Something we all should keep in mind: Perspective from a 7 year old

[akfan513]

My house is full of Disney Wold vacation fans. We started this game we call "And the winner is....". We each present a question about DW and then we give a big drum roll and each family member gives their choice for the winner. (Like...What is your favorite character to meet?). My 7 year old presented a challenging question, "What is your overall favorite thing at Disney?". I couldn't choose. I kept running through my favorite rides, restaurants, characters, shows, and pools in my head and I told my daughter I was stumped. I did the drum roll for her because she had come up with an answer. I built up the excitement and said, "And the winner is...." My daughter exclaimed, "Spending time with my family!".

I was ashamed of myself! How had I not thought of that? I was so focused on the stuff at Disney instead of the most important thing, the magic of the time with my family.

It was perfect timing as I booked my fastpasses last night. Instead of worrying about all of the unknowns and uncertainty with my July trip, I happily booked my FP and kept my daughter's voice in my head. Instead of grimacing that the July hours at AK weren't updated, I thought, "And the winner is....spending time with my family!"

(Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to scour the boards and blogs for updated info on the unknowns, I'm just going to do it with my daughter's perspective!)

 

[Missymoe4]

What a blessing...thank you for posting.

 

[CarolynFH]

Yep, sometimes our kids are the wisest of all. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

My house is full of Disney Wold vacation fans. We started this game we call "And the winner is....". We each present a question about DW and then we give a big drum roll and each family member gives their choice for the winner. (Like...What is your favorite character to meet?). My 7 year old presented a challenging question, "What is your overall favorite thing at Disney?". I couldn't choose. I kept running through my favorite rides, restaurants, characters, shows, and pools in my head and I told my daughter I was stumped. I did the drum roll for her because she had come up with an answer. I built up the excitement and said, "And the winner is...." My daughter exclaimed, "Spending time with my family!".

I was ashamed of myself! How had I not thought of that? I was so focused on the stuff at Disney instead of the most important thing, the magic of the time with my family.

It was perfect timing as I booked my fastpasses last night. Instead of worrying about all of the unknowns and uncertainty with my July trip, I happily booked my FP and kept my daughter's voice in my head. Instead of grimacing that the July hours at AK weren't updated, I thought, "And the winner is....spending time with my family!"

(Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to scour the boards and blogs for updated info on the unknowns, I'm just going to do it with my daughter's perspective!)

Special little kid you got there!
Sounds like you're doing a great job as a parent(s). Keep up the good work.

 

[Cee]

Wonderful

 

[lovethattink]

Very insightful 7 year old.

Our oldest son is rarely with us at Disney. But he works at Disney Springs, so he is at Disney, just not with us at Disney.

My husband and I love seeing Disney through our youngest son's eyes. He is 12, he has special needs. One of the traits of his special needs is his keen eye for detail. He will notice things that dh and I never took notice to. We'll see the whole picture of a show or an attraction, but he'll hone in on some magnificent detail that we'd totally miss had he not pointed it out.

 

[akfan513]

Very insightful 7 year old.

Our oldest son is rarely with us at Disney. But he works at Disney Springs, so he is at Disney, just not with us at Disney.

My husband and I love seeing Disney through our youngest son's eyes. He is 12, he has special needs. One of the traits of his special needs is his keen eye for detail. He will notice things that dh and I never took notice to. We'll see the whole picture of a show or an attraction, but he'll hone in on some magnificent detail that we'd totally miss had he not pointed it out.

Love it! My youngest brother is handicapped and I remember going to Disney as a kid with him. One specific memory I have is when an afternoon downpour began and everyone ran for cover but he started dancing and skipping in the rain. Our whole family joined in and soon so did others. Now, that was magic. I love how kids put things into perspective.

Thank you for sharing about your son. If only we all could see all of the details!

 

[EagleG17]

Amen

 

[lovethattink]

Love it! My youngest brother is handicapped and I remember going to Disney as a kid with him. One specific memory I have is when an afternoon downpour began and everyone ran for cover but he started dancing and skipping in the rain. Our whole family joined in and soon so did others. Now, that was magic. I love how kids put things into perspective.

Thank you for sharing about your son. If only we all could see all of the details!

That sounds like fun! Thanks for sharing.

 

[princessesandpascal]

I absolutely love this!! It reminds me of a conversation I had with my best friend when we were talking about our upcoming trip. She's a first-timer and I asked her what she was the most excited about, figuring it'd be a ride/show, and she said "getting to spend time together and just getting to hang out together for the week!" and it really put things in perspective for me the same way!

I think your daughter's perspective is one that a lot of people on these forums should use as well!

 

[Pesky]

What a great thing to keep in mind! Thanks for reminding us of what's important.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

Great thread! Slow down and smell the flowers!

 

[serenitynow]

Out of the mouths of babes. You are really blessed.

 

[akfan513]

Special little kid you got there!
Sounds like you're doing a great job as a parent(s). Keep up the good work.

Thank you!! She is special! I'm lucky to be her mom.

 

[butterfly71076]

My house is full of Disney Wold vacation fans. We started this game we call "And the winner is....". We each present a question about DW and then we give a big drum roll and each family member gives their choice for the winner. (Like...What is your favorite character to meet?). My 7 year old presented a challenging question, "What is your overall favorite thing at Disney?". I couldn't choose. I kept running through my favorite rides, restaurants, characters, shows, and pools in my head and I told my daughter I was stumped. I did the drum roll for her because she had come up with an answer. I built up the excitement and said, "And the winner is...." My daughter exclaimed, "Spending time with my family!".

I was ashamed of myself! How had I not thought of that? I was so focused on the stuff at Disney instead of the most important thing, the magic of the time with my family.

It was perfect timing as I booked my fastpasses last night. Instead of worrying about all of the unknowns and uncertainty with my July trip, I happily booked my FP and kept my daughter's voice in my head. Instead of grimacing that the July hours at AK weren't updated, I thought, "And the winner is....spending time with my family!"

(Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to scour the boards and blogs for updated info on the unknowns, I'm just going to do it with my daughter's perspective!)

We all forget from time to time, with the excitement/stress of ADR's, FP+ and park hours, why we are doing it all. Spending time with family, doing something we all love. There really is no better way to say it. A big Thank you to your DD for reminding me. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

Wonderful story. Thank you for sharing.

 

[Sevey13]

Special little kid you got there!
Sounds like you're doing a great job as a parent(s). Keep up the good work.

I work with kids. In my experience, almost every kid really just wants to spend time with family A good reminder to the parents who just drop them off at after school programs like they are daycare...

 

[pmaurer74]

This is something we often lose sight off. I always tell first timers going to Disney to stop and smell the roses or the trip will pass them by.

 

[Amunet]

Awe, this made me cry happy tears

 

[ChattaAlley]

Very insightful 7 year old.

Our oldest son is rarely with us at Disney. But he works at Disney Springs, so he is at Disney, just not with us at Disney.

My husband and I love seeing Disney through our youngest son's eyes. He is 12, he has special needs. One of the traits of his special needs is his keen eye for detail. He will notice things that dh and I never took notice to. We'll see the whole picture of a show or an attraction, but he'll hone in on some magnificent detail that we'd totally miss had he not pointed it out.

This is great. I often go to Disney with some very good friends. It is just my friend, her husband, and their 15 yr old Autistic son. I must say I have the best time when going with them (mostly him). He is just so excited and loves all things Disney. He never complains and is just so happy to be there. It is infectious. Sometimes we take for granted the beautiful small things and focus in on the negative. He always puts things into perspective for me.