Taking kids' friends on trips...

[Marseeya]

What's the protocol for this?

We're thinking about asking one of DD's friends to go with us on our WDW trip in June. She's only 9, but she's done a few things with us and I think her mom might be okay with it, but I'm not sure. Do we wait and ask her when we're positive we'll have the extra money? (We'd pay for her entire trip, because I know her mom wouldn't have that kind of money.) Or should we mention it to the mom now as a possible idea, and let her know that we're not sure we can afford it yet, just to see if she'd be open to the idea?

What would you do?

What else should we think about in taking a child on a trip like that?

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I would mention it as soon as you could just in case they had other family plans coming up. Be sure to get some sort of notarized statement granting you and your DH permission to seek medical care for the child and their medical insurance info.

I took my oldest DDs best friend (age 11) with us on a trip to Atlanta with my 2 kids to see a Jesse McCartney concert. We all flew (the first time for all 3 kids!) and had a great time. I would do it again in a heartbeat - having an extra kid along kept my 2 from bickering!

 

[2BigKIdz]

I don't think I would mention it until you are certain you have the extra money. If the girl's mom is okay with it and her daughter finds out she may be going to WDW and gets really excited it would be a huge disappointment if you ended up not being able to take her.

Has the girl been away from home for more than a night or two? I know my niece wouldn't be able to go on a trip away from her parents for an extended period and she is 13, but it all depends on the child, her 14 year old brother spent 2 weeks with us this summer and was completely happy.

 

[janette]

I don't think I would mention it until you are certain you have the extra money. If the girl's mom is okay with it and her daughter finds out she may be going to WDW and gets really excited it would be a huge disappointment if you ended up not being able to take her.

I'd wait until it is a firm offer before you mention it especially since you plan to cover the costs. If you say maybe if you have the extra funds she'd feel obligated to offer to cover costs even if she might not can and would take the cost into her acceptance of the offer.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I would make sure I had the money first and then ask the friend's Mom. CBCF brought up a great point....be sure to get that medical care consent. We always take a friend for DS(12) and it makes the trip so much more enjoyable for everyone!

 

[janette]

Anyone know of a good website with a generic health care form? I'm taking a great-niece with me in March and need to get one before we go.

 

[mommaU4]

I don't think I would mention it until you are certain you have the extra money. If the girl's mom is okay with it and her daughter finds out she may be going to WDW and gets really excited it would be a huge disappointment if you ended up not being able to take her.

Has the girl been away from home for more than a night or two? I know my niece wouldn't be able to go on a trip away from her parents for an extended period and she is 13, but it all depends on the child, her 14 year old brother spent 2 weeks with us this summer and was completely happy.

This is what I was thinking. It might be akward to mention something and then not be able to for whatever reason, even if it was just to the mom.

And I agree with the homesickness thing. When we lived in CA my cousin came to visit us and brought her friend with her. They were teenagers but their first day here the friend started crying and crying. She had never been to Los Angeles before and was overwhelmed.

I would really talk about that with the mom and then if the friend does go make sure she knows she can call her mom, buy her a souvenior, send her postcards, etc.

One more thing to consider is even the best of friends fight. I'm not sure how long your vacation is but after awhile of complete togetherness they might start to get on each others nerves so you should think how you could give them some alone time if that should happen.

Sounds fun though. Good luck!

 

[dixipixi]

We are taking DS's (16) best friend with us this year.

First of all, we ok'd the trip with his parents before we mentioned anything to him. They are not very well off people and the last couple of years haven't been so great for them. Knowing this, we offered to pay for everything except his "spending money".

We drive down, so no extra expense there. We usually stay deluxe, but for about the same amount of money, we're getting two mod rooms this year (so that's not really anything extra). We've purchased his admission tickets and we'll pay for most meals and snacks. There is no way I would ever buy a coke/snack for my kids and not for their friend. The only time he would have to pay for anything to eat would be if he and DS are off on their own and get hungry.

BTW, this kid has been here everyday there's no school since Katrina helping us get back in our house...so this trip is kind of like repaying him for all of his help.

On the other hand, DS (12) has a best friend who gets to go to WDW at least once every year (sometimes twice or more). He has an annual pass and I know if we asked, his family would volunteer to pay his expenses, but they are better off financially than this other family.

I do think it depends on the friend and the family. Just be up front at the beginning about what you can pay for and what they need to help out with.

 

[Marseeya]

Thanks for the input!

To answer the question as to whether she's been away from home long term or not, I'm not sure. Her dad lives in another state, but when they go visit him, she's with her brother and sister. I hadn't really thought of the homesick angle, but I think I can handle it as far as helping her get her mind off of it and getting through it. I'm glad you brought that up, though.

Janette, I'll look for a form and if I find one, I'll let you know and you do the same, okay?

I really hope this works out for DD! I even told DH tonight that I'd be willing to stay value or moderate if it means freeing up the extra money for DD's friend. Hey, staying anywhere other than AKL is a real sacrifice for me. j/k

 

[tiggersmom2]

Thanks for the input!

To answer the question as to whether she's been away from home long term or not, I'm not sure. Her dad lives in another state, but when they go visit him, she's with her brother and sister. I hadn't really thought of the homesick angle, but I think I can handle it as far as helping her get her mind off of it and getting through it. I'm glad you brought that up, though.

Janette, I'll look for a form and if I find one, I'll let you know and you do the same, okay?

I really hope this works out for DD! I even told DH tonight that I'd be willing to stay value or moderate if it means freeing up the extra money for DD's friend. Hey, staying anywhere other than AKL is a real sacrifice for me. j/k

I agree.....my resort of choice is Poly and then Contemporary, but anything below the POR and I am weeping.

 

[janette]

This one seems pretty complete:

http://distinctivefeatures.com/Medical_Release_Form.htm

I just searched for medical release form child, lots of options.

 

[Marseeya]

This one seems pretty complete:

http://distinctivefeatures.com/Medical_Release_Form.htm

I just searched for medical release form child, lots of options.

Thanks! I'm bookmarking that in case we do get to take her friend.

 

[NMAmy]

Marseeya--I'm so glad you posted this.

We're taking a spur of the moment trip to WDW in February and bringin a friend of dd's along. I was going to post today about what we needed besides her insurance card. I'll print that form out for her mom to sign.

This friend is 15 and already spends a whole lot of time at our house so I don't think the homesick thing will be an issue. I'm paying for the hotel and all her meals--her family is paying for her airfare and WDW tickets and she'll bring spending money. She's a really great kid so I think we'll have a fun time. We've only taken a friend along before when we went overnight to Cedar Point so this is a new thing for all of us.