Mistake?

[Frozenfingers]

DW just came home from picking up DD at you know who's...

Father just gave a definate maybe.. (hey, at least he acknowledged they got the invite and are thinking about it!) DW says it is contingent on the girl getting her drivers license and a part time job this summer.. (I'm a little skeptical here.. we have three universities in town.. 16 year olds just can't find work. Been there with two other kids) My DD has this blank look, so I assume her friend hasn't been told yet..

DW is hopeful and excited.. says he was optimistic that she would be able to join us.. says that he understood we need a committment by the first of the month.. next three weeks should go quickly.. at least we know they are not ignoring the issue.

 

[memymomonica]

Things are sounding promising. I will keep my fingers crossed.

 

[Beanie]

I just came across this thread and I do hope you keep us updated on the decision! I really hope your DD's friend is able to go! What a very generous person you are!

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Originally posted by MomE@Home
I wonder if this girl's parents know about Give Kids the World Village near WDW or Make A Wish Foundation ?
They would ALL be able to go to WDW for free. Here are links to the web sites: http://www.gktw.org (Give Kids the World Village) and http://www.wish.org/ (Make A Wish Foundation).

I think it's wonderful that you want to take your DD's friend !

We are taking my DS's friend with us on our next trip to WDW. He would not be able to go otherwise as money is very tight for his family. The father of our DS's friend thanked us for asking his son to go-he thinks it's great. Our DS's friend has a younger brother too and there is not a problem between them over the trip.

Make a wish is for terminal kids They will not grant wishes unless the child has an incurable life threatening disease and has the cognitive level of a 3 years old and I am not sure about the gktw though. A few parents I know have children that were denied through make a wish because their brain injuries are so severe they cannot make their wishes verbal.

It is sad the position this family is in. They probably just see it in light of all the children. They feel horrible they cannot provide and they feel the one child getting a dream vacation may affect their home life negatively. Although I tyhink they should let her go.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Originally posted by MomE@Home
I wonder if this girl's parents know about Give Kids the World Village near WDW or Make A Wish Foundation ?
They would ALL be able to go to WDW for free. Here are links to the web sites: http://www.gktw.org (Give Kids the World Village) and http://www.wish.org/ (Make A Wish Foundation).

I think it's wonderful that you want to take your DD's friend !

We are taking my DS's friend with us on our next trip to WDW. He would not be able to go otherwise as money is very tight for his family. The father of our DS's friend thanked us for asking his son to go-he thinks it's great. Our DS's friend has a younger brother too and there is not a problem between them over the trip.

Make a wish is for terminal kids They will not grant wishes unless the child has an incurable life threatening disease and has the cognitive level of a 3 years old and I am not sure about the gktw though. A few parents I know have children that were denied through make a wish because their brain injuries are so severe they cannot make their wishes verbal.

It is sad the position this family is in. They probably just see it in light of all the children. They feel horrible they cannot provide and they feel the one child getting a dream vacation may affect their home life negatively. Although I tyhink they should let her go.

 

[AmazingGrace]

Originally posted by 3DisneyNUTS
Make a wish is for terminal kids They will not grant wishes unless the child has an incurable life threatening disease and has the cognitive level of a 3 years old and I am not sure about the gktw though. A few parents I know have children that were denied through make a wish because their brain injuries are so severe they cannot make their wishes verbal.

It is sad the position this family is in. They probably just see it in light of all the children. They feel horrible they cannot provide and they feel the one child getting a dream vacation may affect their home life negatively. Although I tyhink they should let her go.

It's not just for terminal kids. It's for any child between the age of 2-18 who has a life threatening condition. My son is getting to go to Disney through Make A Wish, and his tumor was removed. He qualifies because brain tumors and cancer fit the criteria. We're staying at Give Kids The World. The Make Wish/terminal thing is a misconception that almost made us turn away from the whole wish thing. In fact, the wish coordinator told me that there are more and more kids who are getting wishes and are growing up to live normal healthy lives.
Also, if a child can't verbally communicate their wish, then they have them draw their wish, and they use that.
Have a great day,

 

[Frozenfingers]

Hi Loriann.. thanks for the information. I see your counters reflect two fantastic events coming up soon! Prayers and Pixie Dust from our family to yours..

 

[Frozenfingers]

Sure am glad this is the last kid..

DD came home Monday and said she had a talk with the mom again, seems DD misinterpreted the previous conversation she had with her about the invitation. The mother didn't know anything about it!! ?? .... and I thought my family was dysfunctional.. I think they are brewing gin in the bathtub.

So, after a lengthy discussion between DD, DW and myself, we have come to the conclussion that we have no idea what is going on... DW insists the dad gave the pseudo ok, DD insists her friend's sibs are acting up about the invite, and I give up...

Tuesday.... DD comes home and says "buy the plane tickets" "the parents say ok" . According to DD, her friend needs to get a job this summer as part of the deal... (I'm ready to hire her myself just to end the misery!)

Still no word from the parents... the girls are already dreaming and planning.. (and worrying about the cost, God bless them!) There will be NO joy in this house if the rug gets pulled out from under therm now, but, I am not going to invest any $$$ till I get a firm committment from the parents... so there is still hope Beth!

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Originally posted by AmazingGrace
It's not just for terminal kids. It's for any child between the age of 2-18 who has a life threatening condition. My son is getting to go to Disney through Make A Wish, and his tumor was removed. He qualifies because brain tumors and cancer fit the criteria. We're staying at Give Kids The World. The Make Wish/terminal thing is a misconception that almost made us turn away from the whole wish thing. In fact, the wish coordinator told me that there are more and more kids who are getting wishes and are growing up to live normal healthy lives.
Also, if a child can't verbally communicate their wish, then they have them draw their wish, and they use that.
Have a great day,

I am so glad your son is doing so well . I love hearing that

I guess I was wrong thinking it was terminal. My son had a stroke in utero which damaged most of his brain. We were told he wouldn't live past one. He is doing really well (going to be 4 in Sept ) but some of the kids who have his condition aren't and the families have gone to make a wish but were told because the cognition isn't there it really isn't the child's wish. If that makes sense. Since they cannot communicate they do not qualify. I guess because of the 3 year old rule.

I don't know why I thought it was only for terminal kids. Thanks for clearing that up for me. I guess when I was researching it for our family it was when we were still thinking on terms of Chris' original prognosis. So I guess terminal just stuck in my head.

When are you guys going? How old is your son? We are going in November. We are cruising and doing a resort stay. We did WDW for Chris' first time in Sept of last year and he had such a blast we went back in February.

 

[Rapunsel]

Ok the deadline has passed.. What is the verdict?

 

[Frozenfingers]

Originally posted by Rapunsel
Ok the deadline has passed.. What is the verdict?

You Know.. We really don't know for certain. ....

The girls are getting giggly, DD is asking for url's to websites and souvenier brochures, so they are starting to look at things. We need to leave the middle weekend so we gave DD a choice of staying in Orlando (Seaworld & IOA), Daytona (beach & the Space Center), or St Pete area (Beach & Busch Gardens) She and her friend decided on St Pete.

The girls parents have yet to talk to DW or myself about it.... I understand from DD that they said OK to their daughter providing she gets a job this summer... I will admit, I am concerned about the "if she gets a job" provision.. too easy for them to pull the rug after school starts again. Leaves us holding the bag .. and the kids feeling abused..

So, if I pull the offer because the deadline has passed and the parents haven't committed (to us).. does that make us the bad guys? Or, do we commit funds and make reservations etc based on DD's understanding the parents gave the ok IF she gets a job? (THAT isn't going to happen!) Right now I don't feel it is my place or responsibility to followup with the parents .. that could be just testosterone induced posturing on my part... it's a man thingy. I really did expect them to call/contact us before May 1st one way or the other.. if even to ask a question or two before deciding.. they are well into the "rude zone" now..

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I agree that the parents are being rude by not calling to discuss this with you and/or give their answer. Before you make your plans you need to know from them, not their daughter or your daughter, if they have given their ok.

Can your wife call them or stop in to talk with them? There are certain times that I don't send my husband in to do the talking, whether it be with our children or other people, because he comes across as too forceful, no bull kind of guy when he is irritated. Of course sometimes I send him in to do the dirty work for the very reason that he is more forceful, no bull kind of person. lol Just depends on the situation. If not, maybe you can call them and tell them what the girls have said and ask for their confirmation. Maybe ask them a little more about their daughter getting a summer job and their definition of a job (a real 40 hour a week kind of job, part time, babysitting to earn some estra money, etc). I know that at least in our area summer jobs for teens are supposed to be hard to come by this year. Good luck talking with them!

T&B

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Is it possible to have a standby friend in reserve? like a family member or a cousin that could fill the space if she backs out last minute. I don't remember if you are providing airfare but I would definitely pay extra for a rebookable ticket that way if she does back out the ticket can be rebooked for another time and a family memebr can use it.
It isn't out of line to call the parents directly or stop by since you will be laying out a considerable amount of $$ for this to happen. It stinks that you cannot even attempot to do something nice for people anymore without it turning into a nightmare!

 

[Frozenfingers]

Took your advice T&B and I sik'd the wife on 'em.. and, I guess they had a nice conversation. DW spelled it out very plainly that the trip was for the girls and unless they gave us a committment now.. we would not be going. They apparently understood that we would be going regardless.. but DW said we wouldn't go without their daughter, period. Now THAT was news to me!!

SOoooo, the mother said for us to go make the plans,... THE GIRLS ARE GOING TO SEE MICKEY!!!!

 

[Schmeck]

Hooray! That's wonderful news! Hope you have the best trip ever!

And thanks for letting us all in on the outcome - but now you have to promise a nice trip report when you get back

 

[colleen costello]

WOW! That was like some great soap opera. I enjoyed reading this and hope the trip will be amazing. Definitely promise a trip report to all of us who were in on "the planning!"

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Originally posted by Frozenfingers
Took your advice T&B and I sik'd the wife on 'em.. and, I guess they had a nice conversation.

I'll be sending you my bill.

I'm glad the mother finally commited to it--talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth. The girls will have a great time and will make wonderful memories!

T&B

 

[bigbabyblues]

YEAH!!! I found this thread on the end, but I'm sitting here reading the replies, and thinking...WELL!! Is she going????

I'm so happy for your dd and her friend, you really are giving them the trip of their lifetime, at least so far!

We'd love to hear a trip report when you get back!

~Steph

 

[Frozenfingers]

An interesting twist.. DW tells me one reason for the delay in getting back to us was they were awaiting word from some rellie out in California to firm up wedding plans. Seems those dates may have conflicted with our trip...

Now the dates are set so... just after we get back from Florida, she has to repack and be on her way to California. Seems the family will be taking advantage of this and taking all the kids to DisneyLand!!

I swear to God, I ain't making this up!! Must be all the prayers and pixie dust you guys have been tossing our way...

BTW, the girls decided St Pete is out... Seaworld beat out Busch Gardens, Then on Saturday, they want to relax at Vero Beach ..
I'm sure it will change a couple of more times before it is really settled and reservations made.. sure is fun watching those two!

 

[tarmand]

Let me tell ya, you have got to be the best dad ever. I can't ever imagine my father getting excided over watching me plan a trip (or taking me on a trip for that matter ) We took my husband's God child two summers ago and it was wonderful. To see the happiness in his eyes was great.

As for the other posts about ill children. There is a great charity called Kidd's Kids that was started by a radio D.J. Kidd Kraddick back in 1987, I think. Every November, they charter a large American Airlines jet, hire doctors and nurses and take ENTIRE families to Disneyworld for 4 days. I believe they stay at the Swan or the Dolphin. They hold fundraising events throughout the year. They accept families of terminally and chronically ill 5 - 11 year old children that could not afford to go otherwise. For more details go to Kidd's Kids . I have personally donated to this charity and think it is wonderful.

Please spread the word about this charity as I believe they begin accepting applications soon!