would imply they couldn't afford to take them but instead, make it seem like they would be doing YOU a favor by giving your child somebody to hang out with. I know that my daughter would have REALLY benefited from having a friend along- especially when we saw Miley Cyrus perform her Christmas special but I think my son would have maybe had little squabbles with anybody we brought- causing more stress. He's a sweetie but he needs his own space after awhile.