Taking niece & nephew-Are we nuts?

[jimmiej]

After much consideration, DB & SIL have given us the "thumbs up" to take our niece & nephew (8 & 12) to WDW next June. They are both well-behaved & we've had them before during the summer for a week at a time (we live about an hour away from them). We're excited but DB & my mom keep asking, "Are you sure you want to do this?" I understand their concern, but we wouldn't have asked if we weren't sure. Our DDs were 9 & 13 when we first took them. I think DB feels slightly guilty that they haven't taken their kids themselves, but they really don't have any interest in doing that. So, are we crazy? Have any of you taken nieces/nephews?

 

[Cruisin]

we have taken our niece (then 15) same age as our daughter, on a RCCL cruise this year.
We are taking both girls again this January for one day at Disney and a 3 day Disney Cruise. They will both be 16.
We did not regret it and we look forward to taking her with us again. She is a much lower maintenance girl than our own daughter and we enjoyed her company.
Right now she has a Mohawk and a few body piercings, but we love her anyway and we expect to be stopped by airport security because she sets off the alarms!!!!

 

[jtbdas]

My DW and I have taken our Niece on a few trips to WDW and she has always loved it and enjoyed it with our 2 DD's all of whom are a year apart. I am sure that they will enjoy it very much.

 

[jkovick]

I say GO FOR IT! DH and I have taken our niece and nephew (then 6&8) and our Godson (13). We made some wonderful memories, spoiling them like crazy. My family questioned us about "if we were sure" and I can honestly say if you plan and set realistic expectations, everyone will have a wonderful time. We are hoping to take another trip with DNi & Dn soon.

 

[castlegazer]

I took my nephew when he was 16 to Europe for two weeks. It was a wonderful experience for both of us. I had to establish some rules prior to our trip and rules during our trip regarding spending and itinerary changes and other such thing, but it was great. I found that he was very different with me than he was with his father, much more well behaved and listened and really found himself. I did not mother him but I did not sit back and let him do whatever he wanted (well, other than on our last night allowing him to just get room service rather than experiencing one last night out in Europe). We did what I had laid out for an itinerary and we accomodated any special interest either one of us had. He tolerated going to the caves with me and I tolerated biking umpteen million miles through the Loire for him.

This probably isn't relevant to taking children to Disney World, but I think the bottom line is that it was one of the best experiences for me and for him and we got along so well during that time and he was absolutely not a problem at any time during the trip. And just so you understand where I am coming from my nephew is not a peach, he and I clashed all the time when not on vacation together as I was a sort of mother figure for him even though I lived several thousand miles away. He also has extreme issues with authority. So that being said, he and I had a wonderful experience together.

Lay out ground rules for stuff that you know may be an issue like sweets, merchandise and bed times and all will go so much better than you ever could hope for. I hope you have a wonderful time doing this for them.

 

[disneyatl]

I think you are the best aunt and uncle around!!!!

 

[aunties]

I think you would be crazy not to go! I have frequently taken my niece and nephew on extended trips and everyone of them has been an amazing success. My nephew who is 16 and I are heading for our third trip to WDW in the spring and can't wait. My niece is in college and has another trip planned with the school to Africa so she won't be coming this time. They were always better behaved when away from Mom and Dad! We frequently reminisce about our trips and the fun we have had.

Make sure you have a copy of their insurance cards and a note of medical authorization in case of emergency.

Have fun and enjoy their company!

 

[wdwnutze]

I have taken my nephew to WDW a couple of times. He is the same age as my DS so it worked out well for them. WE found that he was well behaved and we had not trouble. It was fun to see WDW through his eyes. Definately set the ground rules ahead of time and enjoy!! Kids tend to behave much better when they are away from their parents.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We've taken four nieces - two sisters (9 and 11) the first time, one 15 yr old last Christmas and one 11 yr old last summer. We had a blast and our son loved having his cousins with him. We bought their tickets and paid for their meals (including lots of character meals). We asked their parents to provide any extra spending money that they might need. But each of the girls went home with a large stuffed plush compliments of my husband. He's just a sucker for these girls. (and several t-shirts, photos, etc).

 

[JVL1018]

I would take my niece and nephew in a heartbeat(they are almost 9 and almost 10)..the reason I would not hesitate is that we are a very close family and we have always had an unspoken rule that any of us(aunts/uncles/grandparents) can(and do) discipline all the kids in the family, so I know from having them for the weekends that they know better than to try to act up with us. We have no problem being just as firm with them as their parents are. Plus they are great kids.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We often take my Niece or Nephew with on vacation (we tend to bring one at a time since only one extra fits in the car and they are much better behaved apart from each other.) We took them on vacation with us before we had children, but since our DD was born March 2001, it has been extra helpful having them around.

This year will be the 1st time we are taking one to WDW with us. We invited our 12 year old niece to come along. The trip is a reward for keeping her room clean (something that is very hard for her). She also is paying some of her own expences with allowance money she has saved and a running account she has with us for being a helper with her younger cousin. She will be missing a few days of school, but has aproval from her techers. Some 12 year olds are too cool to go to WDW with their 2 year old cousin and aunt and uncle, but she isn't.

I am very exctied about her coming along, she is very easy going, fun to be around and helpful with her cousin. I am also excited to share WDW with her. She hasn't been since she was my DD age (just under 3) and she is the type of person who "feels the magic". It would be very difficult for her father to plan a family trip to WDW since he is a single father (widower) with 3 children. Since we are DVC members we hope to have a dual family trip with my brother and his kids someday, but for now the trip seems like too much for him.

(BTW her brother went to FLA last year with a friend and spent a few days at WDW, so I don't feel bad about leaving him at home.)

 

[HitchhikingGhost]

If you want to do it, then do it by all means! I can understand DB asking if you want to, but why your mom??? You are unquestionably an adult. . . ask her to stop asking and enjoy your trip. You sound like a great Aunt/Uncle!