Taking other's children with you?

[PaulaSue]

I have seen some post about taking neices and other friends along with your own children. It got me thinking about taking a good Friend's DD (she is 13 and my girls are 6, 4, and 2) along with us. Actually her Mom teased about it a few years ago since they would never go there themselves. I am sure her parents would pay for most of the cost, airfare, tix, etc. but what else should I think about before I offer the idea seriously?

TIA!

 

[powellrj]

I guess I wonder why you are asking her. She isn't the same age as any of your children, so her interests would be very different than theirs would be. She would really get bored just hanging around the kiddie rides with your children, but your children would be bored hanging around the rides she would want to ride waiting on her. My kids are spread out in ages, so we have always split up in the parks so this didn't happen. Since this is your families vacation, you wouldn't want to split up in the parks.

If you want her to babysit for you, then you would really need to pay her way.

I know if wouldn't let my kids go with another family unless the kids were the same age and good friends.

 

[tlbwriter]

I agree - I don't think her interests would mesh well with your family's interests.

 

[all4fun]

You may have seen me mention it a few times. DH and I have taken his Brother's step-kids (who we consider to be our nieces and nephew even if they're not related by blood) to WDW. We took our nephew when he was 7, his twin sisters when they were 12 (they came together), and just last January we took the youngest at the ripe old age of 8. One thing you should definitely consider is that adding another person to your family vacation will add another dynamic and it may be one you didn't anticipate. We felt we knew these kids very well prior to the trip, they had even spent nights at our home several times. This still didn't prepare us for some of the attitudes and behaviors we witnessed from them while on vacation. I don't know why, maybe because we were so far from home, & it was a totally new experience for them, but they just behaved in ways we didn't anticipate. Of course, each of the three trips we experienced totally different things because of course, every child is an individual. We are still glad we did it because their parents unfortunately will never be able to take them, but it was really an eye-opener for us and these experiences (along with a couple of trips taken with MIL, and also my family) have really opened our eyes to how great it is to just take a nice vacation without any additional people along.

As far as what the others have said about her not meshing with your family, only you know that. If she already enjoys spending time with your kids, who knows, she may love tagging along with you. I know on our last trip, my 8 year old niece loved playing with my 20 mos old ds and that was just lovely for all us. Of course, that's a bit different since he's a "baby" . (Don't most little girls love playing with babies?)

I also think there are a lot of rides she can do with the adults and/or your oler two dd's or she can sit out if she wants (I assume you'll probably use the rider swap for some rides?) Anyway, just some food for thought. I hope it helps.

Cheryl

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Personally, I wouldn't. From the age difference of the girl and your kids, it sounds like you are wanting a baby-sitter.

 

[epcotfan]

I wouldn't do it. That is way too large of an age gap. However if you are really close then maybe it doesn't matter. If she got sick would you be willing to put your touring on hold to care for her. If she is tired or not feeling well would you stay with her in the room? I only mention this because I took my two young cousins (11 and 12) to WDW a couple of years ago and had to be okay with those circumstances should they have occured.

If you do decide to take her you would also need a notarized letter from her parents indicating you have been entrusted with her care.

 

[Vijoge]

Assuming you're not looking for a babysitter, I say take her if this is something you feel you want to do and don't worry about the age gap. We're taking our 16 y/o son and our 6 and 8 y/o granddaughters. Lots of people have 10 or more years age difference between their own children. Mine are 27, 25, and 16.

Now, if you're thinking, "Gee, it would be fun to take Susie, and maybe she could watch the kids while we . . . " then I think you need to
a. make that clear to her and let her decide if she wants a working vacation
and
b. pay her way

Just make sure Susie is someone you want to share your family vacation with. My 16 y/o has a friend we take with us a lot. He fits right in and we treat him (and he acts) just like one of the family.

Of course, this is only my opinion.

 

[rt2dz]

I say if you want to take her, take her, no matter what the reasoning. That is something that only you and your family can decide on. I wouldn't worry about the age difference--when we were there last my 3.5 year old went on Tower of Terror and had no problems with the shows, so I don't see the age gap as a problem. Besides, there is a 15 year age difference between my oldest sister & my little brother--8 years between my & my brother with no one in between.

I would make sure the reasoning for taking her is thought out & made clear to her parents and then her. Ask the parents first, without her around. If it is a go, decide on what you will pay for & what her parents need to pay for (decide this before asking her parents). Costs include admission to everything, food (decide how, if, you want to split), souveniers, airfare--you should pay for hotel costs & car travel expenses, imo. Make sure you have her doctors info, a notorized form giving you consent to act as guardian and give medical care (be sure to put the effective dates in this letter), have a list of all allergies & know other medical preferences. Make sure you give detailed itenary & lodging info to parents.

 

[pyrxtc]

I have seen some post about taking neices and other friends along with your own children. It got me thinking about taking a good Friend's DD (she is 13 and my girls are 6, 4, and 2) along with us. Actually her Mom teased about it a few years ago since they would never go there themselves. I am sure her parents would pay for most of the cost, airfare, tix, etc. but what else should I think about before I offer the idea seriously?

TIA!

I am one of those taking a family friend with us to WDW. She will be 14 when we go and has babysat for us a few times (hard for us since she lives about 2 hrs away) and she is willing to help with the kids while we are there (mine are 11,8,4,2). She went to MK a long time ago but doesn't remember much of anything. She doesn't remember going on any rides so this will be a Magical experience for her.

I paid for her tickets and she is in our room so that didn't cost anything more. her mother wanted to pay for her park tickets but I covered that for the cost of babysitting. (Her mom is single andwork full-time while going to school. DBSitter is the youngest of 3) I am at a loss to tell her what she can pay for. she is very insistent that it be something. We are driving so there is no airfare cost.

is she willing to go and help you with the kids a little. At least she will be there and we plan on giving our DBSitter time for herslf and a chnace to go on all the rides we do. We will still do the baby swap thing but occasionally DBS will be the one to wait and my DH and I will get to go on a ride together. Some nights my DH and I will go out alone and some, one of us will take the older kids out and leave the younger two in the hotel room with DBSitter.

I don't think it matters that she has such an age diference from your kids. Maybe she'll find that being with such a younger set that she can act more childlike and not have to worry about acting grown up to impress any of her peers.

As stated above, make sure you have a power of care letter from her parents and the name of her DR. just in case so any visits to the ER, or walk-in clinics can get a refferrel. bring her medical card (just in case), a phone card for her to call home, and a list of rules from her parents so that you can see what she normally can and cannot do. use these as guidelines since it is Vacation and she will obviously not have to be in bed by 9 each night as she would at home. maybe one of you could take her to the pool while the younger ones are going to sleep.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[PaulaSue]

Thanks for the ideas!

I don't want to take her as a babysitter, just a kid to have fun. We are going with the GPs to so I have a sitter if needed.

I am a little scared to take her out of state with flying and all (although she has flown many more times than me and Dh) and the thought of having another responsibility but I know she would have a great time and it can work well.

She is coming to visit this summer and I think I will wait to decide after that trip.

You have given much to think about, thanks!!!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

This may be slightly OT but we take my sister with us EVERYWHERE. She is 15 andmy kids will be 5 and 2 this visit. We have never had any problems. We stick together and if someone doesn't want to go on a ride either me or DH stay with that child or enjoy another attraction while the others go on the "big" ride. My kids don't see my sister that often as there is a 2 hour distance between us but they look so forward to the trips. And my sister is just thrilled about coming with us. In fact, we did not take her on the Jan cruise with us and it was so wierd without her! She was a bit disappointed too.

We pay for everything and she brings spending money for souveniers, etc. She also will sit with one of my children on certain rides, hold their hands, buy them a snack, etc. It is very sweet and my kids enjoy the affection of someone other than us every once in a while.

I'm sure with an unrelated child along there could be some awkward moments, but they are short lived and forgotten quickly at WDW. Just make sure your whole family is in agreement and that you have all the permissions, ins cards, etc that you will need.

Our last trip my sister got an ear infection before we flew and it cost me $300 for the Dr. visit and prescription because I didn't have her card. YIKES - right before vacation! Also, you will need a notarized letter from her parents to permit her to fly with you. Have 2 originals just in case.