Please help- To all those parents that have done it

[averill94]

alone .

I have read in awe many a TR about a parent bring the kids without their spouse- now I might find myself in same situation.

After 6 months of planning our trip which will start 9/30, DH has been called for a promotionary medical- tomorrow! If it goes well his class starts on Monday which means he can't go. Totally bittersweet as he worked hard for this promotion but we want him with us.

It makes me sick to think that he would miss out - our party is me, DD3,DS9 and DM.

Any words of encouragement? I know we will all really miss him- I dont want to be Debbie Downer on this trip.

Thanks for reading.

 

[Cindermommy]

I took my two boys without my husband a few years ago. We had a lot of fun, but it wasn't the same. We emailed and used lots of cell phone minutes keeping in touch. I would do it again if my husband couldn't make it. Go have fun, enjoy, and make some memories with your kids!!

 

[Vickie46]

We did this last year.. my husband went back one day earlier.. that last day was so hard for me.. she was 3 and we went to the halloween party.. its so hard to come back by yourself!

 

[thmar]

Think of this as a special time for you and your kids...it will make a one of the most fond memories. When I was little, my folks couldn't afford to take the whole family out to dinner for a birthday celebration...so they made it a special night...my mother would take the "birthday" boy out for a "special" birthday dinner and my dad would take the "birthday" girl out for her special dinner. They made us feel so special, and we knew it was just for us! We had no idea that it was because we couldn't afford it! If you go with this attitude...you and your children will have a memory to last a lifetime. I know I do, and I'm 53 years old. Buy special postcards so the kids can mail them to your husband. They will enjoy sharing their experiences with him.

 

[Al and Kate's Mom]

I did it - I tend to be, well, overprotective, so I was always terrified I'd lose her Just set down some ground rules for staying together, and you'll have a GREAT time! You might want to have the kids keep a "journal" (even if you have to do the actual writing) to share with their Dad when you return - it'll be great for him, and they'll enjoy reading as they get older!

 

[TaraPA]

I did it - I tend to be, well, overprotective, so I was always terrified I'd lose her Just set down some ground rules for staying together, and you'll have a GREAT time! You might want to have the kids keep a "journal" (even if you have to do the actual writing) to share with their Dad when you return - it'll be great for him, and they'll enjoy reading as they get older!

Most of my WDW trips were alone with the kids - and at one point one DS was only 7 weeks old! (Ok so really, that was the EASIEST trip - he slept in the carrier on my chest all day long!) It CAN be done, and we have wonderful memories of all those trips. Just don't try to stick to a strict plan for the day - as the only adult in charge of 2 kids - well - anything can happen! Try to go with the flow & expect the unexpected. My biggest fear was always that one would be sick, and I'd be stuck in a park/bus/hotel room with one sick child & still have the responsibility of the other one with no other adult help. You have to just say "It is what it is." Take along an activity book or something fun for them to do just in case one gets sick & you have to spend a day in the hotel, or if one is in meltdown mode & you need to go back to the hotel for a few hours to rest. I'm sure by day 2 you will all be in a routine that will make some magical memories for you! Good luck & ENJOY!

 

[TaraPA]

Another tip - when I was alone with both kids after a long day in the park, the best thing was to head back to the resort & order pizza (even the value resorts have this option) - get the kids in the tub & ready for bed & eat in the room. Mine tended to have major meltdowns eating dinner & this made me miserable too. Or even pack something quick you can eat or make in the rooms for dinner - even just cereal & milk worked for us. I can still picture us in a food court at one of the All Stars one night - DS was about 1 in the stroller screaming his head off, the other DS was about 4 or 5 having a meltdown over what we were picking to eat, whining, clining, crying, etc. There was no way I could eat - I couldn't handle the stroller, the other DS's meal and still have any room (or sanity) to get something for myself! I coudn't leave them alone at the table to go back for my meal. I felt like everyone was staring at my screaming banshees, and I was on the verge of tears. I learned after that to not have any high expectations at mealtimes when I was alone with them - some days we lived on snacks here & there rather than actually sitting down to a meal. Hey it's Disney - if you have to live on snacks for a day you're not going to die from it! GO WITH THE FLOW!

 

[Izeesmom]

I am not married so I am use to doing things with just my DS5 and myself, the first time I took him he was 4 but a friend of mine went with me. But then I took him by myself when he was barely 5 and we done just fine. The hard part is the airport, like watching him, making sure he stays with me and handling the bags but other than that I done just fine. Go and enjoy the trip I am sure you will do fine.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

DH often stays home and works while Disney crazed passholder Mama,(thats me!! ) takes DD4 by myself, on a plane to WDW ...8 trips in 4 yrs, DH came once!LOL
Truthfully, I love it!! We just got home!!
Be sure to bring Sharpie markers..I wrote my cell # and hotel name on DD4s back (yes, directly on her skin, not on her clothing) every other day (or when it washed off) if we ever were to get seperated she had my cell# ON HER BODY! (and she knew it was there!)
.Never had any trouble at all...go, relax and enjoy, and good luck to your DH with his big promotion!

 

[averill94]

Wow thank you! This is just what I Needed. I really need to change my whole point of view on the trip! I am buying journals and sharpies today.
Awesome ideas!
One of my fears was DD3 melting down at dinner time but I wll just go with the flow.

My best girlfriend kept telling me " It is what it is" - thats her new personal mantra.

Thanks for all the support guys

 

[Boncho]

My son and I have always gone without my husband (he's not into Disney) and we have always had a great time. A couple of things that I have found make it easier for me are - we have always gone back to the resort in the afternoon for a break in the swimming pool,and we don't stick to regular meals all the time. One day my son was starting to get tired so we stopped and had great big Mickey ice cream sandwiches for supper - he was so tickled that we kept on going for another hour before we went back to the resort for another swim and snack before bed.

 

[eliza61]

alone .

I have read in awe many a TR about a parent bring the kids without their spouse- now I might find myself in same situation.

After 6 months of planning our trip which will start 9/30, DH has been called for a promotionary medical- tomorrow! If it goes well his class starts on Monday which means he can't go. Totally bittersweet as he worked hard for this promotion but we want him with us.

It makes me sick to think that he would miss out - our party is me, DD3,DS9 and DM.

Any words of encouragement? I know we will all really miss him- I dont want to be Debbie Downer on this trip.

Thanks for reading.

It will be different but just as magical. I also took a disney vacation without my DH also because of work. My sons and I had a fabulous time and when we got back we immediately began planning a trip with dad.

 

[thebecka]

Personally, I would love a little 1 on 1 time alone with my DD in the parks. DH isn't as into the whole Disney experience like she and I are... We love to go on the Buzz Lightyear ride again and again and again and again!!! I may try to tweek some alone time with her in February when we go. Maybe DH can walk with BIL & SIL?! I guess time will tell...
Have an awesome trip with the kids. Pace yourself and if you don't see everything then come on back to the park for another trip.
Congratulations to the Hubby!! I hope he gets the promotion!!!

 

[Mountain Fan]

I have taken my DD ( by myself ) to WDW and DLR many times. Do the laminated ID/Info tags, etc...When she got too old to take into the restrooms with me I taught her how to use the 2 way radios that are so popular nowdays and we have carried those (just in case). Practice with them and have call names and passwords so your kid will know it's you.

I would also make check lists of things to take and things we wanted to do for each day as well as maps for her to carry and keep us on task for each day.

If your DS is 9 he would probably enjoy you asking "Ok, what's next?"

Remain flexible.

 

[Sabrina90744]

alone .

I have read in awe many a TR about a parent bring the kids without their spouse- now I might find myself in same situation.

After 6 months of planning our trip which will start 9/30, DH has been called for a promotionary medical- tomorrow! If it goes well his class starts on Monday which means he can't go. Totally bittersweet as he worked hard for this promotion but we want him with us.

It makes me sick to think that he would miss out - our party is me, DD3,DS9 and DM.

Any words of encouragement? I know we will all really miss him- I dont want to be Debbie Downer on this trip.

Thanks for reading.

You will be fine, sure you will miss your husband, but think of it as special time with just you and your kids.

 

[NurseW2Kiddies]

My husband has never gone with us!!!! If I read right, your mother is going Also???? This is exactly what we do!! My mom goes with us and we have a GREAT time!!!!

 

[Robmom]

You'll be fine. I have a friend that won't go alone because she thinks she can't do it. I did it one year with my DD (then 9). We were all supposed to go and my DH's job said he couldn't take off at the last minute. He came for one day and we stayed out late. The other days we just went back to the hotel, had dinner, swam and then went back to the room for the night. I didn't feel comfortable out alone with DD late.

 

[OceanStateKelly]

This trip for us is a girls only one, we have been to Disney so many times that my husband said go with out me (when we fond out I won a trip). So Its me my dd8 my sister her dd14 and my sister inlaw, staying at the compt. and my oldest dd18 and her friend are staying at Pop. Its going to be a blast, can wait. And I'm sure you'll have a blast too.