Should I be worried???

[JRTINKERBELL]

I just booked a 4day wonder for Jan 11, 2004. I'm a 28 year old single mom with an 8 year old daughter. We've done the cruise before, but with extended family. Should I be worried its just the two of us.

My DD sometimes is shy, I'm hoping to get some time in the spa. She didn't do the lab last time, are there alot of children their that have a hard time of warming up?

Also, have you seen many other single parents on board?

Thanks!!

 

[MFan]

Sorry, I can't help you on the question of single parents; but, here is what I'd suggest to help your daughter:

Find the thread (or start one) for your cruise date, then ask if others have daughters of similar age/interests/disposition as yours. Then, have them start an email penpal relationship. So, by cruise day, she'll already have friends onboard, and your problem will then be how to find time to be alone with her....

 

[TootyJane]

Don't be worried. I'm sure both of you will have a great time even if it's just the two of you. As far as your dd being shy I think the best suggestion posted here on the board was to take your child to the club on the first night and spend time with her there. The first night usually is when friendships form and you being with her might help her to open up. HTH.

 

[floridaminnie]

THere are other single parents onboard. I have a 3 yr old DD, whose very outgoing (even though she "acts" shy sometimes ), so leaving her in the club is no problem. I would do what the other Disers suggested, going to the club the first night, finding someone else on the ship before hand. Might even want to link your ressies to eat together for dinner. I know I enjoy the peace and quiet that I get when DD is in the club. I don't get that very often!

 

[ZebraStripes]

My DD7 is extremely shy and takes her weeks to warm up to a new situation. Our first cruise she did the club once, age 5. The second cruise she was 7 and didn't want anything to do with the place. We signed her up just in case. Next year, I'm signing her up with the hopes that my DH and I can go to Palo (which I have never been to). Don't know if it will work though. I'm hoping that switching age groups to the Lab will be more enticing for her. If she doesn't go, well, its more time I get to spend with her doing things and building memories. I also agree with TootyJane, going with DD in the beginning could help. I've tried that type of tactic before with some success. Good Luck!

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Hi JRTINKERBELL.

have you seen many other single parents on board?

Yes, every time I look in the mirror...

Perhaps you can find other singles as there is a "traveling alone" meet-and-greet listed in the Navigator the first day of the cruise. I didn't look for any singles since our trip was a family vacation and even though we are a small family (DS9, DM65+ and I) the integral word is "family." Our table mates proved to be most wonderful people and quite entertaining. One family of 3 ended up joining us for a couple of shore excursions as they liked what we had scheduled over their own plans. lol.

Should I be worried its just the two of us.

Not in the least. It is a great age (your daughters. Well, so is yours for that matter - now watch what follows from our fellow Disers).

She didn't do the lab last time, are there alot of children their that have a hard time of warming up?

My son didn't care for a lot of the Oceaneers Lab activities, but I didn't have a problem with that in the least. There are so many family things to do! Still, he did make friends at the Lab as well as with the two boys at our table (well one boy, one hellcat). At night he played in the Lab while I went to some of the adult venues. Although alone, I never felt out-of-place. The CMs do a terrific job making everyone feel comfortable.

You'll have a blast on the cruise...