Should I take my infant with us, or leave her at home with grandma???

[HappyLawyer]

That is a tough decision i would not take an infant but i also would not want to leave my child behind either.

 

[dsneygirl]

We took our 3 month old last month and had a blast! He just happily slept in his stroller every afternoon. No rushing back and forth to the hotel. Also if you and baby need a break you can chill at the Baby Care Centre and dad gets some one on one time with other kids (or vice versa).

I know I could not leave my DS for a week at this point. Also we saw lots and lots of young babies so the argument that other guests would be bothered by babies is silly. A baby is a lot quieter than a 2 year old having a tantrum

 

[Kae]

That is a tough decision i would not take an infant but i also would not want to leave my child behind either.

Very true. We left(horrible word)DD with the grandparents when she was 1 & took DS he was 4. We made the trip all about him. Had a blast. We knew the past year had been all about DD.

Kae

 

[thirtycats]

I think no matter what your baby will be fine....with you or with grandparents.

I can imagine you having a wonderful time WITH your baby at Disney World. It will be challenging, but still magical. You won't have to worry about missing your baby. Baby will be right with you.

I can also imagine you having a wonderful time without the baby. Getting a break. Getting to spend more time with your other kids. And baby will have a nice time with the grandparents.

I think, in your heart, you know what the best choice will be. I think you came here for validation. But you're not going to get it. You're going to get two opposing viewpoints.

Listen to your own heart. Listen to your family. The answer that comes to you....this is the right one.

Every family is different. Every family has different needs. You know your family the best.

Good luck to you. And have a wonderful vacation....no matter what your choice!!!

 

[cincy]

We have gone when our kids were very small and given the chance I would do it all again. To see Disney in their eyes for the first time was worth it.

 

[Monkeyfeet]

Well since you said that you can't bring grandma with you, then I would definitley bring her! She won't understand where her family is if you go without her and you all will miss her so much!

Also, it could really hurt your breastfeeding relationship. She may not wnt to continue once you get back home and it is so important for her to continue to. Plus, it will be a pain to have to keep going back to your resort to pump all day.

 

[las3888]

I know alot of people may not have done this, but we went away when DS was only 3 months for our anniversary to WDW. I think we only stayed 3 nights, maybe 4 tops. My MIL watched our DS and they really bonded. She doesn't live around here so it was a nice time for them. I would do it now because now that my son is 20 months, Grandma can't keep up with him...therefore, no more getaways for us!

I know our situation is not exactly the same as yours with the other children, but it was a brief moment in time where we re-lived what it was like before DS. It isn't permanent and doesn't mean the world will come to an end or anything!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I didn't read through the whole thread so forgive me if I repeat something. I would not leave my child home. At 6months my children would have been miserable being separated from me for that long. I also would be miserable without them. My kids have plenty of time with Grandma and Grandpa so it's not like they don't spend any time with them. They just would miss us too much and it would not be a fun week for anyone. You also mentioned that it was the first trip for the kids. In my opinion especially that it is the first trip for all of them they should all be there. If it is a family trip then the whole family should be there. JMHO.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

For us, family trips are family trips. Everyone goes. Even if she doesn't remember it now, she'll see the pictures someday.

Every family is different. Some of my neighbors rarely take any of their kids on trips. Others, like us, don't ever take trips without them. For most it is mixed. It's sort of a family culture thing. For us, vacations are one of our core family activities, so we bring everyone every time.

Another consideration is getting her used to travel. Our boys are very good on planes and long drives in the car. Part of that is just personality, but part of that is that they've done it since they were infants. Now restaurants are another story. We rarely go out to eat anywhere that doesn't have toys with meals and a play area and it shows when we try to take our kids to a decent restaurant.

 

[almburr]

this is our 2nd trip. On our first trip last August we took the older 2 kids DD11&DD7, while younger 3younger ones DS5,DD3 DS1 stayed with Grandparents. This time In 8DAYS!!! we are taking the next 2 DS &DD while DD12 DD8 & DS23mo. stay with grandparents. It gives them special attention which they love , Now all the kids are are mad a baby (not really) because he will get to go with mom and dad by himself when he is 4 or 5. I say leave the little one at home(diaperbags, lots of extra clothes etc.) It does not make you a bad parent for wanting to spend time with the other ones. Remember baby gets you all the time.

 

[suffolkprincess]

Ultimately, I will probably take her with us, just because it makes me sad to think she wouldn't be included in the "family" pictures at WDW. Not to mention the fact that DD's ages 11 and 5 would miss her terribly!! Maybe I will run it past them and see what they would like us to do.

Amy

My SIL went for a very short trip to AKL/ WDW a few years back and left her younger daughter with us (she was probably 18 months.)

Every time she sees the (adorable) family pictures of her parents with her sister at Disney and without her she says something about it... YIKES!


Of course, I think this is also One of Those Things that you simply explain to the child and they will get it when older. But...

I think I would take the baby.