My kids are such "model citizens".....

[Nie0214]

I visit many different forums, and I have to say that the DIS seems to have too many people who just love to "police" everything. There are so many topics that get turned into "xxx was very rude, sorry OP " and go on for pages talking about how xxx said something meanly or gave a "bad" opinion, or whatever have you.

Sometimes I don't know what is worse.. xxx who was rude to begin with, or the 100s of people being just as rude to xxx because they feel the need to "manners police" the forums.

/Mic off:

@OP Anyhow, I'd go on this one last trip.. and maybe try not to over-plan each day. Plan in some mid-day breaks for your kids to hang out at the hotel and swim. I'm not sure if you go park-commando or not, but perhaps asking them if there is a certain place they want to go in Disney, or their favorite park? Ask what characters they want to see?

Maybe they would get excited if you started a collection of those pressed pennies, or pin trading, etc. Being young during the Pokemon hype, I know how appealing "Gotta catch 'em all!" can be.

 

[buckeyebill1995]

I agree with previous post. We are going on our fourth trip later this year and DD8 is just as excited about this trip as the first one. But we are careful to let her have a vote in what we do and we make each trip different. She enjoys the pools a lot (even though we have one in the backyard!) so even though DH and I think it's a waste we always factor time in for swimming.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

I want to thank everyone you contributed to helping me figure out what's going on with my kids.
I got to thinking "what if Disney isn't their 'thing' or they are tired of going" and decided to toss it by DS8 and asked him "How excited would you be if we went back to Disney" He replied that he would be really excited. I then asked him if he could go anywhere on vacation, where would he like to go. After a longtime of thinking he replied that he couldn't think of anything besides Disney. Then he said the only thing he doesn't like is that the toys cost so much.
So I'm still at a loss as to why the lack of enthusiasm while we are there. Maybe it's just their personality or they burn out easily. Or as some of you suggested maybe we just started taking them too early and now they expect it. We don't really do "commando" type touring. Our last trip we would go to the parks for part of the day and then either tour the area or hang out at the pool. I know they were less than happy to have to do things that little sis liked. ie Dumbo, seeing the princesses, IASW, ect. But it can't be all about ToT, Everest and SM either.

Anyhow, I brought this subject up because this type of behavior from my kids was bothering me and I wondered if this type of behavior from my kids was normal. I was given a bunch of possibilities, of which I took into consideration. Most of those who posted did so because they were trying to help and I am thankful to them. But, I'm sorry this thread took the turn that it did. I should have assumed it would, as lately no one can say anything on here without someone critizing them. We all love Disney, that's why we are here. So why do we all have to fight with eachother? One would think that a Disney message board would be one of the most friendly around, guess we have a lot to work on. I know I've thought, more than once, why do I bother with the DIS, is it really worth it to feel bad or upset about something someone said on here for any length of time.
I for one, will be working on Thumper's motto: If you can't say somthin' nice, don't say nothin' at all.

 

[xipetotec]

I don't know how they got this way, I certainly didn't incourage it and wish I could stop it. Lord, knows how hard I've tried, but it goes in one ear and out the other.

We've been to Disney 3 times. The first time they were happy to go, but the next two they weren't grateful at all to be there. In fact, they complained a couple of times about having to go.
This bothered me but not the extent it does now, after the conversation I had with the neighbor girl.
Earlier this year we had a family move in nextdoor, they are a single parent family and moved from the inner-city. The neighbor girl came over to play with my kids and after a while she came to sit by me in the garage. While we were sitting there she spotted a large plastic WDW bag that was now being used as a storage bag for some fake flowers. She gasped and said, you all got to go to Disney world? I said yes,(didn't tell her that is was our 3rd trip) we went in May. Her eyes lit up and she said, Did you all get to see the big castle? I said yes and she asked if we got to see the big bed and apartment. I told her no, but we were able to walk through the castle. The conversation went on for a bit longer, but the point that struck me was that she was so excited that she knew someone that got to go to Disney world and here my kids are to the point that the excitment of going to Disney World is that of maybe going to the local park for the day.
I swear, if something doesn't change, I'm going to leave them home and take her instead. Okay, vent over. Anyone expierencing a simular situation, or are my kids the only "model citizens" at WDW?

Well I don't quite have it that bad. Our kids DO get excited to go. And they DO love it. But DW got a bit upset one year when they were just kinda "whatever" leaving the park on the last day and she felt that for some kids it's a once in a lifetime thing, and they are just "blase". Not that they don't love it, but that they know they'll be back, so whatever. ( We go about every two years with my mother's DVC ).

That being said, this past trip, we were walking between TomorrowLand and the hub with our youngest on the last day, the sun was setting, we could see the castle, and our youngest ( then 9 ) literally broke down crying. Realizing it was our last day and that it would be two years till we'd be back.... of course, no one likes to see their little ones cry, so that brought the tears all around... what a sad lot

2010 here we come!

 

[chloe770]

Anyhow, I brought this subject up because this type of behavior from my kids was bothering me and I wondered if this type of behavior from my kids was normal. I was given a bunch of possibilities, of which I took into consideration. Most of those who posted did so because they were trying to help and I am thankful to them. But, I'm sorry this thread took the turn that it did. I should have assumed it would, as lately no one can say anything on here without someone critizing them. We all love Disney, that's why we are here. So why do we all have to fight with eachother? One would think that a Disney message board would be one of the most friendly around, guess we have a lot to work on. I know I've thought, more than once, why do I bother with the DIS, is it really worth it to feel bad or upset about something someone said on here for any length of time.
I for one, will be working on Thumper's motto: If you can't say somthin' nice, don't say nothin' at all.

It's nice to see someone take the high road. I hope you and your family have a great trip.

 

[noodleknitter]

shouldn't someone who's been here for thousands of posts know better than to engage in "fighting", sarcasm & personal attacks??

Yep, you are right. I do know the rules. I also know that there are times when a concept is more important than the DIS rules. Life is like that, though sometimes. I wasn't being sarcastic. I was being perfectly straight forward. That probably won't stop me from getting points. It will surely be considered a personal attack. Just like the poster I was dealing with was rude and attacked Crisi.

I do find it amazing when someone comes from nowhere and immediately gets snarly. I wonder if they do that in real life. You know, take their kid to a new playgroup, and start being rude to those who have been there forever. I'm thinking that probably doesn't turn out that well.

 

[MonicaInFlorida]

Yep, you are right. I do know the rules. I also know that there are times when a concept is more important than the DIS rules. Life is like that, though sometimes. I wasn't being sarcastic. I was being perfectly straight forward. That probably won't stop me from getting points. It will surely be considered a personal attack. Just like the poster I was dealing with was rude and attacked Crisi.

I do find it amazing when someone comes from nowhere and immediately gets snarly. I wonder if they do that in real life. You know, take their kid to a new playgroup, and start being rude to those who have been there forever. I'm thinking that probably doesn't turn out that well.

You just can't let it go, can you? You just have to keep getting your digs in. Yeah, have fun with that.

 

[disykat]

I think some kids just aren't good travelers. I'm guessing it would be the same wherever you went. Obviously not in the same age group, but my 13 year old pooped all over our vacation this year. He would have rather been home sitting in front of the television!

My kids have both gone through phases where they didn't like disruptions in their routine. One is a control freak, one is pretty laid back, but they both like to know what to expect when they are out of their element. WDW can be pretty intense for some people!

My suggestions would be to try to keep to some kind of routine. My kids did better if we had a slow start and end to the day and a break in the middle. For example - get up, let them watch 1/2 hour of cartoons while we are getting ready, breakfast, tour, lunch, tour, hotel break with swimming, dinner, tour, 1/2 hour of tv while winding down for bed. I don't let them watch any tv on vacations now, but it was something "familiar" for them when they were younger and it gave them some time to "escape the vacation." DH and I would do our planning of details that the kids wouldn't want to sit through during those down times.

Let them know what the plans are and be involved in the planning if they want to. Use meal times to remind them what the plans and expectations are. Let them know that plans can change if it gets too hot, etc.

And - as others have pointed out - not everyone likes WDW. Maybe they just don't. I like it more as an adult than I did as a child. It makes me really sad when I see posts equating children not liking Disney as not having any innocence or magic - or even "embracing cynacism!" . It really is just a preference.

 

[perkinsrose]

Yep, you are right. I do know the rules. I also know that there are times when a concept is more important than the DIS rules. Life is like that, though sometimes. I wasn't being sarcastic. I was being perfectly straight forward. That probably won't stop me from getting points. It will surely be considered a personal attack. Just like the poster I was dealing with was rude and attacked Crisi.

I do find it amazing when someone comes from nowhere and immediately gets snarly. I wonder if they do that in real life. You know, take their kid to a new playgroup, and start being rude to those who have been there forever. I'm thinking that probably doesn't turn out that well.

My, miss monica, you sure have brought such joy to the boards in the whole 2 weeks you've been here. Or are just another banned poster returning to be "fussy?"

This is the sarcasm I was referring to.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

back to the OPs post...I had to laugh the other day when my DD 4 out of the blue told me what her favorite thing about Disney was...

"The girl that goes thru the Top Must Sees at Disney on the TV"



They really do have a different perspective sometimes.

 

[mom2faith]

My ds (10) is saving pop cans to recycle - he has about 15lbs at the moment (in Canada we don't pay a deposit, but you can take them in by the pound and get money per pound for the aluminum).

Just wanted to note that in Saskatchewan, Canada we do get 15 cents a can, 20 cents a bottle, etc for all aluminum, plastic and glass pop, beer, etc bottles.

Also, my DD (3 1/2) is already saving as well. We have a budget for the family, but she knows that she can buy things too. She picked out 20 books she no longer wanted and I listed them on Kijiji. I really wish I would've had a camera when the lady arrived. Faith handed her the bag and took the money and RAN!! to her piggy bank. It was 2 blues (2 x $5) and 1 purple (1 x $10) and she knows that is her Disney money!! (Heaven help us when we have to exchange it into US dollars that is not blue and purple - LOL!!). She also earn quarters for various chores. Small things like helping set the table and putting away her toys and clothes.

Good luck with the kids!!