Should I or Shouldn't I? Major dilemma!! Long Story.

[wilderness01]

Oh the guilt from your posts make me sad. Don't get me wrong, I understand, but you have so many postives you need to focus on so stop feeling so guilty. Your husband is in favor of you taking your 6 year old and then at a later date taking your younger son. How lucky is that?

My husband was the same way. Actually I just got back from a mommy and son trip this week. I take them each separately when they are 8. It was WONDERFUL. We go on family trips as well and we all just were there last year and every year since 2001. My other kids are a little envious when it is not their turn, but it doesn't damage them or make them so sad for long. They look forward to their individual trips so they don't think it is so bad when it is the other guys turn.

My son was just beaming and so happy for the one on one time. He was a little doll. Actually it was so nice to just have him, just like it was so nice to just have my others. We did exactly what he wanted and he was thrilled.

Believe me I saw numerous meltdowns and thought to myself "glad that isn't me." I have been there, done that. When he would hear crying or screaming he would just look at me and cover his ears saying "oh that crying is bugging me!" It wasn't bugging me, but for some reason it bugged him.

If you think your son would have melt downs, I say leave him at home when he can enjoy it more. As you know WDW is overstimulating and to a 2 year old it can either be so magical or a nightmare. I actually felt sorry for my kids when they would act like that when they were young as it wasn't their normal behavior. Thank God my husband was there to help me out or it would have been worse.

The PP&P party was fun, but it was a very long day and too late at night for real little ones. It's not like your son has never been there and won't go again.

I know the majority of people on this board say take them both, but I just wouldn't because they are both young and out number you. Many people asked if it was just my son and I. Thank God it wasn't anything tragic as to why it was just us or feelings could have been hurt. When I said that I take them each alone for a gift when they are 8 EVERY ONE of the people we met thought that was a great idea.

Go, have a great time, and look forward to when you can take your other little one alone. You will have a magical time. Now stop feeling so guilty!

 

[DevilDuckie]

While I am normally an advocate of taking all the kids, in this case the deciding factor for me would be the tantrums. I would not take any kid who is in a tantrum phase to Disney. If the 2 year old is likely to spoil the trip for DS6, you and the people around you leave him home until he has outgrown this sort of behavior. You are working hard to make this trip happen and it would be a shame to have it not be wonderful. While it isn't his fault he's currently a PITA, maybe this should be your vacation from it!

I would also speak to the 6 year old and explain that while it is very exciting for him planning discussions should happen *away* from his little brother- maybe in the evening after the baby goes to bed? Then it is special time just for him and you don't get more drama from the little guy over being left home.

I hope yout DH is feeling better and having an easier time emotionally. Sounds like he's had a rough time of it lately. He has my sympathies. (You probably have my DH's sympathies for putting up with it! My DH is a saint, but I know my depressive cycles are hard on him.)

 

[ksumn1]

I think I would take the 6 yr old and leave the 2 year old at home. Here's why

1. You have a trip planned for the entire family soon after this trip. A 2 yr old's sense of time is warped, so just focus on trip #2 and you and DS 6 plan the trip as a "covert" operation. Your 2 year old will notice you're gone, so let him do something fun with Dad like camping ora trip to Chuck E Cheese.

2. You get to spend quality time with you 6 year old and gear the trip toward him. You've already said that you'll take the 2 year old when he gets older, so youhave that to look forward to. Meanwhile, no tantrums and a great time for you and your 6 year old

3. You're prepaid. Simply cancel off the 13 yr old and use that $$ toward your next trip. Do the Pirates part then if it's opfferd, or some other specail event to assauge your guilt.

4. I know your DH has been stresssed, but so have you. Go to WDW, have fun. Relax a little. You deserve it.

Have a great trip!!!!

 

[JulieEck]

No height restriction rides (which are his faves) at all.

I did a "what if" conversation for a hypothetical 2009 trip with my DS06 and asked him about going. He wanted us all 5 to go. My DH and DS13 explained that they wouldn't want to go. He said he wanted DS02 to go. I explained that it would be a family rides/shows only trip and he was less than enthusiastic.

You're right. They are two very different vacations. Until my husband suggested otherwise, I was geared for a slow vacation with mid-day breaks/naps and time-outs for tantrums. How fair is this for DS06? What have I gotten myself into?

From the above, it sounds like the 6yo would have a less than enjoyable time if the 2yo went along as well. I really like the idea everyone has about a special one on one trip with your 6yo. Especially since he is such a Disney Nut!

If I opted to not take my DS02 now. I would definitely take my DS02 for a mommy & me trip when he is older. It is only fair. Although, I wasn't financially able to do the same for my DS13 when he was younger. Oh, the guilt! and now he is too cool for Disney.

You can do a Mommy and me trip now for DS6, a Mommy and me trip later for DS2, and a Mommy and me trip at some point for DS13 to someplace he'd like to go (non-Disney). I don't think the 13yo would mind that.

P&PP is perhaps what makes me feel the most guilty. I purchased tickets for the P&PP for April 1st because my DS02 thinks he is a pirate. He was Captain Hook for Halloween. He had a pirate themed birthday party. He plays with pirate toys and says, "Aargh, I'm a pirate" constantly. He would LOVE that party. DS06 watches the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, but he could take it or leave it.

Didn't you say the 2yo crashes about 7-7:30? He may end up sleeping the whole time of the party! Can you get the tickets refunded? I would just do that and plan to do the party when you all go in September. I think they have them then too, but I'm not certain.

Good luck with making a decision! I'm sure it's not an easy one...

 

[everylastbreath]

I would def. take the 2year old, couldn't imagine leaving him behind especially since he would know where you were going with your 6year old. that would be cruel. Yeah, 2 year olds are unpredictable, but the reaction of a 2 year old watching the fireworks is priceless, couldn't imagine trading that in for the risk of a trantrum. Take him, go slow, Enjoy your trip.

 

[wilderness01]

Didn't you say the 2yo crashes about 7-7:30? He may end up sleeping the whole time of the party! Can you get the tickets refunded? I would just do that and plan to do the party when you all go in September. I think they have them then too, but I'm not certain.

Good luck with making a decision! I'm sure it's not an easy one...

No they are nonrefundable.

 

[CRdisMom]

I understand why you would want to leave the little one home. I too am contemplating leaving my 15 mo home. I figure as long as there is something special for her to do she'll never be the wiser. (she is going to spend the week at grandma's cabin in Brainerd).

Just make sure DH has help while you are away. Have someone come over and give him a night off so when you come home he won't be exhausted.

 

[justhat]

Didn't you say the 2yo crashes about 7-7:30? He may end up sleeping the whole time of the party! Can you get the tickets refunded? I would just do that and plan to do the party when you all go in September. I think they have them then too, but I'm not certain.

Good luck with making a decision! I'm sure it's not an easy one...

I think I said that about my son in the post the OP quoted. I don't think her own son goes to bed then.

OP, I missed that you're going in September wiht your 2yo. In that case, I think I'd make this just the 6yo as long as you know everyone will be okay with the idea of taking just the little one 4 years from now (or whenever). That was my biggest concern, that if we took my daughter for a solo trip at 4yo, then we'd have to do that for my son. But no way would my daughter happy at all to stay home at 6.5yo while her brother goes to WDW.