Parents of teens - a question

[MrsDude]

If DH and I wanted to go out for a romantic evening alone, what should we do with DS (14)? DD (4) will likely be at one of the kids clubs at one of the resorts.

 

[Forevryoung]

Ok, I am not a parent but I wasnt a teen too long ago.

It depends on the maturity of your 14 year old. Can you trust him to hang out in the game room or hotel room? Tell him that he can stay within certain boundaries (make sure he knows how to get back to the room) and that he has a certain time he has to be back in the room (you can call the room to check up on him). If both you and your husband have a cell phone maybe give him one.

I think my parents would have been ok letting me roam for 3 hours or so as long as they knew they could get in touch with me and that I wasnt going to be out late. Then again, by the time I was 14 I had already been babysitting for 2 years.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

My son is almost 13. I really would not be comfortable with his roaming alone at 14 ; with another 14 year old, yes. I would be fine with his staying in the room alone. Get him a pizza or whatever before you leave and of course you would both have cell phones. Review safety rules and his rules about leaving the room. I am pretty provective so I would have dinner in the resort where you are staying if possible.

Jordan's mom

 

[tjmw2727]

Thinking about my godson who is 14 and I know very well, roaming would not be an option, your son may be a different story however.

If you are going to PI then maybe have him spend the night at DQ with a cellphone and instructions - if you trust him to have good judgement and follow your instructions. We did this with my godson and a friends son while dh and I roamed a little and went to one comedy show. I don't know if they would have had as much fun alone however. FWIW they LOVED the magic shop fairly close to DQ and spent about an hour watching the salesman doing tricks. anyway...

The other thing I would consider is having him buy a movie on tv and order in food so he can hang in the room. I would probably only do this if dh and I were having dinner at the resort or very close by. Even a 14yo out of his element can get spooked a bit if not used to being alone. Imagine if houskeeing should knock or a stranger gets the rooms mixed up and tries a key to enter, your son may want to give you a call so a cellphone at least for you would also be a must.

Again - my girls are not even close to be considering this so I am basing my opinion on friends kids whom I am very close with.

To bad their isn't a teen club or some alternative for older kids who don't want to be alone when mom/dad want a bit of time.

TJ

 

[fran99999]

I have gone to Disney with my DD16 and her friend. I felt comfortable letting them go to the parks together and to the gameroom together. I would not have felt comfortable letting one go without the other. I know it is Disney... but even Disney doesnt have 24 hour security just for my kids. Why would "those" people we try to protect our kids from not find Disney enticing.

That being said I would feel safer leaving my 14 year old alone in the room for a few hours, if he/she was used to being home alone. My DD16 babysits for my DS6 at home. I would just make sure he/she knows to stay in the room or go to/call the guest services desk if there is a problem. Oh and remind them to NOT throw the latch on the door, lock it by all means. My DD threw the lock on their door and I had to go in through the adjourning room/mine to get in to see they were fast asleep. LOL

 

[disneychrista]

I would allow my 14yo to stay IN the room alone but I would NOT let her go anywhere or be anywhere else alone.

 

[JLTraveling]

Not a parent yet, but based on my own experiences growing up... I think a 14 yo would be fine roaming alone. Only you know your son's maturity level, but Disney really is pretty safe. Just make sure he knows the basic ground rules -- no taking off with strangers, call you if there are any problems or he feels uncomfortable with anything -- and send him to DQ for the evening. If you both have cell phones, you can call him periodically to check in, but he really should be fine. When I ran a Rocky Horror Picture Show cast a few years ago, our youngest cast members were 13 and 14...their parents signed waivers for them to do the show, then sent them off to have fun. No worries.

 

[newholidayx2]

Im sure there will be times this Aug when DS13 will stay in the room while I take walks around WDW. He may choose to stay in the room one of the days Im touring the countries.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I would allow my 14yo to stay IN the room alone but I would NOT let her go anywhere or be anywhere else alone.

Yeah, what she said!

 

[pattyT]

Depends on the kids again!
Do you have a cell phone to give him/her??

How far is the restraunt you are planning to eat at FROM the resort??
What resort?? I know that SHOULDN'T make a difference but to me it would - At POFQ I wouldn't want her wandering around outside but at the WL I would probably be ok with her heading down to the arcade when she is that age! Just because it is a smaller resort, she wouldn't leave the building to get to it, etc...

Really it is YOUR decision and I am sure it will be a good one!

 

[MrsDude]

We will be staying at CBR - I think I will give DS a choice of either DQ or the arcade at CBR. He will also have a cellphone, as will we. I really wish we could afford to take one of his friends along, so they could buddy up. I also wish there were some sort of teen coffeehouse at Disney (like there is on the cruises), that he could hang out at.

 

[geffric]

when are you going? Maybe there is another DIS family( or two) with a DS about the same age that would want to play at the arcade or DQ with him? I am very confortable with my DS who is 14 being in the room alone watching TV. But not at all comfortable with him wandering around the resort alone.

 

[twojo21]

when i was a teenager (years ago) at wdw with my family i was allowed to stay in the room with my brother, go swimming at the pool & the resort arcade. i was 16 when i was able to go off on my own to the themeparks. but each child is different, at 14 i might not have felt comfortable all by myself in the parks without mom, dad, brother, etc.

 

[MrsDude]

when are you going? Maybe there is another DIS family( or two) with a DS about the same age that would want to play at the arcade or DQ with him? I am very confortable with my DS who is 14 being in the room alone watching TV. But not at all comfortable with him wandering around the resort alone.

Our dates (tentatively) are 10/15-10/23

 

[loadsapixiedust]

We have exactly the same problem. My kids will be 13 and 15 and the younger one has special needs. DH and I would love to have an evening at one of the over 21 clubs, but would not be comfortable leaving our kids alone. I so wish Disney could have some sort of supervised clubhouse for teens where you could call to check on them and they could meet other teens.

 

[PatsGirl]

I noticed that a few people mentioned letting him go to DQ by himself. I consider myself quite lenient with my 15-year old but this is not something I would do. Downtown Disney is open to the public as is DQ. DQ is huge, I think three or four floors of video games, etc. and filled to the brim with tweens, teens, and young twenties. On the other hand, I think I would give him an hour or two at the resort to "hang", maybe arcade or snackbar by the pool, he might even meet a friend or two, and then have him go back to the room and call in. Just my 2 cents, but of course, you asked for it, lol

 

[dtsaos]

I noticed that a few people mentioned letting him go to DQ by himself. I consider myself quite lenient with my 15-year old but this is not something I would do. Downtown Disney is open to the public as is DQ. DQ is huge, I think three or four floors of video games, etc. and filled to the brim with tweens, teens, and young twenties. On the other hand, I think I would give him an hour or two at the resort to "hang", maybe arcade or snackbar by the pool, he might even meet a friend or two, and then have him go back to the room and call in. Just my 2 cents, but of course, you asked for it, lol

Well said! That's exactly how I would feel.

 

[MrsDude]

I noticed that a few people mentioned letting him go to DQ by himself. I consider myself quite lenient with my 15-year old but this is not something I would do. Downtown Disney is open to the public as is DQ. DQ is huge, I think three or four floors of video games, etc. and filled to the brim with tweens, teens, and young twenties. On the other hand, I think I would give him an hour or two at the resort to "hang", maybe arcade or snackbar by the pool, he might even meet a friend or two, and then have him go back to the room and call in. Just my 2 cents, but of course, you asked for it, lol

Yup, I asked for it, and I do appreciate your input. Since there is a video arcade at the resort, I may just have him stay there. He will have a cell phone, as will we, so we will be able to keep in touch that way.

 

[eeyore45]

Our dates (tentatively) are 10/15-10/23

There is a whole thread on Themes board on going in October - here's a link to the last page...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=744893&page=81&pp=15

MommyBoo has made a spreadsheet of all of us that have posted our dates, and places we're staying...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=744893&page=80&pp=15

she keeps updating when anyone posts new info... I dont see anyone at CBR at that time... one is leaving Oct 15, one leaving 16th, but you could always post the same question in that thread!!!

FWIW, I wouldnt feel comfortable with my son out alone, but we're great believers in the "buddy system" if there is any trouble, medical or otherwise, there is someone else to help! In the room, probably, and I'm not naive to believe my 14 yr son woulnt take 'just a little' walk out to 'check out' the videw systems.... Its so hard to be a parent!!

 

[pinkdiamonds1007]

I think that 14 is too young to be wandering around alone. Maybe if he is really responsiable would I let him stay in the room alone. But that really would make me nervous as well. Do they have the Pirate Cruise at night? Maybe he could do that with your 4 yo while you and hubby are enjoying dinner, so that you know he is under proper supervison???

I am an obbsessive worrier though..so if you feel confident about letting him wander..by all means mother knows best.
Have a fun trip!
NICOLE