WDW a "family Place"....HA!!!!

[DawnM]

Kids crying?

Really?

Just because they are at Disney doesn't mean they won't get upset when they don't get what they want, etc....

There is only so much "magic" available in the World!

My then 5 year old threw a major FIT when he found out he had to eat the sandwiches we brought rather than the sweet and sour chicken at the Land that he wanted. I am sure people thought we were terrible, but we don't give in just because a kid cries or demands something.

If a parent is outright physically abusing his/her child, then I can see the complaining.

Dawn

 

[kimmer]

as a mom of three kids, 5, 3, and 2, this thread reminds me of one of my favourite quotes:

I was a great parent. Then I had kids.

 

[lpereira]

as a mom of three kids, 5, 3, and 2, this thread reminds me of one of my favourite quotes:

I was a great parent. Then I had kids.

Yeah right? I just knew other people were so stupid. I mean how hard could it be?! You're the adult and they are the child. They'll listen if you are confident and stand your ground. Here I am in my 40s with a 3 year old and I've discovered they changed the product since the last time I looked at other people's children. The children are what has changed- not that it isn't as easy as I thought it was. Those little buggers get the jump on you before they are even born and then you spend the rest of their childhood trying to catch up.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Yeah right? I just knew other people were so stupid. I mean how hard could it be?! You're the adult and they are the child. They'll listen if you are confident and stand your ground. Here I am in my 40s with a 3 year old and I've discovered they changed the product since the last time I looked at other people's children. The children are what has changed- not that it isn't as easy as I thought it was. Those little buggers get the jump on you before they are even born and then you spend the rest of their childhood trying to catch up.

Ain't that the truth!

Before I had my DD, I would watch my SIL cook a separate meal for my nephew and think "MY child will eat whatever I give her. I will not cater to her." Well, God blessed me with a child with bipolar and a sensory disorder. Both affect her eating, and we've struggled so much with it. I have learned I have to be flexible in what I offer her to eat. Her eating is improving as we treat the psychological issues. I almost cried at the table on Thanksgiving when she ate turkey for the first time in 5 years.

 

[jpeka65844]

Yeah right? I just knew other people were so stupid. I mean how hard could it be?! You're the adult and they are the child. They'll listen if you are confident and stand your ground. Here I am in my 40s with a 3 year old and I've discovered they changed the product since the last time I looked at other people's children. The children are what has changed- not that it isn't as easy as I thought it was. Those little buggers get the jump on you before they are even born and then you spend the rest of their childhood trying to catch up.

I'm not completely sure about this. I am a parent of a 4 y.o. with another on the way and we very much have that attitude about our child-rearing. We've taught my son to respect adults and that when Mommy and Daddy gives you directions, you follow them. I am the adult and it's my job to make sure my children never get the drop on me. But I could change my tune when mine become teenagers.


Yes, children HAVE definitely changed but it's my firm belief that it's MOSTLY b/c parenting styles have changed. I teach elementary school and I see so many parent who are unwilling to say "NO" or dole out consequences for behavior b/c they're afraid of harming their delicate snowflake.

Now, I'm talking typical children here. I'm not talking kids with Asperger's, autism, sensory disorders, or the other things that can interfere with how a kid (and parents) can go about their daily discipline.

But I'm off topic here.....in his 5 trips to WDW, DS has really only had one large meltdown. And thank goodness it was in the hotel room and not in the presence of God and everyone!!!! Whew! DH and I had one our first trip before DS was born, but now we understand each other's expectations and have been dandy ever since!

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

A good friend of mine has a line in her email sig that I love and try to keep in mind:

"Be kinder than necessary – everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

It's like Stephen Covey talked about -- a dad got on the subway and his kids were rambunctious while he just sat there, ignoring them. Finally someone said something to the guy and he looked up for the first time as if realizing what was around him, and apologized. He said they'd just come from the hospital where his wife had died. Just shifted everyone's perspective.

You never know the story behind the snippet you're seeing of someone else's life!

 

[crisi]

Now, I'm talking typical children here. I'm not talking kids with Asperger's, autism, sensory disorders, or the other things that can interfere with how a kid (and parents) can go about their daily discipline.

But when we judge other families at WDW, we don't know the circumstances. You can't see autism or sensory disorders. You don't understand that "Dad" is really Uncle Bill because Dad died of cancer a year ago. Or that the family is blended and having a hard time adjusting.

Yeah, there are crummy parents. And difficult kids. But it makes everyone's life better if when we see others we try and remember that we don't know the whole story behind the tantrum or the sharp words.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

But when we judge other families at WDW, we don't know the circumstances. You can't see autism or sensory disorders. You don't understand that "Dad" is really Uncle Bill because Dad died of cancer a year ago. Or that the family is blended and having a hard time adjusting.

Yeah, there are crummy parents. And difficult kids. But it makes everyone's life better if when we see others we try and remember that we don't know the whole story behind the tantrum or the sharp words.

Precisely. You can't know the whole story from a one time encounter. So you can't judge.

I know people have judged my parenting as I am dealing with my DD's mood swings. And I know I've been judged both ways. Some people see my DD misbehaving and assume I'm a permissive parent who has never told my child "no", which couldn't be further from the truth. Others see me removing my child from a situation, giving her a timeout, or otherwise disciplining her and think I'm being too harsh. And I have heard both types of comments from strangers in public places. I can't win.

 

[iwrbnd]

Midwestern Scandinavians. Just want to get along. Don't try and make dinner plans with them either...."Where do you want to eat?" "Wherever." Not that they don't have strong feelings, just don't need to share them.

OMG! That is sooo true and sooo my family!

 

[Legendofthehawk]

Our last trip was full of these kind of moments. We based our trip on how my son behaved at 1 and half the previous year (which was lovely!), and the same style of going through WDW didn't work. He was in full three year old mode.

It didn't help that he wasnt accustomed to the heat what so ever. We didnt have any tips or tricks. By the end our trip, we really got the hang of it. But not before two epic meltdowns.

By our worse moment was probably at DTD on halloween. We got there early and it was PACKED with people. The candy lines were extremely long and again, in the heat = not a good idea. Not even a three year who hasnt ever really been allowed candy wanted to put up with it. We took him into a toy store to cool off while we got our plan of attack, which was to go back to the resort, except he didn't want to leave. He wanted to play with Mr potato head parts, but not actually have them to play with at home.

He kept dropping to the ground instead of walking and refused to move. We tried to let him rest it out if he needed, but after a half hour, he'd still refuse to move. So I'd have to pick him up fireman style over my shoulder to try to get back to the car. All the while with him screaming "I WANT TO WALK!". When I would put him down to walk, he'd just sit on the ground.
Husband held my daughter and gave me the stroller, which I put my son into. He was screaming loud enough on the way to the car that people would turn and stare. I was practically running and pushing the stroller to the car. It was really embarrassing.


I don't blame my son for acting out. Just like I don't blame those kids or the parents at WDW for kids acting out. You try to apply things that work at home at WDW, and can be surprised when they don't work. Different situations, different plans of attack. Also, probably one of the worst things that we could have done is try to have our kids have fun. A lot of parents do this, as it seems like a no brainer. I know that sounds weird and strange.. but WDW is fun enough as it is. If they miss a character this year, it will be there in the next. If the line is too long on one ride, try again later. There is no need to rush everything they are doing in order to make that end, or any end.

Giving them everything they want because its vacation is also a bad idea. Which seems strange, because you'd think they'd be angels in that case. lol. Multiply that by more sugar they see at WDW then they do at home, and its a shock.

The bad moments really stick out.. but the good moments seem to go un noticed.

 

[JB2K]

We are just wrapping up our first ever visit to WDW, and I have to admit the place is incredible.

Maybe the best marketing that Disney does is to convince you of what a great "family environment" it is. In the last 4 days I have seen more families that were:
a) Screaming at their kids.
b) Parents yelling at each other.
c) Parents refusing to talk to each other on the bus.
d) Adults being rude to each other....
(I ran into one at the pool, but that is another story....a lovely lady)
e) Kids crying
f) you get the idea

Now we have also met A TON of friendly people, but until you have been here I don't think your realize how stressful this "vacation" can be.

It's been very memorable both good and "interesting", but I do look forward to coming back someday.

Guy

I wouldn't let it get you down, OP -- chances are, the majority of those you encountered (with nasty behavior), never did any advance planning and simply thought of WDW as "a big amusement park near Orlando, Florida"...

 

[my4devils]

We have met some really great families too and sympathize with the ones going through their meltdown moments.

We have had two- one on each trip. The first was due to my then 10 month old DS who started vomiting in the MK at firework time. We couldnt move so I did hit some people with the stroller trying to get out. I apologized to one lady who turned and saw my puke covered kid. She then left her own family and started to clear a path for me and got me to Main Street. What an angel- I cant thank her enough!!

Second was trying to get my then 6 year old DS onto POTC. He was in full blown panic mode as we were trying to convince him it wasnt a water ride. Oh what everyone around us must have thought. They didnt see him burst into giggles when he saw what the ride entailed and loved every second of it as we knew he would. Oh well!! I guess a parent can do worse than dragging their kid on a ride at Disney World!!

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

But when we judge other families at WDW, we don't know the circumstances. You can't see autism or sensory disorders. You don't understand that "Dad" is really Uncle Bill because Dad died of cancer a year ago. Or that the family is blended and having a hard time adjusting.

Oh, this is so true. My kids get "smile at mommy!"s and the like all the time at WDW. Well, my niece's actual mommy (my cousin) is an alcoholic who moves from guy to guy and place to place and doesn't care all that much about her daughter (who lives with her grandparents who can't do too much "fun" stuff at their age). DS4's biological mother was killed in a car accident, and his dad is bi-polar, so I am raising him. Now, my kids are usually well-behaved, but they have their moments. While I don't put up with a lot of that (I got my USMC Captain gpa's sense of discipline), I know that there will be issues because of these things.