Telling the kids

[DisKim]

I wasn't quite sure where to post this, but I was wondering if anyone else has gone to WDW so many times that their kids are hardly excited when they tell them they're going again. That happened to me this morning. We've been planning for about 2 months now. We set up an Easter egg scavenger hunt. The last egg had the note in it telling the kids we are going to WDW in July. Along with it was a bag of t-shirts, stuffed animals, Disney Dollars and theme park playsets. The kids hardly showed any excitement! Have I spoiled them too much? Has anyone else had this happen? I worked so hard!! I think at the very least I should get tagged today because I'm so disappointed.

 

[kilee]

My son (11) takes for granted going to Disney. I know he does. We go on the average twice a year. I think he thinks this is normal. I know when he gets older he'll see how special these trips really were. He doesn't get real excited anymore either. But once we are there, it all sets in and he always has a great time!!!

I think that was a great way of telling them BTW. I'm sure once July is here they'll sing a different tune.

 

[DisKim]

Thanks. You made me feel better. I was thinking the same thing. Once we get there, I think they'll be excited. The reason we are going so often is because they are growing so fast and we want as much fun family time together as possible.

 

[slo]

I sometimes believe we have spoiled our DD to much when it comes to WDW. This year we are traveling with our new DD who will be 13months in Sept. I was apprehensive about taking a large WDW trip so I told my DD#1 that we will go to Orlando 2 days of which one day will be Sea World (she's never gone) and one day the MK. She was hysterically upset because we will not be going to EPCOT "I want to see the fireworks" she begins screaming.

I thought to myself, "there are so many kids that never get to go and here my kid is ticked off because we are going 1 day instead of 6". Well, needless to say, we will be there 6 days now because I caved and DH and I agreeded to go longer and hopefully DD#2 will be okay (no wonder why she is spoiled about WDW, I cave to easily).

So, I understand, you try to do the best for your children and then sometimes wonder what the deal is when they don't appreciate it.

Your children will be more excited when the times gets closer and when you get excited, so will they.

Have a good holiday today!!!

 

[DisKim]

It's so true. Our kids are so lucky. So many kids don't get family time nowadays. I teach high school. When I mention that I'm going to WDW to my students, so many of them tell me they've never been there.

 

[Skylarr29]

i agree , I have a dsd and I work hard to do very special things and she doesnt always seem as happy as I thought. I just don't think she realizes it. One day when she grows up those special memories will be there and when she has children hopefully she will try to do the same things and see how special they are. Im gonna keep trying lol.

 

[noseybuddy]

I also know what you mean. My kids are 15 and 13 now. They just expect to go on trips. Yes, DH and I did spoil them. I don't mind giving to my kids I just want them to appreciate it. They are at an age where they should understand the value of a dollar and appreciate how hard their Dad works to give them everything. When I was growing up my biggest trip was to the beach. My kids have been to DW several times, to the Islands and on a cruise. They just don't realize how lucky they are. I still make them Easter baskets. I put plenty of candy in there and money for them to go buy what they want. No even a thank you did Dh and I get. I guess I will never learn!

 

[DisKim]

I have to add that things got a little better today. I gave my DD8 the Birnbaum book for kids and she got very excited b/c she realized that even though we have gone several times, we still have a lot to see! Now she's reading her book and listening to her Disney cd. I feel better now. I just want her to appreciate what she has and not act totally spoiled.

 

[RedShorts]

It's the only place our kids want to go to.
I didn't think they were too excited this time when I told them and I felt a little sad, but they got out the old photos the other evening and are now counting the days - just like me.
My DS will be 17 and thinks this will be the last trip with us for a few years, so he wants to make the most of it.
My DD is 14 and has a big cheesy smile just at the mention of WDW I expect next time she'll ask if one of her buddies can come if her brother isn't coming
Chris

 

[LoveThatDarnMouse]

I'm LMAO right now because we apparently had the exact same idea! We did the Easter Eggs with little notes in them this morning to surprise my 11 year old and 7 year old and the baby who could really care less. We, however, had the opposite reaction~I guess because we haven't been there for almost 3 years and the 7 year old barely remembers that trip. Another thing is, we're taking our kids out of school for this trip so that is a MIGHTY BIG thing in their book~LOL.

 

[tinkerbell60]

We just got back last Thursday from out trip to WDW - I had done the same thing with a scavenger hunt etc about 2 weeks before we left. I was a little disappointed with the lack of enthusiasm, but after a few days - it picked up. I think kids just have a difficult time when things aren't immediate - I am sure they will get more excited as it sinks in and the time gets closer. We had a great time, and can't wait to go back. Don't let it get to you!!! T

 

[dizagain]

Happy Easter! Don't let them get you down...you know they'll be so thankful when the time comes. I guess we're all guilty of spoiling the kids...hard not to. I do try REALLY HARD, though, to keep some things rare and special. My girls (8 and 10) haven't really gotten to take big vacations much yet - just visits to Grandma and beach trips. They were very grateful last year for the first WDW trip and are looking forward to another in '05. I just know yours will be excited too...keep your happy thoughts!

 

[DisKim]

I think kids just have a difficult time when things aren't immediate

I agree. My DD3 especially doesn't get the idea of waiting. I think they'll be excited when we get there.

 

[marv]

This is our first trip, and my children have only been getting really excited in the last week. At this precise moment their climing the walls. We booked over a year ago, i am glad that they have been calm over it, as i don't think i would have stade sane if they had been too excited. Actually, i have had to cope with myself not sleeping, waking up at 5am and not eating.
Don't worry they will have a wonderful time.

Marv

 

[HANDYMOM]

This thread has really made me feel better. Not because my kids aren't enthusiastic but because I won't be able to go as often as many of you do, the upside being that it will always be special to them. DS's (4 and 2) still have no idea that in 26 days they'll be meeting Mickey. We're driving and we're not telling them until we pull up(they think we're just going to a far away beach).

My little guy watches the promotional vacation planning video once or twice a day! I am getting concerned that he'll explode when he realizes we're there.

 

[eeyore&mine]

Like many this was a Easter surprise for our children to! A trip in September (missing the first three days of school)! When we told our son who is 5 he couldn't stop smiling and asking how many sleeps before we go!!! (need I say More) On the other hand our daughter who is 10 just smiled and said cool! Needless to say I was alittle disappointed! Yes they have been to WDW the last 4 years! Yes I would say they are Spoiled! BUT this is DISNEY for God sake!!!!!! I guess I'll wait till it gets closer maybe emotions will change and the magic will sink in!!!!
My DH thinks I'm crazy, but to me it Truly is the most MAGICAL place on earth and who better to spend time there with, then your Family!

 

[Vavasmon]

We did an egg hunt with clues to tell the girls (DD9 and her cousin age 9) about their trip right before school starts in late August. At first they thought it was just a puzzle. Then I gave them matching duffle bags, Epcot passports, autograph books, and a tee-shirt. A few minutes later (they still didn't seem excited) it sunk in that we were really going (They thougt it was justa game!!).

DD cried yesterday when we came home (she thought it would be Dec 2005 before she saw WDW again). Her cousin has never been (neither has my sister). The trip is a 10th birthday gift for her (she will be 10 a week after we return). We will celebrate her virtual birthday on my sister's orignal due date (when we will still be at WDW).

They are so excited. They started revising my first cut itinary already.

It will be just the 4 girls on this trip.

 

[poohlover]

Well, we did the egg scavenger hunt yesterday also!! My kids DS 13, DS 10, DS 8, & DD 6 all got the clues to the one that tells them to turn on the TV...on comes the vacation planning video...all I get is "Mom do we have to watch this again???"...guess I watch it too many times for it to sink in.

We actually had to tell them we are leaving for WDW in 1 week!! Now my DD is excited, the boys are like OK...they were more astounded when my parents came over...the kids came running with the news of a trip & my Mom says "why that's amazing, we are going to WDW too!!!" Now THAT was a surprise for them!

This morning at breakfast when we talk about packing & planes & rest. we will be doing...NOW they are getting excited!

 

[AMaloy314]

I think taking things for granted is just part of being a kid. After all, how many of us thanked our parents back when they were making cupcakes for our school parties, or driving us back and forth (and back and forth) to sporting activities, or rearranging their schedules to match ours? It's just part of being a kid to assume that they are entitled. I'm not sure it is really spoiling them when we teach them to expect that the best case will happen. Besides, even if they don't seem excited now, just wait until they are walking through the gate at WDW. No kid can be unmoved then!

I think I'll go call my folks to say thanks for everything that I didn't say thanks for back then!

 

[DisKim]

Well, we did the egg scavenger hunt yesterday also!! My kids DS 13, DS 10, DS 8, & DD 6 all got the clues to the one that tells them to turn on the TV...on comes the vacation planning video...all I get is "Mom do we have to watch this again???"...guess I watch it too many times for it to sink in.

I had to laugh! My kids are the same way! I thought turning on the planning video was a good idea!