Kids with "attitude"

[LisaBi]

OK - This question is a little odd, but I know some of you can relate. DS is almost 13 and has Down Syndrome. It looks like I may be able to sneak in a short trip in April, that will just happen to be over his 13th birthday.

I'm debating on keeping it a secret and surprising him. He's been begging to go to WDW "tommorrow" at least once a week, so I don't think he'll have a problem with the surprise.

But I am afraid about the hotel. The last 2 trips we have stayed at ASMo. Last trip I tried to stay at CBR, but he insisted on "Buzz and Woody." Well, I can't get ressies at ASMo, so had to go with Pop. His logic can be hard to follow, and I can just see us getting down there, going to the hotel, and him insisting "that's it - I go home" because it's not Buzz and Woody. On the other hand, he could be so excited he doesn't notice. I think if I tell him ahead of time he'll say he doesn't want to go.

I know this sounds odd and un-important, but he can be very stubborn about things that don't make any sense at all! (Just like when we have return time for a ride he wants to go on NOW, or a have a wait at a restaurant. He'll sit outside the ride and pout, instead of listening to logic of "let's go ride X and then it will be our turn to ride Y.")

I'm also trying to think of ways to make the trip special since it's his b-day. I know about the birthday pin. I'm trying to figure out ways to set up some surprises for him.

Thanks,
LisaB

 

[Karalynn]

How about having some Buzz & Woody things waiting in the room for him when you get there? Maybe some big mylar balloons, or you could get some posters ahead of time and ask if they can hang them for you,(maybe on the outside of the door) and leave some new pjs on the bed? Then you could tell ds th at he has his very own Toy Story room!! Or that they left this for him, since he couldn't stay at 'their' hotel? Just some thoughts, I can definately relate, and if he is anything like my dd, it is a day to day thing if he'll buy into whatever you come up with! Lets make that minute to minute!!

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

Without telling him that you're going can you get him to look at pictures of the hotel and talk about "if we ever go again this is where we'll try to stay." I'm not sure if he'll understand that you're talking in "IF" and not "tomorrow" but if you think he won't get upset about not leaving "RIGHT NOW!!!!" then it might be a way to guage his reaction to the idea of a different hotel. I wish you luck, I have an inflexible son and it is not the easiest thing once he gets his mind on something. I just learned that surprises are torture for him so I have given up on my love of surprise.
Have a great trip, and Happy 13th to your son!

 

[mickeymom1]

oh lisa, i can totally relate . my ds with down syndrome just turned 6 and he is soooooo stubborn & unpredictable !!!! i love the ideas that karalynn suggested about the things in the room. maybe you could even give him an invitation or card as you are getting to the hotel(from buzz and woody) with pictures of pop and give some little explaination that his usual room is closed/unavailable/being fixed up (you fill in the blank with what you think he would buy! our favorite explaination sometimes is that things are "broken"). it could also say there is a special surprise/birthday present in the room, so maybe he would be excited to go to the room at that moment.

good luck and best wishes with your trip!

pam

 

[LisaBi]

I love everyone's ideas.

I did show him pics of POP, saying "if we get to go again, maybe next time....". He wasn't excited, but not real negative, so...

But here's the kicker - about 3 minutes later he says "Mon - how bout for my birthday you me go Disneyworld. No Daddy. No Ryan." Is the kid reading my mind now???

Lisa