Money, Kids, Disney

[mjkacmom]

I don't think I'd let a 10 and 13 yr old out alone. Disney is very safe, but I think I'd wait until they were older unless you had walkie-talkies so you could reach them in an instant. It's not that I wouldn't trust my kids... I just don't trust other people...

.

I'm just curious about what dangers they'd be exposed to. Dd12 is 5'3", 110, the size of many adult women. Ds11 also weighs 110. I don't see them being carried off! They'd be more likely to be abducted on their walk to school, in a passing van, than in an amusement park, where people would surely see the struggle. The worst thing I could see happening would be for one of them to get hurt, maybe tripping? If that happened, they could seek medical attention, and call me, and I'd be there within 5 minutes.

 

[aestapa]

"Heck DH doesn't let me have charging privlidges and I don't let him wander off alone!"



Tha's hilarious...we are the opposite. My husband is not allowed in Costco or Sam's...or a Disney gift store unchaperoned, and I'm known to be distracted by shiny objects....or a great Coach bag.

And, no I wouldn't let them head off by themselves at that age. Disney may be safe, but its still a very large place with a lot of different people.

As far as $$$, Dave Ramsey would not be the rich man that he is if adults could resist "just putting it on the card" (including my husband). I agree with the folks that say to give them cash.

Have a fabulous trip!!!

 

[PatsMom]

Once DD was old enough to sign her name, maybe around 10 or so, we started putting charge on her room key. That is just because she gets a kick out of signing the charge slips. She signs for dinner, etc. Her souvenirs she pays cash for. Or now that she has her own checking account, uses her debit card.

When she was in the 8th grade we met two other families from her school in Florida. We sent the kids off by themselves for most of the day. They had phones and so didn't the adults. DD has taken a number of friends with her to WDW and when she has a friend, we let them go off by themselves. She's 17 now but this started around 12 or 13. When she doesn't have a friend, she does mostly hang around with DH and I except when she wants to spend hours in Innoventions - then she's on her own!

 

[tinkermom23]

Heck DH doesn't let me have charging privlidges and I don't let him wander off alone! ;-)

 

[cheap traveler]

I think that as far as your original questions, there are as many different opinions as there are different people. I was allowed to go off with just my sister (one year older, I was more responsible) when I was 15 for about 3 hours. It was 12 years ago, when they had a different system than the "Extra magic hours." It was a big deal for Magic Kingdom to be open a few extra hours that night, and getting back to the campground involved 3 transfers if I recall.
But the real reason I responded is to let you know, last year when I went, you had no choice of WHICH cards to put charging on. If it was on one, it was on them all. So if you want it on your card, it will be on the kid's also. You can just not mention it to them, but just so you know

 

[PatsMom]

I think that as far as your original questions, there are as many different opinions as there are different people. I was allowed to go off with just my sister (one year older, I was more responsible) when I was 15 for about 3 hours. It was 12 years ago, when they had a different system than the "Extra magic hours." It was a big deal for Magic Kingdom to be open a few extra hours that night, and getting back to the campground involved 3 transfers if I recall.
But the real reason I responded is to let you know, last year when I went, you had no choice of WHICH cards to put charging on. If it was on one, it was on them all. So if you want it on your card, it will be on the kid's also. You can just not mention it to them, but just so you know

I've always been asked if I wanted charging on DD's card. Last trip was in February 2009 and as usual I was asked if she should have charge privileges.

 

[Queen of 3 princess]

mjkacmom;31768930]I one who would let my kids. I allow them to walk a few miles across town, with no adult supervision (around here, there are always tweens/teens walking the sidewalks), so I don't know why I wouldn't allow them to walk around WDW without us, with a map, and their cellphones, instructed to ask a CM for help if they needed it. Way back in the day, my parents let me go to WDW alone at that age, while they stayed at the resort I think one of the reasons we have so many fat kids is because parents drive them everywhere.

Actually, kids are overweight because they sit around all of their spare time playing video games and watching tv instead of going outside and playing. Also, eating a diet high in fat with a lot of junk food and pop/soda. It has NOTHING to do with letting your kids go unsupervised all over town.

 

[mjkacmom]

Actually, kids are overweight because they sit around all of their spare time playing video games and watching tv instead of going outside and playing. Also, eating a diet high in fat with a lot of junk food and pop/soda. It has NOTHING to do with letting your kids go unsupervised all over town.

My kids aren't going all over town - they're walking from point A to point B, something kids did all of the time, everywhere, back when I was a kid. DH can't even remember being ever driven to sports practices, but now? We're driving them to their exercise. I'm lucky to live in a town where kids are still allowed to walk places, or ride bikes. And I remember walking WAY more than my kids do, and yes, I do think it contributes to the obesity, as well as video games, tv, and junk food.

 

[pixiepower1971]

Disclaimer- this is what works for our family and opinion only and in no way am I saying that anyone that chooses something different for their family is wrong or a bad parent!

Just returned from a trip with my just turned 13 year old and almost 11 year old. This is the 2nd or 3rd trip they have had charging privleges on their room card. They are allowed to put drinks and snacks on it and if they buy something larger they know it comes from their money and that they are responsible to pay me for it after the trip. They have had debit cards for a few years and are very responsible with money. Its a convenience. It allows us all to only have to carry our room key and AP.

I do allow my girls to go around the same park as me. I also let them play in DisneyQuest while I am at dinner or shopping at DTD. They have phones and know the parks well. I started small when they were younger. Started with letting them go through the line and ride themselves, then on to a land only in MK , to giving them a few hours and having to meet me, on to staying in touch by cell phone and in the same park. It works for us.

I have taught my girls well and give them the independence they need to grow up independent and secure. Are there bad people at Disney- sure. But the risk is low and as parents we have to give them their wings sometime.

To the OP- I think they are old enough to do both. Help your wife by being by her side as your kids grow and helping her to give them a little freedom. I feel they they should get the same freedom at Disney that you trust them with at home. Do they go away with friends, school, to camp? They are on their own at some point I would think. I have seen plenty of middle school age kids on school trips at Disney without chaperones. That would not happen if the schools were concerned at all about safety!

Have fun and enjoy your trip!

 

[ty93850]

I knew I was going to get hammerd on these questions but just wanted some thoughts. As far as our girls earning money. The oldest has her own money she spends, like i wrote earlier she has her own set of cattle that she raises and sells the offspring each year. She buys all her own things now including computers and i pods. THe youngest has her own money as well her claves are not old enough to produce but will be getting her own money from the calves hitting the ground now. I will give them somewhere around 10 dollars a day for spending money and grandparents will give them some aswell most of the time this goes towards a pin for there laynards they have boughten a nice print for the bedrooms in the past aswell. As far as letting them roam the parks that was not the total idea just to let them go off for a couple of hours while dw and I set and eat a ice cream or such. I agree with most of the posts about the wakos this is my biggest fear. I dont think I would let them go to the park bythemselves this trip. We go every 3 years so next trip will be the trip they can go to the park bythemselves.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I'm just curious about what dangers they'd be exposed to. Dd12 is 5'3", 110, the size of many adult women. Ds11 also weighs 110. I don't see them being carried off! They'd be more likely to be abducted on their walk to school, in a passing van, than in an amusement park, where people would surely see the struggle. The worst thing I could see happening would be for one of them to get hurt, maybe tripping? If that happened, they could seek medical attention, and call me, and I'd be there within 5 minutes.

Anything can happen anywhere anytime. Someone could back the girls into a corner and attack them and leave them there. Highly unlikely, but possible. Easiest way to stay out of trouble is to avoid putting yourself or others in a situation where trouble could happen.

You may not like what I have to say, but there is no way on this Earth that I would let my 10 and 13 year old out alone, especially being that they are girls. They could meet someone and leave the park... "Oh we'll be back before we have to meet up with mom and dad" and you never see them again. Natalee Holloway anyone? Again, highly unlikely at WDW but why take the chance?

Also, I see WDW as a family vacation. I couldn't imagine not doing things together down there. Partaking in all the Disney has to offer as a family is one of the best parts of the World - why would I want to miss out on a potentiallly special moment?

 

[DJFan88]

1) Again, If girls became separated, what alot of stress you'd be putting on them, especially the oldest, who would probably feel "in charge" thereby letting everyone down. Lot of responsibility for the bigger kid. Not fair.
2) Holliway example is a great one.
3) Can the kids remain thin if they walk with their parents? Or are they only allowed to walk if they are by themselves and therefore if they don't go off by themselves they will now "get fat"?

Yes, I know that's not how #3 was meant, I just couldn't see the point.

 

[DJFan88]

Sorry, two more points:
1) VERY good point brought up about wife not being able to relax at the time they were out.
and
2) Sounds like the OP has made the decision to not let the girls go off alone.

 

[VeroBeachGirl]

Don't have a daughter your age, but I can speak about how I was treated at your daughter's age. My parents would not have let me tour alone. The limit would be, you can ride this with your brother and we'll meet you at the ride exit.
As for the charging privileges, they would have allowed it. From a young age, it was instilled in us about how hard our family works and not to be wasteful. For some reason, the lessons stuck. All of my siblings and I received credit cards VERY early, but never did we run up a bill. You know your daughters best. If you think they are responsible enough, go ahead and trust them. I am a firm believer in the privileges along with responsibilities school of thought. You are giving them the privilege of having charging power, but trust them with the responsibility of not overspending.