Need help with preteens?

[jewellmmc]

Having been a preteen a couple of years ago I thought I'd help you parents out with young teens (9-12) who think Disney is not as "Cool" as tanning in Cuba! (Yes, I was a brat....) One thing that I would do is not force your kids to get autographs or wear things they don't want to (fuzzy Princess shirts etc.). I don't know this from personal experience but my friend had to and it ruined her trip. Another thing, is to let print of some CM thank you cards and get her/him to pass them out if one of the cast members made her/him feel especially welcome. Cast Members are half of the magical experience! Let them have some responsibility! Some good examples would be being in charge of taking pictures,spending his or her money how he or she wants, and choosing places to go or eat. Lastly, when they complain, don't yell at them (especially in public) it just makes them want to sulk more!

 

[jennymouse]

Thanks for the tips! I'm taking my granddaughter, 11, over Thanksgiving and will keep your suggestions in mind. Where can I get the cards for the CM's? She's been several times, but the last time we were there she was 8. I went to the Disney Store to buy her and my 2yo granddaughter some things to wear to WDW. Of course I got the 2yo some things but only ended up with a zip up hooded sweatshirt for the 11yo. It's an adult one. It's pink and does have a patch with Minnie on one side and a big patch of Minnie on the back. It's not too cutesy tho; I'd wear it. Do you think she'd like it?

 

[jlcbshaw]

Great information. The one thing that we parents forget sometimes is that young people are just that, young people and are capable of making sound choices if we allow them to and seek to understand where they are coming from. As a matter of fact, this trip I have advised my three children (17,13 & 9) that there WILL be a day that they will have for themselves and that once they arrive at the park they are free to go and do as they choose, without mom and dad. Of course, we will still be in the same park and they all have their cell phones in case of an emergency, but we will see them when the park closes. Also gives me something to look forward to, a day with just the wife, works well both ways

Thanks again for the great information.

 

[jewellmmc]

Hey JennyMouse,

You can either make the Cm cards wih scrapbooking items or go on google and do a search! I would suggest making them though, it adds a good personal touch!As for the minnie sweater, it sounds good!I would wear it. As long as it isn't frilly or all of the things and eleven yO wouldn't want! I think it sounds good. If she doesn't like it, I'd try getting her a red or light blue sweater with a small Disney characer in the corner of the sweater, but I'm sure she'll like it!

 

[jewellmmc]

JennyMouse,
I have found the site that my mother printed off our CM cards incase you don't ant to make them: http://***********/APP/CMCards.shtml

 

[jewellmmc]

Well, since DIS blocked out that part here is what goes in there:
Take out spaces and add an m at the end.
t a g r e l . c o

 

[mjh8955]

My kids are too old for the autograph thing too, but they really like trivia stuff. Mouseforless.com has little pocket guides that can be downloaded and printed off. They are like trivia searches, one for each park, and my kids 11 and 14 loved them this trip. They can be found under downloads then just for fun. I printed them on different color paper for each park.

 

[TwinkieMama]

with a complaining preteen?

we just returned from our first family vacation in a few years....
last trip we had two adults and one well behaved child
this trip we had two grandparents, two adults, an infant, three year old twins and a rude, complaining preteen

I would love suggestions....
TIA