possible solo trip dilemma

[ebtbmom]

Long story, sorry.

I have been on a weight loss journey since April 22. I have managed to loose 40lbs and only have 15 left to reach my goal! This is relevant because when I hit a 30lb loss I REALLY started loosing my motivation and wanted to stop and be happy where I was. I didn't want to give up on myself so I told myself that if I persevered and lost the rest of my weight that I would reward myself with a solo weekend, which is something I have wanted to do for a while now. I love traveling with DH and DS, but they don't love WDW like I do and I want to take it slow and find cool hidden mickeys and imagineering details, things they would not like to do!

So now that I'm ready to book, DS 12 is acting all upset about me going without him. Before you think I'm a terrible mom, please understand that DS does not love WDW. He is never really excited about our trips, he complains about all of the walking and waking up early, and he has a list a mile long of rides he doesn't like. I'm really confused and never thought he would be upset about me going down a few days alone. I'm only doing 3 nights (1/28-1/31) and we are returning as a family Oct 2011 for an 8 night trip.

What should I do? I'm afraid I won't be able to relax and have a good time if I'm worried about him being home sad. But he is getting to go next year, and I'll only be there 3 nights. KIDS!

 

[KinziePooh]

First of all, congratulations on the weight loss! What better way to reward yourself than with a trip to WDW?! As for your son, why not put a positive spin on it. Instead of focusing on you going away, how about shifting the focus to your son and husband having a guys only weekend. That way you get to reward yourself without worrying so much about leaving your DS behind. Your DS will now have that weekend to look forward to in addition to your WDW trip next October.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Congrats for loosing the weight!!! I think it is great that you are taking a solo trip to celebrate! You worked hard and deserve a celebration!

I am a teacher and having taught many ages I think it is good that you are taking this trip. It is good for your son to see that you worked hard at something and are going to celebrate the achievement by doing something you enjoy! That is a good model. May be your son can enjoy planning something special that he would like to do - have something to look forward to but definitely don't change your plans - in my opinion that would be a wrong lesson to teach.

Anyway - that is my two cents for what it is worth. Teens tend to think the world revolves around them - it is good for them to get out of that mentality every now and again - that is a valuable lesson. Hey may be he can even help you plan your solo trip - let him be part of the planning and offer his advice (?) - of course not knowing your son this may not be his thing but if you can include him somehow it might help.

Have a great trip!!

 

[DMass]

You go and have a good time. Your son will get over it.

 

[nurse.darcy]

I am with Expat. I have been on several solo trips without my son. My son will be 18 in December and is well rounded, well traveled (in the US) and a polite and proper human being. He doesn't whine when I go somewhere and isn't afraid to offer me advice. He has learned to be strong and independent and has only given me grief with regards to his grades (finally having a good year).

Not giving in to Brandon's "whine's" when he was younger turned him into a strong and independent human being who makes good choices and makes me proud to be his mother every day.

Go for your trip. Promise no more than a small token of the vacation but lots of pictures to help him realize why you needed the trip. He will get it. My son currently says a happy mom is a good mom. Lucky me.

 

[ebtbmom]

Thanks for the reassurances! I felt like he would survive, and DH was encouraging me to go for it, but it's nice to hear from other moms that he'll be OK.

Now I just have to get busy and get off my last 15lbs so I'll feel like I really earned it.