Just taking one child?

[golf]

My parents took me and my siblings to Disney every January since before I can remember and now DH and I take our kids to Disney every January to continue the tradition. However, I just had our third child 8 weeks ago and we had to cancel our trip due to some lingering issues with my c-section recovery (so sad-- we would have left for our trip today!) We really would like to reschedule the trip, but my husband starts a new job in 2 weeks and cannot take any time off, so he would be unable to join us. I would love to take the kids by myself, but I just don't think I can handle our 5 year old daughter, our very rambunctious 3 year old son and the new baby alone. My husband suggested I just take our daughter by herself and spend some mom and daughter time with her and leave her brothers with my parents (and my husband when he gets home from work). I would love to do this with her before she outgrows her love of princesses and I really don't know when else I would ever get the chance to do this. However, I feel really bad even thinking of leaving her 3 year old brother at home. He loves Disney and would have an amazing time, but he is such a handful right now that I am concerned that I would have a hard time keeping up with him (I still can't pick him up or run after him because of my c-section recovery issues). Has anyone else taken just one child around the same age? Would you go or just skip this year's trip? (We may also have to skip next year's trip, though because we are moving to a new area of town in December, so DD will be starting a new kindergarten in January and I don't think we will be able to pull her out of school two weeks after she starts and January is usually the only month I am able to travel due to work, so we couldn't go any other time during the year next year). Sorry this is so long-- I'm really having a hard time with this! Thanks for your advice!

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Wow, that would be hard. I think that I would either wait on the trip all together or take the two oldest children and leave the baby at home. Your little girl could walk & you could use the stroller with your son. I just don't think that I could leave my 3 year old at home knowing how much he loves Disney.

I hope that you are all better soon. I had 3 c-sections but I never had any trouble. I'm sure that is no fun.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Since you are not planning to take each child seprately then I would say no.

 

[JUJU814]

I think it sounds great. Dh and I were just talking about this ourselves last night. I want to take my little girl, age 6, just a mommy/daughter trip, while hubby stays home for the week and does daddy/son stuff with ds (they have a list of places they want to go)

They are not as into Disney as dd and I are.

There is nothing wrong at all with what you are proposing and you should not feel guilty, or let others make you feel guilty. It drives me crazy when people self righteously spout off "oh I could NEVER do that!"

Everyone has their own preferences.

I too want to take dd back for all the princess stuff before she outgrows that.

I don't think it matters a hoot if you have plans to take each child alone. They already get to go every year.

My philosophy is to teach the kids to be happy for each other..not to automatically think "well when do *I* get to do....such and such" Sometimes I do something special 1:1 with dd, others with the other dd and then others with just my ds. I love all the same and treat them all fairly.

I think it's awesome that you dh suggested you do this with dd. Given the chance..I say GO FOR IT!

 

[RubySlippers]

IMHO you would have a great time with just your daughter!! I have taken my son on many trips just him and I and it is always a great time!! You can always take your three year old on a trip when he gets older. I think it is VERY cool to be able to spend 1 on 1 time with each of the kiddos! Go and have fun!

Ruby

 

[nmmom95]

I would not take just your daughter, since you said your son loves Disney. The baby won't know the difference, and who doesn't love grandparent time? However, your son is old enough to know where you are and that you left him behind. I wouldn't do it, unless you plan on taking a similar trip with just him.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Only way I would take her would be if it could be an additional trip to the family trip and each child got a turn at a mommy and me trip as well. I am sure your DS has heard you talking about the planned trip and to then not get to go when his sister did would be heart breaking.I Could not leave a newborn at home either. Enjoy the new baby and know that next year the trip will be great for everyone!

 

[sweetpeakaris]

Only way I would take her would be if it could be an additional trip to the family trip and each child got a turn at a mommy and me trip as well. I am sure your DS has heard you talking about the planned trip and to then not get to go when his sister did would be heart breaking.I Could not leave a newborn at home either. Enjoy the new baby and know that next year the trip will be great for everyone!

I second this, You took the words out of my mouth!

 

[Wendy5055]

I would definately go! Your 3 year old would be just fine...he is 3. You would have some amazing mother/daughter time.

Honestly, my parents never subscribed to the "if everyone can't do it, nobody can" theory (neither do I)...it was a case by case basis for our family. My older brother went to Great Escape and my little brother and I stayed home...we were not emotionally injured by it either because it was just the way it was.

Go...relax...enjoy...bond.

 

[littlbugmom]

Why not pay for the grandparents to come with you?

 

[chrisw127]

Do it! One of my most memorable trips was with my then five-year old. I left his infant twin brother and sister at home with my husband and we took a long weekend and had the best time. My thinking was similar to yours: I wanted to take him while he was still really little and could enjoy certain things. The twins have since been several times and they're not even three, so I didn't feel bad in the least.

Who knows, you might do the same thing with the younger ones when they're older. Don't feel guilty and congrats on your new baby!

 

[mamaLori05]

My kids are similar ages. DD is 4, and DS is 2.5. I have to say I don't think I could take just one. As much fun as it would be to just take dd, I know my ds would be heartbroken! And yea, I know he is only 2.5, but trust me, they know more then you think! Plus when you get back, dd is going to be soo excited and want to tell everyone all about her trip, which again will only cause more heartache.
I don't know your family, but in our family going to Disney is a BIG deal. I don't think I could do something that big with just one, expecially knowing they both LOVE Disney. I guess if you do decide to go, be prepared for when your ds asks you why he can't go.

 

[Procrastinator]

How about taking her this year and then either you or your dh taking your ds next year? You mentioned that your issue with next year is taking your dd out of school. It may not sting quite so much for your ds if he knows he gets his *own* trip next year. My kids would love to go alone and not have to share time with their siblings.

 

[klacey1]

I say definitely go for it! Clearly, you have had a very, very rough time of it lately and you deserve to have a nice vacation with your daughter! You can encourage your DH to do some special things with your son while the two of you are gone. Go, have no regrets, and don't let anyone make you feel bad about it!

 

[sdrsdd]

I have 3 kiddos myself--- I say take your 5 year old and have a great time---your 3 year old won't remember...It's nice to have one on one time with your kids---don't feel guilty.

 

[livie1205]

I would definately go! Your 3 year old would be just fine...he is 3. You would have some amazing mother/daughter time.

Honestly, my parents never subscribed to the "if everyone can't do it, nobody can" theory (neither do I)...it was a case by case basis for our family. My older brother went to Great Escape and my little brother and I stayed home...we were not emotionally injured by it either because it was just the way it was.

Go...relax...enjoy...bond.

yeh that is crazy...If we did the whole "if one cant go then no one goes" things we would never go anywhere....we are a blended family with very complex schedules...