Oh the guilt!

[Manders77]

Thanks everyone so much for the replies. The decision is still up in the air although it seems to be leaning more towards leaving DS2 with grandma. I've talked to DS5 about it and he prefers for his little brother not to come. With that bring said the youngest is 18 months right now and in a stage of communication frustration as he learns to talk. This equals a lot of screaming and whining right now. When I asked my oldest if he wanted his little brother to come to WDW with us I was told "no, he will scream, cry and hit me the whole time." We could be well out of this phase (God willing) by then and they could be back to best buds again. We've still got a lot of time to decide so I'm hoping the decision will be easier as the time gets closer. Thanks again.

You need to do what's best for your family. Just be prepared in case the little one says he doesn't want big brother to go when its his turn. And it should be his option as well when he is that age. I know some will agree and some will disagree.

 

[tms295psu]

I would take them both! Could imagine leaving one at home...

 

[tlh0726]

Thanks everyone so much for the replies. The decision is still up in the air although it seems to be leaning more towards leaving DS2 with grandma. I've talked to DS5 about it and he prefers for his little brother not to come. With that bring said the youngest is 18 months right now and in a stage of communication frustration as he learns to talk. This equals a lot of screaming and whining right now. When I asked my oldest if he wanted his little brother to come to WDW with us I was told "no, he will scream, cry and hit me the whole time." We could be well out of this phase (God willing) by then and they could be back to best buds again. We've still got a lot of time to decide so I'm hoping the decision will be easier as the time gets closer. Thanks again.

Can understand at 18 months the screaming and crying, but why is hitting being tolerated?

Also agree with why is a 5 year old being asked what he wants?


Sorry but in our family trips like this are about family. Local places is where one on one time with mom and/or dad occur.

 

[mjkacmom]

You need to do what's best for your family. Just be prepared in case the little one says he doesn't want big brother to go when its his turn. And it should be his option as well when he is that age. I know some will agree and some will disagree.

Why? The next time they go, if the younger one questions it, just tell him WDW is much easier and more fun without a toddler along. We did an annual trip to Hersey Park, for the potty trained kids. The younger ones were left with grandma. None ever questioned it.

 

[RobynPrincess]

I'm kind of shocked that you are asking the 5 year old to make the decision and that you are letting him think he has a choice. Doesn't seem like a good way to foster a sibling relationship. "Oh mom and dad let me decide whether I wanted you to come or not."

Totally agree with this. Take both or none. I have nannied for family who have split the children up in this way and it ONLY leads to heartache

 

[BigAlsGal]

Totally agree with this. Take both or none. I have nannied for family who have split the children up in this way and it ONLY leads to heartache

 

[ashleymrush]

Can understand at 18 months the screaming and crying, but why is hitting being tolerated? Also agree with why is a 5 year old being asked what he wants? Sorry but in our family trips like this are about family. Local places is where one on one time with mom and/or dad occur.

I wanted to make two quick comments on this:

1) The hitting is not tolerated. My youngest picked up the habit from another child and went through a spell of hitting his brother when he wanted a toy. The appropriate consequences are given on every occurrence and is never tolerated. It has gotten better recently, so much so that it's not really a problem anymore, it was just a one month phase and we have quickly jumped on correcting the issue.

2) As I stated in a previous post, I had a very nonspecific conversation with my oldest about who it would be fun to go to WDW with "one day." This was not a conversation that specifically asked the question "Do you want your brother to go?" He doesn't even know we are going any time soon so it was a completely hypothetical situation.

Thank you for your other input but I just wanted to clarify the information above.

 

[kc2kl115]

Only you can decide what is best for your family but I would say that if you are feeling some guilt now then that guilty feeling will probably be there during your trip as well. If you are feeling guilty during the trip then how will you ever enjoy it. I would take both of them and maybe bring your mother so she can help with the two year old.

 

[nugov2]

Totally agree with this. Take both or none. I have nannied for family who have split the children up in this way and it ONLY leads to heartache

Give me a break If they have heartache it isn't because a 18 month old was once left home from a WDW vacation.

 

[DSNY4ever]

TAKE YOUR 2 YEAR OLD. We just took DS for his second birthday in September and it was the best trip of our entire lives. He had an absolute blast and so did we. I will remember it forever. We made a video and I shared it on here a while back, here it is- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMQcu9WFIIw

Don't miss the opportunity to have a wonderful trip with your WHOLE family. We plan to do it again when the little souvenir we brought home turns 2

 

[themommy]

TAKE YOUR 2 YEAR OLD. We just took DS for his second birthday in September and it was the best trip of our entire lives. He had an absolute blast and so did we. I will remember it forever. We made a video and I shared it on here a while back, here it is- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMQcu9WFIIw

Don't miss the opportunity to have a wonderful trip with your WHOLE family. We plan to do it again when the little souvenir we brought home turns 2

That's a great video! Congrats on your ummm souvenir!

 

[Fantastic4]

Just to throw something out there. What if, heaven forbid, something happens down the road and you aren't able to go to disney again? My mind set is a little different as a military wife the concept that nothing is guaranteed is always on my mind. Vacation time is family time and for us that means everyone regardless of age. I hope you can make a decision that brings your family peace so you can enjoy the happiest place on earth.

Also just to add a 5 year olds opinion is going to change from minute to minute I honestly wouldn't consider his opinion in the decision.

 

[ashleymrush]

TAKE YOUR 2 YEAR OLD. We just took DS for his second birthday in September and it was the best trip of our entire lives. He had an absolute blast and so did we. I will remember it forever. We made a video and I shared it on here a while back, here it is- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMQcu9WFIIw

Don't miss the opportunity to have a wonderful trip with your WHOLE family. We plan to do it again when the little souvenir we brought home turns 2

Thanks so much for sharing this video! I loved watching it and it even made me tear up a little. With that said, a Disney commercial can do the same sometimes. It has really pushed me in the direction of wanting to take the little one even more and making a video myself.

Just to throw something out there. What if, heaven forbid, something happens down the road and you aren't able to go to disney again? My mind set is a little different as a military wife the concept that nothing is guaranteed is always on my mind. Vacation time is family time and for us that means everyone regardless of age. I hope you can make a decision that brings your family peace so you can enjoy the happiest place on earth.

Also just to add a 5 year olds opinion is going to change from minute to minute I honestly wouldn't consider his opinion in the decision.

Thank you also for your comment. I didn't even think about that as a possibility. I'm not a military wife but I often think about the same things and if something (God forbid) were to happen to any of us, I know I would regret not taking him forever. Your comment coupled with the video above has fully put me into the "take the 2 year old" category! Now I just need to figure out how to adjust our plans accordingly.

 

[Minnesota!]

TAKE YOUR 2 YEAR OLD. We just took DS for his second birthday in September and it was the best trip of our entire lives. He had an absolute blast and so did we. I will remember it forever. We made a video and I shared it on here a while back, here it is- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMQcu9WFIIw

Don't miss the opportunity to have a wonderful trip with your WHOLE family. We plan to do it again when the little souvenir we brought home turns 2

ADORABLE video! We went for my oldest son's 2nd birthday, too. His name is Lucas, as well Your video made me all teary - my sweet little 2 year old will be 10 in a few months. Enjoy the time - it really goes fast. And congrats on the souvenir!

 

[SmallWorld71]

ADORABLE video! We went for my oldest son's 2nd birthday, too. His name is Lucas, as well Your video made me all teary - my sweet little 2 year old will be 10 in a few months. Enjoy the time - it really goes fast. And congrats on the souvenir!

Had me in tears, too!
Reminded me so much of the trip we took when my "little boy" was 2 - he will be 15 on Sunday!

 

[DSNY4ever]

Aw, thanks I am glad you guys like the video. It makes me tear up too.

It was fun to make (but a lot of work!). But my son LOVES watching it and saying "remember when we saw goofy, remember when I went down the waterside etc." It is amazing what an impact that trip had on him, and I can only imagine what a fun video you could make of your two kids playing together, dancing with characters, eating ice cream cones... There will still be plenty of ways to make it special for your older one. Let him pick a few restaurants, maybe let him do the Pirate league thing or something like that. In the end I think the photos of the two of them together having fun will be priceless.

 

[Nathansmommy]

TAKE YOUR 2 YEAR OLD. We just took DS for his second birthday in September and it was the best trip of our entire lives. He had an absolute blast and so did we. I will remember it forever. We made a video and I shared it on here a while back, here it is- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMQcu9WFIIw

Don't miss the opportunity to have a wonderful trip with your WHOLE family. We plan to do it again when the little souvenir we brought home turns 2

I absolutely loved your video! it makes me even more excited to take DS, he just turned 2 on the 28th!

 

[ilovebassets]

I haven't read the whole thread, but just wanted to give my experiences. I have taken kids at 5 months, 13 month, 21 months, 2.5 yrs, and 3 years. 2.5 was simply awesome. And free! Can't understate that free part!

 

[Fantastic4]

Thank you also for your comment. I didn't even think about that as a possibility. I'm not a military wife but I often think about the same things and if something (God forbid) were to happen to any of us, I know I would regret not taking him forever. Your comment coupled with the video above has fully put me into the "take the 2 year old" category! Now I just need to figure out how to adjust our plans accordingly.

This makes me so happy! I don't know why I connected to this so much but it's been on my mind since you first posted. I'm so happy for your little guy and your whole family! Have a fantastic time!!

 

[cantoine]

I took my DD for her 5th birthday. We took our son for his and we will take both of our other daughters for their 5th. When we went for our DS birthday my DD was 6 months old. We survived and had a blast. When we went for our DD 5th in october it was huge. BBB, Dinner at the castle with a special celebration package. Her sisters 2, and 1 were right along side her the whole time. My DD had a blast, and she had a great experience with her family. All of us. I could never leave my 2 and 1 year old behind simply because of their age and the fact that theu wont remeber or mind. My 5 year old would remember anf would mind if her sisterd were not there to celebrate with her on her birthday.

My babies were free, it cost us nothing to bring them. They saw characters, dressed up in princess outfits. They enjoyed the parades, character meals, a few rides, and the pool so much. And we made some great memories for our family album. They napped in the stroller but so did my 5 year old. And they got cranky just as my DH did. But again we survived and had a blast. And we are even going back in June. Have fun.