Leaving Your Toddler Behind

[krzykramer]

Are there other people out there who leave small ones at home and only take the older kids?

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We are at peace with our decision now.

[/LEFT]

There is no reason to feel guilty for not taking your daughter! After all it's your vacation too! My 8 yr old was a great traveler (We are also from Columbus and obviously fly) and we went to Disney 3x per year until she started school. My 3 yr old is another story. We have taken her several times on family vaca's, but it really is hard when you have a toddler not enjoying and just screaming for one reason or another. My DH and I now also go 1x per year just the 2 of us. The first time we felt guilty, but we deserve to go, we work hard and should and enjoy ourselves.
I'm proud you're happy with your decision, its a great one!

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

The tricky part about toddlers is that their mood swings are unpredictable; both in timing, and degree. They can strike wherever, whenever, and you are a thousand miles from home so chances are a lot higher that there will be a meltdown. That would make me very nervous as a mommy. Especially if you know your daughter can be intense. DD is the easiest going 21m/o ever and she still had a meltdown a day in WDW... usually when I was about to take the first hot bite of whatever it was I was supposed to be eating. The screaming is no fun for anyone. And even if she wasn't screaming, I would be working very very VERY hard to keep her as comfortable as possible. Hence, not relaxing. I sorta get it



Do not miss the chance to share this experience and bond with your son. And when you start to feel guilty look at him and know that at that moment, he is having fun with his parents without any distractions. That's something I'd want to embrace. Seems to me like you were actually thinking of your older son!



I think everyone else already scolded you enough for bringing up 'Disney Myth 101: Your baby will never remember it.' The truth is she would never get out of it what your son will on this trip. And this give you a perfect reason to go back in 3 years, if not sooner! You'll just have to make an extra big deal about your princesses first trip.

I like this answer best...

I didn't bother reading all the other posts, but I can imagine some of the scathing remarks. Anyway, I think what you are doing is an act of kindness, and nothing to feel guilty about. You know your daughter better than anyone on the DISboards does. My youngest son, literally screamed anytime we went into a mall. It was so weird, he'd go from his happy-go-lucky self to a raging manic when you pushed him into the first store. So mama just didn't go to the mall with him, it was the kind thing to do. If your daughter has stressor's, and you know what they are (i.e. being confined), then you are doing the best thing for her by leaving her behind. Would you rather her have memories of having special time with Grandma and Grandpa, or memories of herself being tortured in a stroller or airplane for hours on end? The way I see it, you are doing her a favor not putting her through those things. From the way you wrote your thread, the flight and stroller alone would be pure torture for her, and you are saving her the discomfort....and yes, the discomfort of others, who would be sitting there listening to her scream during the airplane ride. I thank you for thinking of your daughter first, and what's right for her kids aren't made from a cookie cutter....what's right for one family isn't going to be right for the next. Don't let those with perfect little babies glam you into going against your mother's instinct. Everyone wants to think 20 years from now she'll say "I remember walking through those gates for the first time, and it was pure magic!!", when it sounds like if you took her she'd say "I remember walking through those gates for the first time, in that horrid little stroller, struggling so hard to get out. They kept me confined for hours, letting me scream, now I have to see a therapist when someone even mentions Disney!" Hey, if you can have good memories at that age, then you can have bad too...and if you think this trip would stress her right now, then it's not worth the risk!! Take your son and have a wonderful visit....and when the time is right, you will do it right with your daughter!

 

[DisLee]

I'm not here to judge you. do what you feel is right.


But kids are really sponges at this age and the different scenery is wonderful for their minds. I took both of my kids as early as 9 months old. they really enjoyed it.