WDW & my little Nieces...

[Ashbiez]

Hello! I hope I'm in the right place... I've been throwing a few ideas around in my head the past few weeks and wanted to get some input on them, if that's okay!

**sorry - this might end up being a bit lengthy... so feel free to skip this if you don't want to read it all!**

I've been spending every waking moment planning my upcoming trip to WDW with my fiance. I just keep thinking about how much fun I had in WDW & DL as a kid growing up. Unfortunately one of my sisters isn't in a very good place in her life (well, lets be honest, she never has and probably never will - she's just one of those who is impossible to please and has no motivation) - she has two little girls who I adore more than anything. Emma is 8 and Ali is 5. They've never been to Disney, and my sister isn't the kind to ever take them.
I just feel like they're going to miss out on this amazing experience - and trust me, they need some magic in their little lives.

Basically my idea is that if Bob (the fiance) and I save up little by little maybe we can take the girls before they get too old to get immersed in the whole experience (I know you can argue that you're never too old, b/c I know I'm not - but I mean before the "too cool" tween/teen years). Would this be an awkward thing to suggest to my sister? She would JUMP (literally) at the opportunity to be kid-free for a few days so I'm not worried about that... would/could this come across as pointing out a downfall in her parenting in any way? Remember, she's impossible to please, and also extremely sensitive and cranky.

I know my mom wants to take the girls to WDW at some point, too. But she can't afford to do it alone. So if Mom, Bob and I pool what we can I bet we can save it up in no time and we'd really have a blast (my whole family loves Bob and Mom is basically my best friend).

The other issue I'm worried about is another sister getting upset. This sister has kids of similar ages, but they go on big family vacations at least once a year. However, she is the only sister who lives out of town (she's in Seattle, the rest of us in Chicago) and feels slighted when these kinds of things come to be... Her kids have been to DisneyLand probably a dozen times already. How do I go about this without pissing her off?

Here's me & my little "boogers" last summer. C'mon, how can you NOT want to spoil these two??

Thanks in advance for any advice!!

 

[bellebud]

there are quite a few people on the Dis who take nieces/nephews to WDW w/out the parents. It's a common, normal thing. My neighbor's sister once took neighbor's 2 girls to WDW - the sister didn't have kids and wanted to experience it w/ kids and wanted to spoil her nieces - my neighbor wasn't offended at all. I think it's just wonderful you want to do this - I hope it all works out!

 

[katied]

DH and I took our niece and nephew 2 times to Disney - first when they were 6 and 8, and again at 8 and 10. We had a blast. The family dynamics can get a bit touchy, but neither of the kids parents (they were divoriced) wanted to deny their kids the chance at a trip they knew they could never provide. We've taken them on other trips before and since, so they are used to traveling with us, and we're used to have them.

We have not taken any other nieces and nephews on trips without their parents, but all the other nieces and nephews have a much more stable family life, so it's never been an issue. All the other parents plan some types of trips/family activities for their kids, and understand that these 2 that we travel with could use a little "special" attention.

So - definately, try to plan and work it out. I just would not discuss it with the kids until you have everything planned and set (in fact, for the first trip, we suprised the kdis by telling them the nite before).

 

[bellebud]

oh, pp made me think of something else... my sil (bro's wife) is taking her sister's daughter away for a few days this summer - this niece's parents are divorced and the niece doesn't get family vacations and sometimes has a difficult family life because of the divorce.

Sil is not offering to take her brother's children away - that family isn't divorced and they do family things and have a stable environment. She may, however, take the brother's children out to lunch, or to build a bear or something, because while sil would like to be 'equal' with all her nieces and nephews, it's just not possible. She's giving each child what she feels they need, and that's different for each family.

This sil sometimes sends my kids in the mail little notes, stickers, etc, which my kids just love. To my kids, this means as much to them as that vacation will mean to sil's other niece, knim? They're all feeling loved, wanted and special - that's what's important.

 

[Hannathy]

Can you be honest with your other sister? I do know what sisters are like! I'm sure she is aware of your other sister's financial and parenting style.
You could also level with her that you want to pay for the girls because they have never been then and know they won't have the chance to go any other way, and then ask ( I know it isn't ideal but....) if she and her family would like to meet you guys at Disney. Not offering to pay but to share your experience.

The one thing I wouldn't do is to try and keep it from the sister in Seattle.

I took my nephew several times while he was growing up.

 

[billwendy]

Hmmm- I think you should do it!!! Would your mom be coming along too? Maybe could you tell your other sister you guys were wondering if she wanted to meet you all down there? That you and your mom were talking and wanted to take the girls while it would still be magical to them, that they had been through alot this year and you were going to go? then it would be up to her if she wanted to come and bring her own kids, right? Hopefully your other sis loves these little ones as much as you and would understand the situation and want to make it happen for them. If you happen to have a Disney Visa there is a kids stay and play and maybe eat free package going on......

 

[Ashbiez]

Thanks so much everyone. I'm feeling a lot better about the whole situation - even though its still just an idea!
It'll probably take us a few years to save up for that kind of trip, since when we travel we tend to live beyond our means - and of course would do the same with the little ones along for the ride Hey, if we're spoiling them, might as well spoil ourselves!

I wouldn't dream of keeping it from the Seattle sister - that would be a nightmare OMG! I like the idea of inviting them to join us in WDW for a big family trip - especially since I know for a fact she would say no. Flying from Chicago to Orlando is one thing... from Seattle its a huge ordeal. I know she still wouldn't be happy with it, but can't please everyone, right? (Seriously, my sisters are WAY too sensitive haha)

I can't believe that so many others take nieces & nephews with them. I love it! I think it makes it even more magical that its not just a typical family trip. Plus, anything to get more "favorite auntie" points hehe

So again, thanks so much. After we come back from this trip in April (and pay off all our credit cards we used for the trip.. ughhh) I'm definitely going to start saving little by little. Its times like this where its hard being such a young Aunt, since I wish I were older and had better means of spoiling them hehe