Taking only one Grandchild?

[aubriee]

I'm taking my mom to WDW Sept 22nd-30th. She is is not in good health, so the trip will need to be very slow paced. My 9 y/o GD is having a birthday during that week and wants to go also. She is a little daredevil so there is no way both she and my mom could enjoy the trip. For example: My mom loves Epcot, but Aubriee hates Epcot. For Aubriee the scarier the ride the better whereas my mom won't ride anything fast or that spins. Her favorite park is MGM which my mom does not like. My mom has abslutely no sense of direction, so is not going anywhere by herself, so that is not an option.

Anyway I've explained to my GD why she can''t go this trip. She's not happy, but says she understands. Which brings me to my problem. I also have a grandson who will be 19 months by Sept. I'd really like to take him. The slow pace would be perfect for him and I would love to see WDW through his eyes. FYI-I took my GD with her dad Jan '05 and took her by myself again this past Jan (06), so it's not like she hasn't been recently. I took my younger son and his wife (minus their son) last Sept. Now their son is older and I'd like to take him, but am not sure how to explain to my GD that I'm taking her cousin (especially since her birthday is that week). I mentioned it to both my sons and my D-I-L and all three laughed and said they refused to get involved and it was between me and Aubriee. Any suggestions?

 

[mommy2twingles]

Since they are cousins it should not be a big deal. Just explain to her that you took her already this year and it is her cousins turn. Now if they were brother and sister then I would say no. My grandparents wanted to take just my boys to Disney this year. I refused to let them since my daughter was not invited.

 

[java]

Um you think an 18 month old will be easier to deal with along with your Mom? Have you been around an 18 month old lately? My son is a bundle of energy, will not stay in either highchair or stroller. We also have an 8 year old dd and she will be no problem on this trip. I just think you may need to be a little more honest with yourself. You just want to take the 18 month old this time. You already took your GD this year and now you want to take your GS. I wouldn't make a long story of it all. Just do what you want to do. You are VERY generous for all the free trips you have been giving everyone. So it is time you get to enjoy them too! Enjoy your trip. Now I agree siblings is a different story, cousins I can see. Isn't she having a birthday party at home?

 

[Hannathy]

If you want to concentrate on your Mom's enjoyment then go with only her. Taking a toddler it will be harder to have an adult focused trip than with an 8 yr old. You will have to cater to a toddlers whims and desires because they can't begin to understand we are doing what Gr.Ma likes. If you take a toddler you can pretty much rule out leisurely lunches or strolling thru the shops at EPCOT and replace it with standing and watching you and him on Dumbo or playing in the play areas. Your full attention will be on the toddler.

IMO I would go with your Mom and have an adult trip with some real quality time with your Mom. I am envious, I would have loved to have spent time at Disney alone with my Mom.

 

[mshrm]

As someone who recently lost her mom I would have to agree with hannathy. You have lots of time to take the grandkids but how many trips will you get to take with mom? I would just go and enjoy the adult time with her while youve got it.

 

[RumpleMom]

I can't imagine letting a 19 month old go to WDW with grandma and great-grandma without the parents. Did I understand the OP correctly?

 

[indigoxtreme]

That is too young, go with your mom only and enjoy this trip the 2 of you. You will be having to worry abput diapers and changes etc with the infant. That is going to take a lot of time out of your visit. I would take the older child before the infant and explain to her if she wants to come it will be under the rules for greatgrandmom and not her.

I try to go places with my mom with out the grandchildren she is 76 and we have a great time together with no interuptions for tantrums and tired and cranky child.

 

[MinnieGi]

I agree with many of the others - take your mother ONLY!!!! Enjoy Epcot and the slow pace with her. Enjoy sit-down restaurants and shows and everything else that you can do during a more relaxed paced trip. I'm sure it will be a memborable and wonderful trip.

Do NOT take the 19 month old toddler unless his mother is coming along too. My DS was 17 months when we went during the winter and will be 23 months when we go in July. Toddlers are a handful and will not do well for lots of sit-down meals and shows. They are also on the go all the time and have lots of energy they need to burn up. Plus I can't imagine the 19 month old being away from his mother for a week.

 

[minkydog]

You said your mom is in poor health and needs to go slow? i think I would just go with your mom and enjoy an adult-only trip on this one. I don't think an active toddler, no matter how adorable he is, will be conducive to your mom having a good time--you were taking this trip for her, right? I don' think you can justify leaving home the active 9yo to take the even-more-active 18 month old.

 

[mmiller711]

Ok, I guess I have the odd opinion here. My grandson is 4 and has been to Disney 3 times (his 4th trip comes in August). He has been twice with me and without his mother. She is a total Disney nut like her mom and wants him to go whenever he can. My DD went with my mom and without me at less then 24 months too. My question is... Does you mother want your GS to go. My mom is going in Aug. and she is 82. She spent some time in the hospital this past year after having hip surgery. She was in pretty bad shape and we almost lost her. Once she started to recover her thought was that her Disney days were done. Well, the only reason she decided to take this trip is because she wants to see the great-grandchildren at Disney one more time. Both of my sisters are going, my daughters family and my niece are going and taking all 5 of her children (3 of them are under 2!). We now have a grand gathering and am sure we will enjoy every minute. We do have on advantage in that there are 7 adults besides my mom so we can handle the kids and still have someone available for mom should she need something.
If the trip is for your mom, I would ask her!

 

[Mom to Jordan]

I would also take just your mom. It would be a trip that you would never forget and allow the two of you some wonderful bonding time. The only other thing i would consider is a magical gathering type vacation for the whole family. I would not take just the todder for a lot of reasons including the fact that it would really hurt your granddaaughter becasue she was the one that wanted to go, not the baby that does not have a clue.