Sister and niece abandoned at MK

[Schmeck]

If it was just a 22 yr old alone, then let her freak, but she is responsible for the well being of her 3 yr old - she decided to have that child, she is 100% responsible for making sure that child is safe. Being 22 is no excuse when you are a parent.

 

[IkeandMike]

It might have been that she paniced because she had her daughter with her. I don't believe attacking her choices makes any sense. The point is her friends had a total lack of understanding and compasion.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Hope your neice enjoyed her day.

This could be a matter of simple miscommunications. Maybe your sister didn't understand she was to take the monorail over and meet her them at DHS vs meeting at the monorail. There is informational overload at WDW.

Every day there are people who should know better that stop in their tracks and open a map. Sometimes parts of our brain just shut down.

Believe me I won't be getting smug about how your sister should have been better prepared and more responsible. We do NOT know if your niece even noticed. Sounds like if she didn't go screaming crying over to GR but managed to move on to DHS and find her friends.

One conversation she had with her sister that we're getting seconhand in a moment of panic (which turned out fine) is not enough to judge someone's parenting skills.

 

[danny1649]

Moved your post our community board where it is better fit. Danny

 

[madfelice]

Glad it turned out well. No one is totally without fault, you know, but really, you don't know the whole situation so stop judging this poor young woman!

 

[mamaLori05]

If it was just a 22 yr old alone, then let her freak, but she is responsible for the well being of her 3 yr old - she decided to have that child, she is 100% responsible for making sure that child is safe. Being 22 is no excuse when you are a parent.

HMM..I don't ever remember it being mentioned that the child was unsafe. They were lost in Disney, not downtown Miami! I'm assuming you don't have children. I think most parents would have a brief moment of panick if they were in that situation, no matter their age. Then after that moment of panick you'd find a way to solve the problem, which she did.

 

[StratMan]

If it was just a 22 yr old alone, then let her freak, but she is responsible for the well being of her 3 yr old - she decided to have that child, she is 100% responsible for making sure that child is safe. Being 22 is no excuse when you are a parent.

I really don't understand what you're hoping to accomplish with these kinds of comments. Having a kid does not make you immune to being scared or frustrated regardless of age. Of course she's 100% responsible for her daughter's safety. Has someone suggested otherwise? I don't think so. However, as most of us can appreciate, that responsibility can be a lot to bear in situations like this.

I'd imagine everyone gets your point by now. You think this young woman's parenting is sub-standard and if she would just be more like you, she would never find herself in an emotionally difficult situation. However, the title of this thread isn't "Please tell me how you would fix my sister." The original poster was upset and felt helpless knowing that her sister and niece were having a tough time at WDW. She posted the story here, as she has said, to vent a little and perhaps find some comfort in discussing it with the community.

Nobody is saying that this young mother made perfect choices and used perfect judgment. In fact, the original poster has plainly stated just the opposite several times. The fact is that she ended up in a tough spot and it was hard on her. Most of us can sympathize with that.

 

[Christine43]

I really think the critique of this mom's parenting skills is very unnecessary. The only thing she might be slightly guilty of is trusting this jerk in Florida. She must have been so happy to plan this visit so her little girl could meet Mickey. I really don't think she was irresponsible at all. Naive perhaps, but not irresponsible because she believed her friend was going to come through on her promises and must have been completely distraught when the friend took off. I hope the trip to MK had more positives than negatives.

 

[Rosered]

First of all, thank you to all that defended DSis, I did originally start this post to vent, not to get into a debate on young mothers. I am also 12 years older than DSis and also have a 3 year old DD, along with a 10 year old DD and I would probably have had a mini-meltdown too in that situation. I by far am considered the most responsible sibling in our large family but anyone can feel overwhelmed when they are in an unfamiliar situation and ill prepared.
I've read many stories of adult meltdowns at Disney. I don't think in this situation age had anything to do with it. My sister is actually a pretty good mom. She works and takes care of DN who is a very happy and intelligent little 3 year old. That's all I'll say on the subject of her age since like I said I don't want to turn this into a debate. Besides you all did an awesome job explaining to certain posters that this shouldn't be about criticizing her parenting skills. Thank you all again

By the way I now know that my niece was actually napping on the stroller during my DSis meltdown so she didn't know a thing. She woke up when they were already on the bus to DHS were her "friends" were waiting for her at the bus stop. She did reach them after keeping her phone off for a while she was able to turn it back on and call them.

I'll try to make a long story short. During the day there where several times they were suppose to meet up at a designated spot. My sister would wait only to get a call some time later that they had decided to do other things and would meet up with her later at another spot. This happened about 3 times so her "friends" actually rode almost every ride while my DS and DN rode about 4 and saw some shows. She lost a lot of time waiting for them. Finally they were suppose to meet in ToonTown. This is when the "friends" decided to head to DHS instead so when my sister called them from ToonTown they said they were at the monorail station and would wait for her there. She rushed over and they had already left because they got tired of waiting. This is actually when my older DSis called her just to see how her trip was going and she vented to her and was crying (I originally thought she had call older DSis, sorry). Then the phone got cut off, which is why my older DSis was so worried and in turn worried me. DSis then managed to get to DHS on the bus and found her friends there.

DNiece did get to meet Ariel, Belle, Cinderella and Aurora. She also loved the Alladin ride. They also did Pirates, Small World and Philharmagic at MK and Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Muppets at DHS. The highlight of her trip was being chosen be a cowgirl and dancing with Jesse at the "Woody's Roundup Show" (not sure if this is the actual name.) DNiece had a good time although she was disappointed she didn't meet Mickey and upset because during the parade when she saw him he "wasn't listening to her" when she tried to get his attention.

Sorry this is so long, but finally my DSis says she'll never go with them again although they promised her if she returned they'd do Disney right. She now wants to go with me next time I go which should be next year. We'll see.

 

[StratMan]

Thanks for the update! I have a 3yo daughter and we're getting ready to visit WDW for the first time so this story kind of hit home for me. I'm so glad to hear the day wasn't a total bust for your niece and that she was spared most of the drama. I love the part about her being annoyed by Mickey "not listening." I can really identify with that.

I'm sorry that this thread veered into a debate about your sister's parenting. It sounds like she's a loving mom who did what she could to take her daughter to Disneyworld. Every kid should be so lucky.

 

[mamaLori05]

Glad to hear it sounds like your DN had a great time in Disney!! I'm sure she'll have good memories of her trip for years to come!! I have to say after a day like your Dsis had, I probably would have been a little stressed too. After all, she was just trying to give her daughter a magical trip that every kid deserves. I'm sorry that her friends were so rotten. Hopefully she loses contact with those "friends".

I am also sorry that people had to be so rude and judgemental towards your sister. Expecially since you mentioned in your first post that you were just venting. Take care and I'm glad everything worked out okay!!!

 

[plutojudy]

I'm glad everything worked out fine. I'm sorry some people felt the need to criticize.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

Glad everything turned out all right. I can understand your sister's meltdown. I know how how it feels to be frustrated, scared, and out right angry....no wonder she called her sister in tears. You'd want a familiar voice to vent to when the people you're with turned out to be so cruel (or at the least not understanding). I think every parent has been in a situation where they just feel overwhelmed. In my case, I know that I've called my DH and just bawled to him when I've been completely frustrated. It always helps to have someone you love help put it in perpective. Or at the least lend an understanding ear. Take her to Disney and show her how great it is when you're with people who CARE!

 

[Rosered]

Thanks everyone for your kind words and being so understanding. We actually took DSis to disney about 6 years ago before she became a mom. It was my DH, DD 5 at the time my DSis was about 16 and I. We had a very good time and because of that trip and me talking so much about Disney to my family she knew how to take the monorail to the TTC to the DHS bus, but this was DNiece first trip. I would love to have my DNiece join us at Disney since as I had said before my second DD is the same age. Actually they are 22 hours apart. DNiece being born on Christmas and DD the next day. But that's another story! lol.

DNiece now says she is an official cowgirl since they had them take an oath at the end of the Woody show. She had a great time meeting the princesses and my DSis said she was completed unaware of all the negative stuff. I did warn DSis if she goes with me she needs to remember that I am an overplanner. She's fine with that because she knows my obsessive planning means we'll get a lot done. She says she will not be returning to visit her "friends", hope she means it.

 

[Corryn]

DNiece did get to meet Ariel, Belle, Cinderella and Aurora. She also loved the Alladin ride. They also did Pirates, Small World and Philharmagic at MK and Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Muppets at DHS. The highlight of her trip was being chosen be a cowgirl and dancing with Jesse at the "Woody's Roundup Show" (not sure if this is the actual name.)
.

WooHoo!!!
All things aside, THAT"S what she'll remember

 

[PrincessKara22]

I'm 22 and can barely take care of myself and have meltdowns at disney and well everywhere especially if someone is treating me poorly. My friends and I might have college degrees and full time jobs and tiny apartments but I don't think anyone could consider us adults, lol! I think your sister handled the situation really well and I'm glad your niece had a good time.