Oh the guilt!

[PSULion]

Just got back a few days ago from a trip with our boys, ages 5 and 2. I CANNOT imagine being there without my 2 yr old. He LOVED it. Really, at times, he was way more fun than the 5 yr old. It wasn't always easy or perfect, but the awe and wonder he showed constantly made it all worthwhile.

 

[Tylerandhayleysmom]

Our family (Tyler - 6.5 years old and Hayley 2.5 years old) just took our first trip to WDW the week of Thanksgiving 2013 and cannot fathom going without our Hayley who was 2.5 years old at the time. As a matter of fact she made all of us have more fun! Her big brother Tyler simply adhores her and wouldn't let us leave without her anyway. From them experiencing their first plane ride together till their first Princess experience when we had lunch at Cinderella's Royale Table. We had a blast and Hayley still remembers all her princess experiences. She absolutely lit up when she was hugged by Ariel, her favorite princess of all. Who cares if she remembers this when she's 25...What matters most is that very MOMENT for her. She loved it and still talks about wanting to go back till this day. In life sometimes things happen so ENJOY your children in EVERY MOMENT no matter what!!! I've attached a link to a photo book I created of our family first trip which includes my ever so awesome 2 year old daughter Hayley! Have fun with your children with reckless abandon!!! LOL..Life is too short...Let them enjoy MOMENTS and worry about if they remember later. Okay, stepping off my soap bo, but follow your heart sweetie and most of all ENJOY your trip

Gina (our family's Disney Trip photo book below)

 

[ashleymrush]

It's officially done! Jackson (my youngest DS) is now added to all of our reservations and will be coming with us to WDW in June! I know I made the right decision and I want to thank everyone who gave their input. This thread really helped when my DH and I were making this decision and finalizing our plans. Only 127 days to go!

 

[seven dwarfs]

Can someone tell me if I'm crazy or if I should listen to my guilt?! My DH and I are taking my first born DS to WDW for his 5th birthday in June. I have another DS that will be 3 weeks away from turning 2 when we go. I have been planning since before my first son was born to take him for his 5th birthday. We plan to do the same for our 2nd when he turns 5 as well. I have always just felt that 5 was the perfect age. With that said, 2 is not the perfect age IMO. We have always planned for our youngest to stay with Grandma (which she is more than happy to do) while we take our oldest. That way the trip can really be about our oldest and we won't have to deal with the tantrums and crazy schedule of a 2 year old in WDW in June. As the time gets closer though, my guilt is beginning to grow. We were watching a WDW video earlier and he just kept laughing and smiling everytime a character would come on the screen which was not helping the guilt. So in conclusion, should he stay or should he go? Anyone else only taken some children and left another at home? Any thoughts welcome.

I left our youngest home one time. It was the worst mistake. I regretted it soon into the trip. It still bothers me if I think about it. I would/will never do it again. Six months after leaving her home, we went again with all of us and it was awesome.

 

[jennyjinx3]

It's officially done! Jackson (my youngest DS) is now added to all of our reservations and will be coming with us to WDW in June! I know I made the right decision and I want to thank everyone who gave their input. This thread really helped when my DH and I were making this decision and finalizing our plans. Only 127 days to go!

Happy for you all! Have a wonderful time planning now!

 

[tms295psu]

I've posted earlier that I would definitely take both....

I know I couldn't leave one child behind. But I also spend nearly all my free/not at work time with my kids. Maybe overboard but I enjoy having them around even if it makes my days or chores more chaotic. It's just what works for our family dynamic.

A friend of ours (they do love their children dearly) have a different parenting style and they enjoy breaks from their kids... Take personal days and leave the kids at daycare to catch a movie and lunch alone. Leave older kids in full time daycare (7 am - 5pm) while home on maternity leave. And leave youngest at daycare for amusement park days out with older kids.

Do what works for u...

 

[bbak3030]

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.

This scenario is something I think about every day. A few years ago a friend of mine lost her 2 and 3 year old children in a house fire. I'm sure she had a list a mile long of things she intended to do with them. So I personally think about the "what if" every single day.
Glad to hear that you added your son. I'm sure it will be a wonderful and magical trip!

 

[Crystal824]

While he may slow you down a bit, I think you made the right decision. We are considering a trip in Dec. We will have a roughly 6 mo. old at that time, there is no way I would leave her at home. We have taken our older daughter at 9mo, 21 mo., 2, and 2 1/2. Those were all great trips. While leaving younger children at home works for some, I just know if wouldn't for me.