Thinking of leaving one child behind....

[nygrl]

I agree on the hair part I hope my little redhead has hair like that when she is older.

_____________________

To all. My daughter got left home when she was 16 months or so, and she doesn't remember it. She got so spoiled at Grandma's house. She is now 4. I just asked her. She doesn't remember. She is too excited about the trip that is coming up and the one that she went on last January. I think most of us here are not one time WDW visitors. We take multi-trips. Our first one was with no kids. Second was with one, and the last one was with both and grandparents. This one is with just the four of us. We've gone on trips to Chicago where we take the kids, don't take them. One trip was with Grandma, and she took just the older daughter. I don't see how Disney is any different.

Exactly! Disney is going to be there for a long time and I am sure that in the future when the little one is older he will have the time of his life. We too go every year and my son is almost 4 and will be going this oct. We did take him when he was 2 and he hated it and just now says he wants to go. I am sure NOW he will have a great time but i am glad that my older son (now 8) got to expierence disney and get to do EVERYTHING he wanted to without having to wait till his brother was older because lets face it going with a little one does hold you back from expierencing everything disney has to offer!

 

[chrisann]

ask your older son. You might be surprised, my 2 boys love each other soo much so we asked our older son if he wanted his brother to come with us. We reminded him that we might have to leave early or there might be some things we wouldn't be able to do if we brought his younger brother, and he repied that we had to bring him because he was part of our family and ohana and that means nobody gets left behind(Huge Lilo and Stitch fan)!!, he said he would miss him and our younger son would miss us too wouldn't he? That sealed it!!

 

[justhat]

If slowing your down is your fear, I have gone to Disney with my daughter at 3,4,6,and 9 months, and we're going back in April when she'll be almost 14 months, and I really can't say she slowed us down anymore than our 6yo cousin did. My daughter's 1st trip at almost 3 months was with extended family and friends, including our 6yo cousin, 2.5yo niece, and 6 month old cousin. The 6yo was honestly more of a problem than my daughter. Yeah, I had to change diapers and her parents didn't, but I also didn't have to deal with her wanting every souvenir she saw, wanting to go back to the pool, go on a certain ride, etc. My daughter just went wherever I did and was happy, and at almost 1 she's still like that. And she has always hated her stroller, so that wasn't really an option for us. Though I should add that even though my daughter rarely naps in a stroller at home (or naps at all at home for that matter), she did it fine in Disney, I guess cause there was so much she was doing and seeing that she was exhausted and just slept when she had to.

If Quinn is a happy, friendly kid, I'm sure he'd be no trouble on the trip. I realize you've pretty much decided to leave him, but if you're still thinking about it, know that he's not gonna slow you down, since you have another young child anyway.

And if you think a young child won't enjoy it or know you're gone, I have to disagree. My daughter enjoyed every trip. Yes, even at 3 months there were things she liked-like Spectromagic. She loves characters and many rides now too. Also, she has always known when I'm gone, since she was 6 weeks old, and would cry until I came back. She was a high-need infant and had to have things perfect or she'd be very unhappy. I too am a SAHM so I'm sure that is part of it. We left her in Flounder's Reef on the Disney cruise and she cried forever and was doing that cry/sniffle when I picked her up. Once I had her back, she was fine, so they do know the difference. I've never left her overnight since we have no family nearby and I wouldn't want to leave her with a stranger for more than a few hours. I realize that doesn't matter with you as you have your family there and Quinn is used to them so that's not a problem, but just as an FYI to others, babies know if mommy's not there.

But, no, I wouldn't call you a bad parent for leaving Quinn, but would I be able to do it, probably not. I'd just feel guilty the whole time, knowing he'd have a great time (yes, he'll be happy at home too), or seeing something I'd know he'd like and then sad he couldn't share it, all that. There's something great in taking a baby to Disney, totally magical IMO. When we watched a parade, the 6yo and 2.5yo were happy, but the look on my daughter's face when Pluto came out of the parade to pat her head was priceless. They get something out of it even that young, they just can't tell you.

 

[ebarj1098]

A friend of mine is going in two weeks. The now 2 yr old is staying behind because: She won't enjoy all the rides, they won't be able to enjoy all the rides, she'll slow down the rest, someone would have to miss something to sit with her, they might not get their money's worth if they miss out. The financier of the trip is the one who feels this way, therefore... that's the way it goes! I took my ds when he was 18 months and there was so much he loved. It wasn't perfect, but to me, neither is a vacation without one of the kids!

 

[devotedchristian]

Life is short and tomorrow isn't guaranteed.

 

[BettyCv]

we asked our older son if he wanted his brother to come with us. We reminded him that we might have to leave early or there might be some things we wouldn't be able to do if we brought his younger brother, and he repied that we had to bring him because he was part of our family

That is one of the sweetest things I've heard! Kids are capable of so much more than we give them credit for - even patience and compassion. You must be so proud of your son!

BettyCv

 

[BettyCv]

Life is short and tomorrow isn't guaranteed.

I was thinking the same thing. When everyone talks about taking the younger one in the future, they have to realize that it may never happen...

BettyCv

 

[goofy!]

oops, deleted

 

[justhat]

I have another suggestion for you, if you do end up taking Quinn. Why not get a babysitter for him for a day (if you're okay with leaving him with a new babysitter, I know not everyone is so it wouldn't work for them). That way you get alone time with your older son, plus you still get to have time with the baby too.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Well as someone who has NEVER had a babysitter for our seven year old (Yes, never - not by choice, lol), I can't understand why people leave kids at home when they go to Disney. Not saying that makes anyone a bad parent - of course not. I just don't get it. We'll be going in the spring with our 7 year old and our soon to be six month old. I couldn't imagine leaving one at home.

 

[Wahorn]

Life is short and tomorrow isn't guaranteed.

I totally agree with this statement! I wouldn't leave one of the kids behind while taking the other, especially to Disney. We are going to Disney World in April with our 4 yr old son and 17 mo. old son. I know for a fact that my 17 mo. old son will enjoy the trip.

One thought I had and it might sound bad...
What if something were to happen to you or your little one while you were away. How would you feel? How would your parents explain to your little one why they weren't on the trip with you. (I only bring this up because I've been looking into getting life insurance for me and my wife) I would feel horrible if something were to happen to the little one while we were away having "fun". Just something to think about.

 

[Madi100]

I totally agree with this statement! I wouldn't leave one of the kids behind while taking the other, especially to Disney. We are going to Disney World in April with our 4 yr old son and 17 mo. old son. I know for a fact that my 17 mo. old son will enjoy the trip.

One thought I had and it might sound bad...
What if something were to happen to you or your little one while you were away. How would you feel? How would your parents explain to your little one why they weren't on the trip with you. (I only bring this up because I've been looking into getting life insurance for me and my wife) I would feel horrible if something were to happen to the little one while we were away having "fun". Just something to think about.

There are a lot of "what ifs" we could apply to everything in our life. What if I'm going to get sick tomorrow and only have one year left to live? Should I take my daugther out of school and spend every waking moment with her so that she can know me as well as she can? What if we had decided to take our younger child with us on that trip and we didn't get to do as much because of the waiting in line for the parent swap and then that next year something happens to our older child? There are a lot of things I'd like to do and have in my life that I put off. If I lived my life based on "what ifs" I'd be going to someplace new and exciting every day of my life. I don't have the money for that. OR, I would stay at home locked inside afraid of those what ifs.

I don't think that most of us base our decision on "what ifs" and I don't think it's fair to try to make the OP feel bad because of them.

 

[nygrl]

There are a lot of "what ifs" we could apply to everything in our life. What if I'm going to get sick tomorrow and only have one year left to live? Should I take my daugther out of school and spend every waking moment with her so that she can know me as well as she can? What if we had decided to take our younger child with us on that trip and we didn't get to do as much because of the waiting in line for the parent swap and then that next year something happens to our older child? There are a lot of things I'd like to do and have in my life that I put off. If I lived my life based on "what ifs" I'd be going to someplace new and exciting every day of my life. I don't have the money for that. OR, I would stay at home locked inside afraid of those what ifs.

I don't think that most of us base our decision on "what ifs" and I don't think it's fair to try to make the OP feel bad because of them.

I agree totally and i am starting to get a little annoyed at all these people saying what if there is no tomorrow imo that is a horrible way to live and we are talking about a trip to disney here it is not a life or death situation and if something happens in the future and they cant go back with there little one then oh well! this thread is getting a little to deep. all the original poster wanted was a little support on her decision to leave her baby at home and i feel bad for her for ever posting.

 

[nygrl]

I totally agree with this statement! I wouldn't leave one of the kids behind while taking the other, especially to Disney. We are going to Disney World in April with our 4 yr old son and 17 mo. old son. I know for a fact that my 17 mo. old son will enjoy the trip.

One thought I had and it might sound bad...
What if something were to happen to you or your little one while you were away. How would you feel? How would your parents explain to your little one why they weren't on the trip with you. (I only bring this up because I've been looking into getting life insurance for me and my wife) I would feel horrible if something were to happen to the little one while we were away having "fun". Just something to think about.

oh my i just read this over and had to post again. that is horrible to think that way what if you go out to dinner and something happens to your kids while your gone my god you are basically saying never leave your kids anywhere because WHAT IF. i feel sorry for you if you live your life like this it must be a very scary way to live!

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

If you're just going out dinner you can be contacted and get back much faster than if you're all the way across the country.

 

[lclark0621]

I could not imagine not taking one child to Disney World!

We took my DS for his first trip when he ws 9 months old! He loved it! And we LOVED seeing his reaction to things. Those are memories I will never forget.

My DS's second trip will be at 21 months & we can't wait!

We will be going back to the hotel every day for some down time. But to be honest, that has nothing to do with my DS. We have always gone back to the hotel mid-day, even before we had my DS.

My DS will nap in his stroller or in my hip carrier when he is tired in the parks. We will eat when he is hungry, but I dont see that as a sacrafice, or slowing us down.

At night, if we want to stay in the parks we will. I know if my DS gets tired he will sleep on my shoulder.

We will start our days when he gets up in the morning.

I could just not imagine going to Disney World & not taking my DS!

If you are afraid of missing rides, use the baby swap option! Your older DS will get to ride those rides twice, once with Mommy & once with Daddy.

For me, leaving my DS behind while I go on vacation is just not an option for us. We just could not imagine enjoying ourselves, especially in a place like Disney World without him!

 

[LMC]

If you just have the two children then I would say take them both. Kids actually nap quite nicely in strollers! We took all three of our kids (6yo,2yo,6mo) at that time but had a grandmother along to help. We could have never done 3 kids and two adults. Now, that said, we have done a trip without our youngest. It was just going to be DH and I so we took our older two kids and left the then 18 mo old at home with his mammy. I did feel quilty leaving my baby for a week BUT, he is so strongwilled and was an extremely fussy baby that I knew if we took him the trip would be horrible for ALL of us. So we chose to do a trip for 4 and everyone had a blast. The baby even survived a week without mommy and there are no ill effects from the separation.
We just took all three of our kids to WDW in January (now ages 9,6,4 yo's) and EVERYONE had a great time. There were occasional meltdowns with the youngest but we lived and he did nap in the stroller!
Whatever you decide, I hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[Wahorn]

I don't base my decisions on "what ifs". Believe me, we never not go out without our kids in fear of what may happen. I was just stating that I would feel awful is something happened while we were away knowing that I had contemplated bringing them with us.

In my opinion, I don't think people should leave one family member behind, despite the age thing. I don't have a problem with parents leaving ALL their children for a getaway by themselves, but a trip to disney is something for all to enjoy, especially the kids. I can see maybe considering leaving an infant, say younger than 6 mos. home because they won't "enjoy it", but I still wouldn't do it. My son is 13 months right now and he responds great to disney characters/cartoons, etc. A trip to disney is mainly for the kids to enjoy and for the parents to share and observe in their enjoyment. Disneyworld for families is each member of your family to enjoy. If I wanted a relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of being a SAHM, then Disney wouldn't be my destination....probably the Carribean.

 

[Bonnie40]

I've been lurking in this thread and decided to add my 2 cents worth! I think the OP has pretty much decided to just take her older child, but I couldn't imagine doing that myself.

My angle is the one that's been stated before, what does that say to the older child who gets to go? Also, I believe the younger child will always wonder why they didn't take him along.

Now, this opinion is coming from a SAHM whose children are now almost ready to leave home (18, 15, 13) and I wish I could have all the years back again to enjoy our vacations. We have never not vacationed with our kids, and they realize how important our time together is. Many people I know have teenagers who would rather not spend that time together - not mine!

Take both your boys. Enjoy the time and make wonderful memories of your trip. My youngest doesn't really remember his early Disney trips, but we all love to tell him stories of the things he did when he was little.

I don't think I've expressed my thoughts very well, but to sum up...the time you have with your little ones goes by so quickly and I wouldn't suggest missing out on a great opportunity as a family. That's it!

 

[MrsPete]

I would take both children. No question about it. Sure, the younger one won't be able to do as much, and yes, he will slow you down; however, he will know later that he wasn't included on this trip, and he will want to know why.

Youngests are notoriously fussy about what they often see as their "second class status". Every single time she opens the photo album, she demands to know why she wasn't taken on our first Disney family vacation. The fact that she wasn't born yet doesn't seem to satisfy her!