preparing the children

[drcmk]

Hello,

I'd like to do what I can ahead of time to make sure my kids aren't the ones whining, complaining and nagging during our upcoming vacation. In pursuit of this, I have already started to prepare them about what to expect. I have some very basic ground rules (e.g. If I have to throw away most of your uneaten meals, I will not buy snacks) and I've been reminding them about making compromises--that in order to get a turn to do what they like, they have to let everyone else have a turn to do their favorite things. My kids are 5 & 7 years old. What other suggestions can you make about "setting the stage" for our vacation to prevent meltdowns? Thank you.

 

[Memaw2Wm]

Be flexible!!!

When the kids hit their limit be ready to leave the park ... last summer my grandson (8) "hit the wall" by 2PM each day. We'd leave the parks, head back to FW and he'd go swimming for an hour or so, then if we felt like it we would go back to MK or MGM for a bit before they closed (6 and 7 most days).

On the other hand his younger sister (6½) was perfectly happy to stay at the parks with her mom most days from opening to closing.

I also asked them which 2-3 attractions were on their "must-do" list each day and told them that we would do these, but not in any particular order.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

I think that the best rule I know of is no one is allowed to whine. If any one has a problem they will tell everone about it and we will do what ever we need to do to fix that problem. Sometimes that might be a snack, or a rest break or calling it a day. When anyone is tired, we all stop until that person is rested. We also relax other rules like eating all your dinner or bed times. Keep everyone rested, hydrated and feed and you will be fine.



Jordan's mom

 

[KathyFP]

We do a lot of talking, loving at books and web sites (DD is 5). We plan out our basic schedule of parks.

We allow her to pick which park she would like to go to first. She highlights her fav rides/shows.

Throughout the time at the parks we talk and discus what we are going to do. She has learned to compromise and work together as a family.

If it was up to her, she would stay on ToT the whole trip.

 

[KathyFP]

It is also a wonderful way for her to learn to prioritize. Whe she makes a suggestion, we go through the feesability and consequences of that choice. She has learned that she has to make some decisions and can't do everything she wants in the way that she wants.

I really believe that Disney is a golden oppurtunity to enhance coping, social and problem solving skills.