Leaving kids in room question

[DisneyPhD]

LSUmom4kids, thanks so much for the info on the Dolphin kids club. I never knew that. (my youngest won't be 4 for 3 more years, but still good to know.)

Now with out judging I will let the OP know my experience on leaving kids in the resort room while we went out. It was at BCV in 2005. My then 13 year old niece was with us and it was rainy day. The kids were back in their room, the baby was sleeping and the then 3 year old was watching a video on T.V. We had food in the room for the kids, but DH and I were hungry. My Niece suggested we go out to eat, she would be happy to watch the kids in the room for a few hours. Now we let her watch the kids at home, it sounded like a good plan. We took my cell phone, and left them with DH's phone. We went to dinner at a restaurant in the resort (got in right away after talking with a kind CM at the concierge desk.) We had a nice dinner, felt comfortable the whole time, and stopped at Beaches and Cream for a Sundae to take back to the room for everyone to spilt. After we all went to Epcot to see the Fireworks. (We should of stayed home and played games because of the rain, but after the ice cream they needed to go out for a while. )

Anyway this worked well for us. But in all honestly as the OP mentioned everyone child is different. The cell phones, being still in the resort and the fact that I trusted my niece helped. Also it was rather early still, we were back in their room before 8:00 that night. I would have not trusted my Nephew with the kids, or alone for a short while. Every kid is different.

I know my DH says that when he and his older brother were at WDW as kids (or teens) they were so warn out one day their parents went to Ecpot and left them to sleep and watch T.V. in the trailer (at Fort Wilderness. I think they were around 11 and 13 years old. Of course this was also over 20 years ago. Maybe they were older, because Epcot was pretty new when I went and was 13 years old.

edited to add that I also felt more comfortable leaving my niece in a postion of responibilty then say by herself or with a friend (or good forbid her brothers! )
Anyway, no flames to the OP for asking a question. I hope she has a great trip.

 

[annie1995]

Why did you change your post so much from what your originally asked?

This isn't a lynch mob people. I am referring to all the bull the OP has had. I don't think it's any of our business at what age a person chooses to let their child stay alone at night, or why she changed her original post, but quite frankly I don't blame her. She asked a simple question, and wanted opinions of everyone here, not the criticism of why she did not reveal her childs age, etc.... She was curious, she never said she was going to, or did leave her child, so whats the deal??!!

 

[RDCAnthony]

I think the kids might be better off by themselves

 

[lookingforward]

Sorry, that is not true, not all states have numerical ages set for leaving a kid alone. many states do..like age 12, but not all states

If you find the law that states that all states have a specific age where kids can't be alone or can be..you let me know.(like a federal law)
I have lived in several states and can tell you the law varies.

there are a lot of 14 year olds that shouldn't be alone and a lot of 11 yr olds that can!!

I was babysitting other people's kids at age 12yrs old. Weren't other people here?

It does vary from state to state. Here in Florida if a child is left alone and DCF pays a visit they will look not only at the age of the child but the relative maturity, safety plan, etc. For instance, if the child is 9 and grandma lives next door and there are emergency numbers and safety plans in place then they might accept this (such as in the case of a latch key kid). In the military the age used to be a strict 12 years old when I was a social worker for them.

In defense of the OP, it seemed to me that she was asking what people thought in "general" about the subject, not what they thought of her particular family situation. At least that was my take. For me, it depends on the child and situation. My son was 13 and we left him in the room to go and grab a quick dinner. But the restuarant was in our hotel and we had cell phones. It simply must depend on the situation, child and particulars.

One thing I find interesting is on cruise ships. Parents who would normally be very careful throw caution to the wind. They let their 10 to 12 year olds sign themselves out of the kids club and roam the ship unattended. This makes me crazy because with over 2000 strangers on board, (no matter WHAT cruiseline) there are going to be criminals, pedophiles or trouble makers in every bunch. Simple facts. Can you tell I work for the police?

 

[Allison]

This isn't a lynch mob people. I am referring to all the bull the OP has had. I don't think it's any of our business at what age a person chooses to let their child stay alone at night, or why she changed her original post, but quite frankly I don't blame her. She asked a simple question, and wanted opinions of everyone here, not the criticism of why she did not reveal her childs age, etc.... She was curious, she never said she was going to, or did leave her child, so whats the deal??!!

Because it's wrong to change a post to make yourself sound better after you don't like the answers you get. In the ORIGINAL post she asked for input which is what she got. So, that's the DEAL.

 

[jcpuppy.com]

In defense of the OP, it seemed to me that she was asking what people thought in "general" about the subject, not what they thought of her particular family situation. At least that was my take. For me, it depends on the child and situation. My son was 13 and we left him in the room to go and grab a quick dinner. But the restuarant was in our hotel and we had cell phones. It simply must depend on the situation, child and particulars.

One thing I find interesting is on cruise ships. Parents who would normally be very careful throw caution to the wind. They let their 10 to 12 year olds sign themselves out of the kids club and roam the ship unattended. This makes me crazy because with over 2000 strangers on board, (no matter WHAT cruiseline) there are going to be criminals, pedophiles or trouble makers in every bunch. Simple facts. Can you tell I work for the police?

Thank you..you said it much better than I. i was just looking for a general view points, otherwise I would have posted my specifics.

You are also correct, I see parents do some things even at Disney(and other places) with their kids I wouldn't even dream of..like let them out of eyesight at a pool or even the bathrooms. To me those are like feeding grounds for sharks.
Sadly the world has become a very scary place

 

[annie1995]

Because it's wrong to change a post to make yourself sound better after you don't like the answers you get. In the ORIGINAL post she asked for input which is what she got. So, that's the DEAL.

She didn't recieve imput, she was totally flamed.

 

[disneymom3]

Well, I know I am getting old, LOL but, when I was growing up my parents left us alone regularly in hotel rooms. We went to Vegas a lot and there were generally four of us on the trip who stayed in the hotel room. Usually we stayed in the room, once in awhile we went to the pool. BUT I have to say my sister is 12 years older than I am so she was at least 16 and older when this happened and the next one down from her would have been 14 at the youngest. That always worked out fine and my sisters were very responsible and very used to babysitting us younger two.

One time however, as the much youngest child, I was on vacation alone with my parents and in Reno they left me alone for a couple of hours in the hotel room watching TV or whatever. While they were gone, the fire alarm went off and I did not know WHAT to do. Should I leave? But what if it was a false alarm? I don't remember if I had a key or not, but I am leaning toward not. I decided to wait a little while and see what happened. I felt the door and them opened it and looked out in the hallway. There was no one there, so I shut it and waited a little more. Very soon the alarm shut off and I stayed put. The really weird thing is I never told my parents that had happened and I don't know why. I was definitely scared.

Because of that situation, I would def be less willing to leave my kids alone in a hotel room than at home. My 9 almost 10 yo has stayed home with her brothers twice for less than half an hour and they were watching a show. Once, I had to get her brother medicine because he was sick and I just really didn't want to take him outside in the 20 degree weather when he felt so awful and another time when I had 20 min to get to the post office and it was pouring rain. But I would not feel comfortable leaving them in other circumstances.

As for sitting options at WDW, we have used Fairy Godmothers and it was about $12/hr for our three kids. I would feel a lot better using professional sitters who are screened and background checked than someone I met off the boards. Best of all I like the suggestion of the kids club at the Dolphin and never knew that before!! We will definitely be taking advantage of that!!

 

[Mom to Will and Finn]

..some kids must be really dumb, conniving or untrustworthy?

Woah. My soon to be 13 year old is none of those things and I wouldn't leave him alone. You'd better watch yourself before you offend a lot of people.

 

[HappyLawyer]

i'll leave my dtr alone when she is about 17

 

[Jesussavedme]

This is a sore subject with me.
My Ex Husband takes our 2 children with him occasionally during the summers to Disney. They are now 13 and 10. But he has been doing this for a few years.

He just HAS to jog every morning, so he leaves them sleeping at the hotel or to watch tv until he gets back, then he goes jogging.
I hate it! I've asked him not to do this, but he insists they are fine locked in the room.

But what if there was an emergency ?
Or what if they accidentally opened the door to a stranger!
At the most, I will go down the hall for ice or to the coke machine, but I guess I am an overprotective mom. I couldn't leave them in the room by themselves, but that's just me, a worry wart.

 

[HappyLawyer]

if you ask input on basically any subject be prepared to get responses even tose you did not ask for. Those who know me on here will tell you, i am direct i do not candy coat anything, and if my asnwer is negative or not one that is liked just read it, and move on. You cannot be offended by what people respond because you asked the question. People on these boards express themselves, you might not always like it,

 

[kaw1218]

There's no way I'd leave 9 year olds alone anywhere, let alone a hotel room.

I am glad I am not the only one who thinks that.

 

[Allison]

She didn't recieve imput, she was totally flamed.

Actually, not until she posted again and was defensive and started attacking. It had been civil until then.

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

I feel sorry for parents whose kids are not trustable.

My daughter is 9. She is completely responsible and "trustable". And I would NEVER leave her alone (or alone with her brother), anywhere. Because I don't trust OTHER people to not try and harm her. I don't trust a hotel not to have an emergency, or a fire. I don't trust her lungs to not have an asthma attack. I don't trust her little brother to not jump on the bed and crack his head open. I don't trust a crazy driver to stop at the crosswalk on her way home from school.

Trusting my child is not the issue. The issue is the dangers inherent in leaving her unattended. What you do with your children is your concern. But don't waste your pity on me. I trust my daughter, and I understand what can be expected of her at age _9_.

I don't have a problem with your initial question. But this statement is downright rude.

 

[digskat]

not until they are teenagers. We live across the street from their school and I still walk them to school. Definately not a 9 yr old!!

 

[jodifla]

i'll leave my dtr alone when she is about 17

17??? Holy smokes. Lots of kids are off to college by then!


I know my overprotective folks were leaving me home alone by 11 or so. I was babysitting by 12, if not 11.....

 

[RDCAnthony]

Wow jcpuppy.com your a nut

 

[HappyLawyer]

17??? Holy smokes. Lots of kids are off to college by then!


I know my overprotective folks were leaving me home alone by 11 or so. I was babysitting by 12, if not 11.....

That is funny but my dtr now is not the most mature she is only 9 and i am hoping she matures, right now she cannot be trusted. I know some families have kids that act differently and i need to me the best judgement that will protect her, it is not being overprotective i just need to be cautious with her.

 

[HappyLawyer]

Originally Posted by jcpuppy.com
I feel sorry for parents whose kids are not trustable


First of all as a parent of a child that i cannot totally trust, i do not need anyone to feel sorry for me, second, i am so glad you think your child is so responsible, perhaps she is quite intelligent and shows you what she wants you to see. I would check the statistics if i were you and see, kids might not be exactly what you think or portray