Split-level age family

[Baileymouse]

Hi Everyone!

I haven't been around in awhile, since life took a few interesting turns. Being a Mom to a toddler again has been idifferent, to say the least.

I'd like to plan a trip to go back to WDW with the entire family. Here's the thing - my son is 21, and our daughter is 3.5! She'll be 4 in June and we're aiming for next fall.

My son dotes on the little one and wants to come along, but I'm wondering what activities would be great for both of them. I know Josh is going to want to go to the clubs & such at night, and I'm sure there are plenty of cutesy little girl activities he won't want to be a part of.

Has anyone else been in this situation? What special stuff did your wide age-range kids share?

Many hugs!

 

[sameyeyam]

Well my kids aren't quite that far apart, but having a teenage daughter that loves scary rides and an 8yo son that hates scary rides makes Disney interesting.

Generally my husband & daughter go do the scary rides in the morning, while son & I do the rides he wants. Then we join up around dinner time and do family rides together (Haunted Mansion, POTC, etc...) for the rest of the time.

Believe it or not we sometimes bump into each other during the day and might switch off kids for a ride or two! It's probably not a perfect plan but for now it works!

 

[gottagodisney]

I am interested to see what others do as well. I have an 11 and 7 yr. old and just found out last month that I was pregnant again. It changes the whole scheme of planning DW trips now!

bumping to hear an answer for you.

 

[powellrj]

you have me beat!! My kids are 23, 15 and 10! What we have always done is split up in the morning and get together for lunch and then do things as a family in the afternoon. Sometimes we will leave in the late afternoon and go back to the room and the kids swim and DH and I will take a nap.... Its hard for us 2 old people to keep up with those young ones!!!

 

[dwaddict]

Ok I thought I was the only one with spread out children, 17,8, and 2. The boys tend to stick together at DW, while we entertain the 2y/o. Though the oldest likes to take our littlest girl to the parades. (Helps him get the attention of the ladies)
Though, he has informed us he will not be joining us on this trip in May. Feels he has gotten a little to big for the family vacation. Says he will go for grad night and spend time there with friends next summer! (One less mouth to feed)

 

[SnowWitch]

My kids are: boys 17 and 14, girls 21 months and 2 months. Our aproach is not what you are looking for from the sound of it but this is how we make it work. My 14 yr old and myself are the type A members of the family, my DH and DS 17 go along with whatever we plan. The girls, being that they have limited verbal skills at this point, just smile for pics. We plan family mornings and evenings, whereas everyone is together, our oldest daughter loves her brothers so they will tour in the mornings with us at MK and ride some rides with her. Or in reverse in the evenings instead. The boys have been touring Disney since they were the girls age and don't require park maps. They alot so much time to the waterparks and Disneyquest which the girls and DH and I don't do yet. We always have TS meals together and do planned activites such as putt-putt. We plan a good bit of resort time for the girls especially in the summer months for swimming, napping, or just strolling around with limited crowds. This approach worked great last summer with Anna only 14 months and me pregnant at the time with Grace.

 

[bless7ings]

Well, I guess we are a bit differant too. I planned a family trip in 2005. The big one before our oldest graduated. The kids ages at that time were: s17, s15, d12, d10, d2 3/4, d17mths. My parents went with us. We had the best family vacation ever! I hoping to go back this fall! We did most everything together because of me! Yes, mom the big family memories cooridinator! I insist on it. But it all was well. I focused on the older kids for the vacation and the little ones just had a great time watching their siblings. We homeschool, so they are used to being together a lot already. The little ones adore the older ones and vice versa. It is very different. I am glad we homeschool or I am afraid they would not know each other! We went back to the room every afternoon with the little ones, so it was nice with my parents because they had the option of going with them or coming back to the pool. Things went well, but I had focused on the older ones.

I am hoping to go again the end of this summer. I asked my oldest if he wanted to go again and he said yes.(he's at college right now) This year the ages will be s19, s17, d13, d12, d43/4, d3, s10mths. This time I will focus on the little ones more, so I am interested in any ideas too!

 

[GrumpyMom1]

I always think our family is different and then I read things like this and realize we aren't that unique. I am currently planning a trip to WDW in August with my 3 DD's who at the time will be 18, 14, and just turned 1. This is the vacation that my 18yo picked as her graduation present. I've already explained to the big girls that things will be different and we will have to take it slow but they are ok with that.

 

[kristinanderic]

Maybe your 21 yo son will see the world through you 3.5 yo DD eyes and want to spend those precious moments with her while she experiences it all.......

or.......if things don't go that "perfectly" let him split up and do somethings on his own.

Just make sure he has a cell phone and let him take some breaks from the family every once in a while.

But, I do think its important to do some things together as a family like meals and such.

Just sticking in my twocents.