Taking a child (who isn't yours, without siblings) to Disney for the first time?

[mousebitten]

Although this is my first post, I have been lurking the boards for over a year. Last April I went on a Disney trip with my extended family with all the helpful tips of the Dis and now I can't stop thinking about going back as soon as possible!

I volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters and I REALLY want to be able to take my "Little Sister" with me next summer but I'm not sure if it is a good idea or not. Most children around here will only get to Disney once in their childhood. Am I depriving her mother of the chance to see the look on her child's face when she sees the castle for the first time or giving the child a wonderful opportunity that she might not otherwise have? My "little" also has a younger brother and sister who are matched to other mentors in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Is it fair for me to take my "Little Sister" when they won't be coming?

I realize that the best thing to do will be to talk to her mother (father is not in the picture) but I don't want to put her in a very difficult place of making a decision until I am sure that it is reasonable to ask.

Thanks for any insights!

 

[worm761]

Although this is my first post, I have been lurking the boards for over a year. Last April I went on a Disney trip with my extended family with all the helpful tips of the Dis and now I can't stop thinking about going back as soon as possible!

I volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters and I REALLY want to be able to take my "Little Sister" with me next summer but I'm not sure if it is a good idea or not. Most children around here will only get to Disney once in their childhood. Am I depriving her mother of the chance to see the look on her child's face when she sees the castle for the first time or giving the child a wonderful opportunity that she might not otherwise have? My "little" also has a younger brother and sister who are matched to other mentors in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Is it fair for me to take my "Little Sister" when they won't be coming?

I realize that the best thing to do will be to talk to her mother (father is not in the picture) but I don't want to put her in a very difficult place of making a decision until I am sure that it is reasonable to ask.

Thanks for any insights!

While I think that your volunteering is wonderful, I think you overstep your boundaries with the child in taking her on a vacation. As a parent, I would not allow you to take my child on a week long vacation like that. I would not be comfortable with it. Think of the awkward and uncomfortable position you put the mother in if you even decide to ask. I would suggest you dump this idea.

If you want to take a kid to Disney, I suggest you start taking your nieces and nephews for one on one trips with Auntie. That is much more appropriate.

 

[DavidG1966]

Way to much responsibility and liability. It's great what you would like to do, but, I would not do it.

 

[Mainst]

While I think that your volunteering is wonderful, I think you overstep your boundaries with the child in taking her on a vacation. As a parent, I would not allow you to take my child on a week long vacation like that. I would not be comfortable with it. Think of the awkward and uncomfortable position you put the mother in if you even decide to ask. I would suggest you dump this idea. If you want to take a kid to Disney, I suggest you start taking your nieces and nephews for one on one trips with Auntie. That is much more appropriate.

Well said. Completely agree. You are overstepping your position as a Big Sister

 

[MinnieMe129]

I think it is a very nice thought and can understand wanting to a take a child to WDW. I know I couldn't wait to take my DD. However, taking a child to WDW is a lot more exhausting than you might think. It isn't always magical moments - just with over stimulation and exhaustion to begin with. Have you taken this child for an extended period of time at home?

As a parent, I would appreciate the gesture but it would make me sad. If the little girl is into Disney stuff, I think something along the line of Disney on Ice would be a better outing.

 

[MSSANDRA]

What a kind and wonderful person you are to think about doing this. I sadly have to agree with the others that it just is not a good idea. First, you are out of the county. You would need to deal with passports etc, that she may not even have. Second, I wonder if that would even be allowed with-in the rules of the organization. Beyond that, the idea of traveling with a child that may have not spent overnights with you could end up being a disaster. Just way too many ifs and issues. Sadly the chances that a single mom with three kids can take her kids across the boarder to WDW is pretty low, but I just don't see you trying to take her as a good idea, even though you are very sweet to want to.

 

[mousebitten]

Thank you all for your opinions/advice. Since we do many activities together including overnight sleepovers, visiting local water parks and such, I would not be worried about the responsibilities or dealing with less than magical moments as we work through these issues every week as needed. However I would never want her mother to feel like I'm overstepping boundaries or sad.

I'm glad I was able to get the advice from this forum as it has never led me wrong yet! Looks like I will have to wait for my sister and brother-in-law to give me some nieces or nephews before heading back to WDW.

 

[The Hendies]

It looks like you have already made up you mind, but I need to add my 2 cents! We took our friends 7 year old grandson to WDW a few years ago. He had the time of his life, and we enjoyed seeing Disney through the eyes of a child again. He does not have siblings, so that wasn't an issue. I talked to his mom before hand and she said she would love for him to go, but probably would never be able to take him herself. I don't regret for a moment that we invited him.

 

[smiths02]

First, I applaud your volunteer efforts and your relationship with this child.

As an educator, I have to go through training every year that tells me basically never to be alone with a child. I would doubt the Big Brothers, Big Sisters would encourage you to take children on vacation without their parents.

I don't know how old the kid is, but as a parent, I would not let my children go on vacation with anyone other than my spouse, myself or grandparents until at least 13 years old.

 

[bdoyledimou]

we are taking our Foster Daughter to Disney in 3 weeks === but that is a totally different situation --- i would gauge your relationship with mom before talkig about this ---

 

[arminnie]

I took the daughter of my brother's ex wife to Disney - but did not take her brother or my brother's bio son. I don't think the boys really cared.

We had a great time. Her mother was more than okay with it - so that's all that mattered. She was about 10 and the boys were both 12.

That was years ago. She remembers it as a great time. The two boys have no ill will.

Her mother has 10x the money I do so she could have taken her but just didn't want to.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

I volunteer with a group similar to BBBS in my area and there's no way that would ever be allowed. It's a nice thought, however I just don't think it's feasible. My buddy's aunt would never allow that, and I'm given a pretty free leash with him.