WDW and a mother's helper

[huey duey & luey]

Yesterday we took the kids to see Bear in the Big Blue House Live. They absolutely loved the show. However, I got us to thinking that our upcoming Disney trip may actually be more difficult then we were actually thinking. We are thinking about asking me Niece (15)nto come along as a mother's helper. Has anyone done this.? We would pay for her trip, but should she be responsible for her own spending money? Also if we are paying for her trip do we actually need to pay her?
Thanks for any help
Tara

 

[momof2inPA]

I think you should pay for her room, meals, and a couple souvenirs as a way to say thanks.

 

[ohanafamily]

15 YO Nieces work cheap, I would say you need to pay her something, even just a token. Especially since she will be more-or-less tied to the children and not able to ride all of the rides she will want to. Besides, it will probably be mostly spent on stuff at WDW.....

JMHO

 

[nealymouse]

We almost did this a few years ago. What we were going to do was pay for the entire trip, a small amount of pocket money (we were going to give 50.00 to 100.). We were also going to let her ride the rides she wanted to because you cant take a teen to Disney and say " Oh the R&R rollar coaster is out LOL)

But she was going to have to watch the kids when we went out at night maybe two times. If DH and I wanted to ride a ride she would have to do the baby exchange with us so she could ride.

As we were palnning the trip she decided she was not going to do it. Never found out why.

 

[mrsv98]

Last Feb, we took our 16 yo niece with us and it was great to have an extra pair of hands, especially on the long drive. We stayed in a DVC villa so adding her didn't cost us any extra. We bought her pass to WDW as "payment" and obviously paid for her meals and such. It was really nice to have her with us and we were able to go out on our own a couple of times. We also gave her some freedom and she went to MGM on her own (we cleared that we her parents before we left.)

This year she will be in college (yea for her, boo for us!) so we will use the kids clubs once or twice to have some Mama and Daddy time! If you can manage it, I say it is well worth it.

 

[crz4mm2]

My younger sister babysat for us every summer when my kids were younger. She was also invited on every family vacation we ever took. She understood that it was partly her 'job' to help keep track of the kids and she was perfectly happy to do that. We paid her way everywhere we went, paid for all her food and paid for most of her souveniers. We did not give her additional "pay". She was fine with that. She thought she was getting the best deal (and she probably was) because she got to go places her brother never got to go. SHe was born when I was 16 and my hubby and I were dating. She is like our first born
Have a great time! Take the neice. It will be soooo much nicer for you to have help.
Cathy

 

[zurgswife]

We took a babysitter (15) a few years back...paid park tickets, air fare, food, room, and a few souveniors plus some cash. I think about $100 for the week.. We did make sure she got time alone every now and then....but she enjoyed being part of our familiy so it was great for all of us....

 

[CEDmom]

Originally posted by huey duey & luey
Yesterday we took the kids to see Bear in the Big Blue House Live. They absolutely loved the show. Tara

Completely off topic, but we were at the show yesterday as well. As we left I saw a Mom with a triple stroller. Maybe it was you. Just wanted to say hi



Kate

 

[DoeWDW]

When our kids were 3 and 4 we took our 15 yo babysitter with us. Her family didn't have much and she probably would never have gotten to Disney any other way. We paid everything for her and bought her some souvenirs and made sure we had a full set of pictures developed to give her.

She was shy and didn't want to go off by herself and we never left her alone with the kids for the evening (we were just too tired!). She had a great time and we enjoyed having her with us.

It was a wonderful experience and I'd highly recommend it! That extra pair of hands really comes in handy!!

 

[huey duey & luey]

Originally posted by CEDmom
Completely off topic, but we were at the show yesterday as well. As we left I saw a Mom with a triple stroller. Maybe it was you. Just wanted to say hi



Kate

Hi Kate
I had a double and a single stroller. I only use my triple if I am by myself it is a huge pain. Which show were you at? we were at the 10:30. It was a cute show my kids loved it. My dh kept saying we could have stayed home and watched the tape. I guess we should have had lime green ribbons. bTw my daughter is a Katie.
Tara

 

[CEDmom]

Tara,

We were at the 10:30 show as well. I was worried when I found out they were doing Tutter's b'day because I thought it would be the same show from 2 years ago. It wasn't since they added new songs and more real people. Glad your kids liked it, our DD was completely mesmorized and kept sshing everyone around her, including DH and me . That's funny your DD is Katie. It's become a popular name again.

 

[lizdotcom99]

Call me!! I even have my own AP!!!!!!! Heck, a WDW trip, room, board and those priceless little faces....gotta love it!!! It gets tough though on the way back from the parks after a long day!!!!