OT - Leaving kids alone at hotel?

[sunnyday123]

Thanks for the replies. I think the idea of the pool is definitely out.

I am supposed to be getting a nice room because of my position with the conference. It is supposed to be an ocean view suite so leaving the kids in the room would not be like confining them to just a bedroom. I think between watching TV, reading, playing with their DS they could occupy themselves for the time I would be gone. I could just put the do not disturb sign out to stop the maid from coming in and tell them to lock the door and only open it for me. I was also thinking of maybe buying a movie for them. They would really like that.

I will look into whether the hotel can help with getting them over to the kids club.

what if there's a fire? What if one of them does something stupid and hurts themselves badly, and the other one panics and doesn't know what to do? What if there's some ticked off worker there who goes on a rampage?

These are all obviously over the top 1 in a million shots, but would you risk your kids? Is there any way you can bring someone to watch them for those 4 days?

 

[momx2]

No to the pool, but I think you have already ruled that out. I would let them stay in the room though. I have 2 DDs, 11 and 8, now and I would let the 11 year old watch them for the 4 hours. You are in the same building, so you could probably find time to check on them once or twice during a break. My girls would love sleeping in and watching TV. I would probably not allow them on the balcony, just because I have a fear of balconies with my 8 year old (she just scares me out there for some reason). I would set them up some food or make sure they know where it is. Tell them both that the 11 year old was in charge, so what she says goes. When I do that my 8 year old listens to her and knows I mean business. My 11 year old also has a phone and trust me, she would text me in a second if there was a problem. You just got to know your kids. I think they will be fine.

 

[momx2]

what if there's a fire? What if one of them does something stupid and hurts themselves badly, and the other one panics and doesn't know what to do? What if there's some ticked off worker there who goes on a rampage?

These are all obviously over the top 1 in a million shots, but would you risk your kids? Is there any way you can bring someone to watch them for those 4 days?

IMO, everything you listed is a danger whether an adult is watching them or an 11 year old. I think it really depends on the 11 year old. I know some that can't be trusted or would panic, not mature, etc. My 8 year old might not be mature enough at 11 to do this, but my older DD is. She already has been a mothers helper for 2 years, is very mature and takes watching younger ones, including her sister, very seriously. She is normally overly bossy to my 8year old, but not when it's official. She is very professional acting with her and other younger kids. Now when the parents are around, all bets are off and she is just a mean, bossy older sister.

 

[sk!mom]

No, I would not leave them alone. Except maybe for the hour from 8-9. Most meetings have breaks. I would take a break at 9 and run them to the kids club.

 

[dbmarie]

I have 11 and 8 year old girls. Personally I wouldn't leave them alone I don't think they are mature enough at that age.

 

[suzcruz]

i don't think an 11 year old needs a babysitter in a hotel room during these hours. let them order room service breakfast and watch tv. i also do not have a problem with the pool depending upon how responsible they are, whether they have a cell phone, and their swimming ability. i agree with PP who said you should get a resort employee to take your kids to the kids club, if you decide to do that for one of the days.

 

[ndgqccmiller]

You know your children. My older kids are 9 and 12 and I would leave them. First of all my kids love the chance to sleep in. So if you leave your room at ten till 8 they will most likely be asleep till 9 or 9:30. When they get up, have easy breakfast stuff for them in the room. Yogurt, bananas, pop tarts, etc. They can eat and then bring their summer reading or ipods, ds. Then let them know when you are done at 12you will do fun stuff so they have stuff to look forward to the next day.
I would go over the rules with the kids the night before and even write down the rules and a schedule so they know when you will be back.
Basic rules
Do not leave room unless they are contacted by you
lock the hotel room door
call you in case of an emergancy
do not open the door for anyone

Very basic. I trust my kids and if they know there is something fun to look forward to it they would love it!

 

[AuroraBeauty]

I just found out that most states have a minimum age at which children can be left 'home' alone legally. If a child under this minimum age is at home alone during certain hours for longer than the stated legal time and something happens, the parents can be subject to criminal prosecution.

Great! As if being a parent isn't hard enough. Sure, no one in their right mind would think to leave a 5-year old home alone but maybe a 10 year old? I don't think FL has a legal age limit. But I've seen 7 & 8 year old kids roaming the Parks on their own, which just freaks me out!



As to the PP going to the conference where child care options begin AFTER the conference starts and it's on the other end of the resort, I hear you on the annoyance. I think it's in the manual for these things b/c I've been to quite a few and it's always this same scenario.

 

[jrt1176]

If it's a WDW hotel on property that has room service, etc. then I would.

You're 11 year old is probably capable of watching the other child, but only you know that for sure.

Let them sleep in and get breakfast or lunch from room service. Housekeeping can make up the room after you leave for the park.

 

[allyphoe]

I just found out that most states have a minimum age at which children can be left 'home' alone legally.

Got a cite? Going by http://www.latchkey-kids.com/latchkey-kids-age-limits.htm, I count 4 (one of which only applies to kids left alone "for an unreasonable period of time"), which wouldn't meet my definition of "most." Another 9 have a "recommended" age, but even if you count them, we're still not up to "most."

 

[Kallista]

This is not about a Disney hotel. I am going to a business conference for two days next week and due to child care issues and dh's schedule, I will be bringing my two kids (dd11 and ds8) with me. This is a fancy resort type hotel. I knew there was a kids club at the resort where the conference was so I figured I could just sign the kids up for that. The meetings are only run 8-12 so that is all I needed coverage for.

Well I have just learned that the kids program doesn't start until 9, and to make it worse, the kids club is located at the far end of the resort from the meetings. This is a big place (there is a golf course in the middle) and the staff told me that they would recommend driving - it is too far to walk. Now this means the kids sit outside the meeting room for an hour, then I leave the room we go to the car, drive to the other side of the resort to drop them off, and then drive back to my meeting. It sounds like a very unsatisfactory set up. Also, I am vice chair of this conference which means I will have to disappear from my position at the front of the room for the time its takes me to run them over. And I get to pay $50/day per kid to do this.

So I am considering letting them mind themselves for the four hours I am in the meeting. Our hotel room will be in the same building as the meeting room so I will be right downstairs if they need me. My kids are well behaved and pretty responsible and dd is 11. Both kids are good swimmers so I am also considering telling them its OK to go to the pool and swim as long as there is a life guard there.

So do you guys think I'm nuts. Should I just do the kids program despite the inconvenience?

Is there an in-room babysitting service available? Most high-end hotels that I've stayed with can recommend a service. That would solve your problem. At WDW, the in-room service is cheaper than the kids' club for two kids.

I've used Kids' Night Out in Orlando and they were great. They do morning gigs. I checked with them for babysitting for the Princess Half-Marathon.

 

[dawnball]

Got a cite? Going by http://www.latchkey-kids.com/latchkey-kids-age-limits.htm, I count 4 (one of which only applies to kids left alone "for an unreasonable period of time"), which wouldn't meet my definition of "most." Another 9 have a "recommended" age, but even if you count them, we're still not up to "most."

NC is on that list as "none" - but the state mandated minimum age is actually 8. It's just not done by the department of health and human services, but rather part of the fire code.