Leaving the kdis home this time...help!

[brownsoup]

Ok - My wife and I have taken our Son (4) and Daughter (2.5) to Disney 2x's already. The first trip was difficult as it was over EASTER.....wow the crowds! By the 4th night - my Son (2.5 at the time) was NUTS! I'll never forget him screaming his head off at the California Grill. To add insult - my Daughter (1.5 at the time) was ill with a fever. She had a fever for the whole time we were in Disney.....yes we had a few magical moments but...very few.

We VOWED to return so later that year in the fall - we returned.
-----had a great time. The kids loved it, were well behaved, and generally had a ball. Unfortunately, for 5 of 7 days - I carried a fever and sore throat (had to get antibiotics from my Dr. at home....of course I knew where all the CVS's were from our last trip!)

Came home - we had a good time but Mom and Dad (me) still had a missing piece (peace) from our Disney trip. SOOOOOOO>>>>

We planned a 3rd trip for this September. (Husband and wife - 11th anniversary...just the two of us)
My call for help is in finding a way to help the both of us explain it to our children. Thius far, we have been telling them that we are going to "Adult Disney" and are doing research, or rather "checking it out" for our next trip. The kids will be well taken care of while we are gone as we have the luxury of very supportive and loving families on both sides....
....Still - I feel guilty, bad...you name it, for leaving the kids at home. I understand intellectually that it is important for my wife and I to go alone and take time for ourselves - it is still a struggle. My Son does not quite understand why he has to go and my little daughter just says "Me come too" Breaks my heart!
----------Any tips or advise on getting the kids to accept Mom and Dads trip would be helpful. We do plan on a fall 2004 trip with the kids btw

Struggling - Mufasa

 

[dg39]

I know alot of posters will disagree with me with this one, but, IMHO, I wouldn't tell the kids where we're going. I would tell them we're going away for a few days & not mention disney. We're leaving this friday morning & are only taking my younger one. My 2 big ones (they're 18, twins) are staying home. I know thats quite a bit of an age diff. from your kids, but disney is disney. But they can't get off from work for 2 weeks. I feel terribly guilty,(not, that guilty, cause we're still going,LOL), because they love the GF RPC. So I just told them that we're going to the MOWC in Orlando & we're not going to disney.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

I agree with dg39, I would have never told them where you were going. Not telling them a lie, just leave it very open that you were going off on an adult trip. Now that they do know however, I would discuss the trip only when they are not around.Not even bring the subject up again until a couple weeks before the trip. Anytime they ask, playdown disney and play up something they will find boaring; long afternoon naps, long quite dinners, sleeping late. Also play up the fun they will have at grandmas. and the gifts you will bring them back.
Also consider how long the trip will be. Are they use to mom and dad trips without them? Week-end only trips? If they are used to you being gone, there should be no problem, but if you have never left them before, you might want to keep the trip shorter than a full week.
Though we have only left our DS for long week-ends, and never for WDW, we started going off alone when he was three and find that it is wonderful for our marriage! I do however still feel those tugs of guilt when we leave and everytime on the trip I see somting that I know DS would love. That is very normal and means you are a good parent.
Good luck with the situation.

Jordan's mom

 

[brownsoup]

thanks for the feedback - Good tip about focusing more on thier fun and our misery ("Adult Disney" can be so horrible - out late at diner, relaxing, shopping (not at toy stores). We may even take baths TWO times in a day!)

I still bet I will tear up when i see excited kids pulling thier parents hands as they run towards the Magic...

But then 10 seconds later I'll go "wheeew" as I see a Dad pushing a double stroler with tons of kids gear wrapped around his neck.

Thanks again and thanks in advance for any other feedback -Mufasa

 

[BrerMom]

DS4 went to Camp Cousin while we went to Camp Mickey ºoº !!! It worked very well for us. Even if your relatives are coming to your house, you could do something similar.

 

[AspiringCindy]

DH and I took a trip to WDW without the kids 2 months after our family trip to WDW. We also never discussed with them where DH and I were going. I did feel guity before we left, but we had such a great time (3 glorious days). Sometimes us adults need a little R and R from the kids to continue doing an effective job of parenting. Enjoy yourselves!

 

[InstImpres]

I am taking a solo trip while my DD(7) spends some time visiting with her Dad (he lives out of state). I did tell her where I am going and explained I am doing Mommy things Backstage tours, hotel visits, etc. I couldn't not tell because I am so excited and know that I will have pictures to share at least with other family members.

I also have thought of some special things to bring back. She is into the pressed pennies so I am going to run around like crazy to get her the 7 lilo and stitch pennies. Also, the charm bracelet she wants from DTD.

It is amazing how easily we can feel guilty. My DD is very deprived she was at Disney in Feb and will be back in August and next Feb.

Enjoy your trip
Sandy