Waiting in long lines

[tiff211]

DD 4 absolutely HATES to wait in lines. She whines something awful and this is when it's two or three people ahead of us at the bank! I have been taking her to the market, post office etc. so she can get use to the lines but she's not used to them yet. I plan to bring snacks, bubbles, her videonow so she can be entertained while waiting but does anyone have any suggestions how how to deal with impatient little ones in the queue?

 

[califred]

Get fastpasses to those things you can if there is a long line, b/c then you will have a shorter wait, if you're going when it's crowded.

We went for our first trip last March and noticed that there is a lot to look at in most of the Queues.

 

[SandrainNC]

I thought we would have a problem with the lines as well with our son (he was 3 when we went late November last year), but he did really well. I think because most of the lines continuously move that helped. When we were in a line that you had to stand still for a bit, he made us lift him up by his hands over and over. And sometimes we held him for a while as well. Of course he occassionally whined a little bit, but overall it was ok.

Definintely use Fastpass when possible though.

Sandra

 

[hokiefan33]

DD 4 absolutely HATES to wait in lines. She whines something awful and this is when it's two or three people ahead of us at the bank! I have been taking her to the market, post office etc. so she can get use to the lines but she's not used to them yet. I plan to bring snacks, bubbles, her videonow so she can be entertained while waiting but does anyone have any suggestions how how to deal with impatient little ones in the queue?

Yes, here's a suggestion. When they misbehave in the lines, long or not, give them 1 warning, then if they do it again, a nice firm spanking will often quiet a child down. Snacks, bubbles, videonow, those all cure the symptoms, but not the underlying problem, which is she needs to be taught to wait patiently like everyone else. We went when our DD was 4 (and also with our DS7 at the time), and had no problem waiting in lines, but she knew that there would be NO misbehaving, or a spanking was coming down the pipe, not just something to keep her entertained. There's a big difference between parenting them and just simply diverting their attention.

 

[tiff211]

Yes, here's a suggestion. When they misbehave in the lines, long or not, give them 1 warning, then if they do it again, a nice firm spanking will often quiet a child down. Snacks, bubbles, videonow, those all cure the symptoms, but not the underlying problem, which is she needs to be taught to wait patiently like everyone else. We went when our DD was 4 (and also with our DS7 at the time), and had no problem waiting in lines, but she knew that there would be NO misbehaving, or a spanking was coming down the pipe, not just something to keep her entertained. There's a big difference between parenting them and just simply diverting their attention.

She doesn't really misbehave, just asks over and over when is it our turn, are we almost there, my legs are so tired, this is taking forever, how come no one is moving, etc. Really works the nerves after awhile thus the need for distractions and things to keep her occupied. I guess it doesn't help that her father is impatient as well!!! LOL!

 

[sleepyone]

We waited over an hour for Splash Mountain on our last trip to WDW (long story). My daughter and I found a lot to talk about. I don't know if you've been to WDW before but, it's not just the standard cattle lines. At WDW the wait in the line can be kind of fun; it's part of the attraction. While waiting for Winnie the Pooh ride both my dd's wanted me to read the "books" on the wall. There's so much to look at while you're waiting.

 

[tiff211]

Oh ok, I have gone twice before, once on my honeymoon, so DH and I were gazing into each other's eyes the whole time in line. The next time, we took my oldest DD and my DN so they entertained each other in line. It sounds like the lines are self entertaining for the little ones!! Good to know. Thanks!

 

[ducklite]

I'd make up little laminated cards. Probably four would be a good number. At the beginning of the day she gets them. Each time she asks "how much longer" or whines about a line, you take one. At the end of the day she gets a treat (predetermined, and small--maybe a scoop of ice cream for one, the ice cream with sprinkles for two, add whipped cream for three, etc.) for each one she has left.

As soon as they are all gone you leave the park, regardless of the time of day, period.

Make the rules very clear before the trip starts. By giving her something concrete (the little tags) she'll be able to keep track of her behaviour. By offering an incentive and consequences, it will reinforce postive and negative behaviours appropriately. You MUST be willing to carry out the leaving the parks part, or it won't work. My guess is taht after the first time you leave for the day, you'll never have to face that issue again. By not having a consequence as well as a reward you aren't solving the problem.

BTW--IMHO spanking in this situation is uncalled for and inappropriate.

Anne

 

[sleepyone]

I agree with ducklite. We drove all the way to WDW last year and I told dd if she whined, fought with siblings in car then we would stop where ever we were & turn around for home. We were willing to follow through and that is key; you have to follow through. There were no complaints! We did have activities, distractions, food etc. for the drive and we stopped frequently.

 

[Bird-Mom]

Yes, here's a suggestion. When they misbehave in the lines, long or not, give them 1 warning, then if they do it again, a nice firm spanking will often quiet a child down. Snacks, bubbles, videonow, those all cure the symptoms, but not the underlying problem, which is she needs to be taught to wait patiently like everyone else.

toh

could you please tell me how anger, humiliation and violence teaches patience?

there are lots of things to look at while waiting. you could make up games like counting people with blue hats, mickey shirts, etc or play "i spy"

 

[metta4]

Yes, here's a suggestion. When they misbehave in the lines, long or not, give them 1 warning, then if they do it again, a nice firm spanking will often quiet a child down. Snacks, bubbles, videonow, those all cure the symptoms, but not the underlying problem, which is she needs to be taught to wait patiently like everyone else. We went when our DD was 4 (and also with our DS7 at the time), and had no problem waiting in lines, but she knew that there would be NO misbehaving, or a spanking was coming down the pipe, not just something to keep her entertained. There's a big difference between parenting them and just simply diverting their attention.

I really have to disagree with the above post. I don't feel that this sort of response is at all appropriate.

I think there are several factors going for your daughter..her age being one. Not that it excuses any behavior issues , but it does help to put it in some context. Yes, our roll as parents is to guide and teach, love and nuture..I believe we do that largely by example..expecting No misbehaving and the punishment being a spanking, IMHO is completely inappropriate response.

Keep in mind when kids are at WDW it is very overstimulating...not to mention adding the factor of being utterly and completely excited about the experience. Given this, kids may even have less patience then before. I think that setting clear expectations before you go to the park is a great idea. If she completely melts down ...take a break...go back to the resort/leave ..find a quite place to sit and spend some time together. I think that taking items to help pass the time you are in line is also great. I plan on taking bubbles and other small toys to help pass the time. Use a fast pass when you can. If the line is really long, explain to you daughter that if she really wants to go on the ride that she will have to wait..and it might be awhile...give her the option as to whether or not she wants to wait. Once in line, if it becomes too much, you can always look for a CM and ask them to show you the way out.

Take your cues from your daughter, don't try to put too much into one day. Try to hit the most popular rides during the early hrs b/4 the park gets to crazy.

Most of all remember that this is suppossed to be a fun and wonderful experience. Does this mean you don't redirect and consequence misbehavior when appropriate....NO...but it means that you look at the situation from the eyes of your child and you try to provide the direction she needs in a loving and caring manner.

Wishing you a wonderful trip.....

edited to add: I really like the suggestion of the positives being given too!! And yes..follow through is essential..if you say it, you must be willing to follow though and do it!

here is a website with some cool age specific activities too
http://www.momsminivan.com/

 

[RF536]

While we are planning our 1st trip to Disney in Dec, we have season passes to Cedar Point. What we did last summer for DS 3 was explain that we needed to share the ride with every one else and wait our turn. If he whined or did not wait appropriately , we gave 1 warning if it continued we left the line and immediately found a bench and put him in time out. This worked well, and we only left the line once during the several trips we made; after that he knew we were serious and a warning was all it took.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

We have a no whinning rule at WDW. If there is a problem just tell us what it is and we will try to fix it but NO whinning. Try to keep her well fed, hydrated, and rested. Be sure to use a stroller and she will be ridding a lot and perhaps be ready to walk in line. Be willing to return to the room if she is over tired. TAke those diversion but realized that the lines are often themed and foster lots of conversation. Hitting her for not being patient at 4 is not the answer. I am often not patient and hate to stand in lines too. Wonder if DS or DH will hit me???

I too agree to use fast pass and be at the parks at opening to avoid all the lines you can!!!

Good luck,
Jordan's mom

 

[MrsPete]

Snacks, bubbles, videonow, those all cure the symptoms, but not the underlying problem, which is she needs to be taught to wait patiently like everyone else.

Sounds harsh, but I can't say that I disagree. Kids have to learn to wait patiently without being entertained every minute. I don't see impatience in lines as a spankable offense (we reserve that for willful misbehavior), but being removed from the line or even the park would make the point -- hold your ground, don't give a second chance, and you'll only have to do it once.

Make the most of early entry, try to do an e-ticket night, use fast passes, hit the big rides during parades/shows -- in other words, do all you can to minimize the lines, but when you must wait, expect good behavior.

Ducklite's reward idea is a good one too; it provides a tangible reinforcement for the child, which can be useful during the learning process.

If she has serious, serious problems waiting in lines then this might not be the right time to take her to Disney. Perhaps understanding that you can make a Disney trip ONLY WHEN she shows she can wait patiently, then she'll be motivated to learn. One thing I've learned for certain: kids will work for what they want.

 

[lulu71]

I'd make up little laminated cards. Probably four would be a good number. At the beginning of the day she gets them. Each time she asks "how much longer" or whines about a line, you take one. At the end of the day she gets a treat (predetermined, and small--maybe a scoop of ice cream for one, the ice cream with sprinkles for two, add whipped cream for three, etc.) for each one she has left.

As soon as they are all gone you leave the park, regardless of the time of day, period.

Make the rules very clear before the trip starts. By giving her something concrete (the little tags) she'll be able to keep track of her behaviour. By offering an incentive and consequences, it will reinforce postive and negative behaviours appropriately. You MUST be willing to carry out the leaving the parks part, or it won't work. My guess is taht after the first time you leave for the day, you'll never have to face that issue again. By not having a consequence as well as a reward you aren't solving the problem.

BTW--IMHO spanking in this situation is uncalled for and inappropriate.

Anne

Anne - What a great idea!!! I nominate you for Nanny 911!!!

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

.... a nice firm spanking will often quiet a child down. .

Aprils Fool's?

 

[kdtwiss]

I have to ask that also - was that April Fool's?
I apologize i advace if I offend anyone - spanking children really just riles me up.
I can not see a nice firm spanking as something that would quiet a child down. MOre than likely they would begin sobbing and crying....unless they of course are FRIGHTENED of further consequences and thus are quieted by a spanking. Although I don't really want to get into a debate on the merits of spanking, I do believe the only thing you teach a child by hitting them is that - I am bigger than you, therefore if I don't like what you do it is ok for me to hit you. How on earth does violence teach your child anything? It may take 100 explanations of patience and or consideration for a child to really GET IT, and the spanking may be a bit quicker - but while the explanation will sink in, the spanking is just a quick fix. Children never learn WHY they need to wait, or that other people in line have the same feelings or anything. They learn to keep their mouth shut or they may get hit/humiliated. Would you even consider hitting your spouse if he/she was annoying you? I doubt it. Your child is no less a person than you or your spouse. They are no less hurt, humiliated or confused than you would be if your dh hauled off and smacked you in public for voicing you opinion.

Do I have children? Yes - 4, do they misbehave - sometimes. But because I believe in teaching my children as much as I can about the world, and what is safe and or acceptable I don't have too much trouble. My house has never been babyproofed, I have watched them like hawks and explained 50, 100, 1000 times if necessary why they can not do/touch/eat something.I have never had a play pen, crib, baby gate,, despite having open stairs. NONE of my children have ever fallen down the stairs. None have ever touched an electric outlet. And though they are certainly at an age where they hear friends and others etc. say "bad words" none of them has ever said a bad word, not even the frequently used - stupid or dumb. I have never had to raise my hand to any of them. They know WHY some things are unacceptable/unsafe and they are able to make CHOICES not to do them. I am hoping by raising them to recognize how to make good decisions, they will be able to do just that when they are older- when in situations that could be serious, such as those involving drugs, or choosing the right people to befriend. I think when you spank your child you deny them the opportunity to learn and grow. You lose an opportuity to teach your child something of value.
I would say - your child is 4 years old, expect a bit of impatience, do bring distractions, don't expect miracles. Certainly you can speak to her about being patient and considerate, but don't set yourself up for disappointment by expecting too much.

 

[DisneyMomOfThree]

toh

could you please tell me how anger, humiliation and violence teaches patience?

I agree anger, humiliation and violence does not teach them anything.
However, a hiney pop in love and privacy does wonders for a child who is disrespectful in how they are talking to their parents or if they are in direct disobedience. Asking questions or being tired is another thing, answering and resting is the cure for those problems.

 

[Jacksmom99]

However, a hiney pop in love and privacy does wonders for a child who is disrespectful in how they are talking to their parents or if they are in direct disobedience.

I'm sorry, no matter what 'cutsie' name you place on it, it's still hitting another human being, and a much smaller one than you.

 

[Bird-Mom]

However, a hiney pop in love and privacy does wonders for a child who is disrespectful in how they are talking to their parents or if they are in direct disobedience. Asking questions or being tired is another thing, answering and resting is the cure for those problems.

hitting in love? hitting is violent and doesn't teach anything except it is ok to hurt someone when you don't like their behavior. there are so many more positive ways to discipline children.