we spilled the beans...now need advice

[pagemaker]

So DH and I finally spilled the beans about our Thanksgiving 11/23/02 Magic 7 day to our DDs, 10 & 6 last week. You would think they would be in their glory, right? Wrong. DD10 was more concerned about missing 2-1/2 days of school. DD6 was more worried about leaving Nana (my mom lives with us and she is very attached to her) and wants to stay home so "Nana won't get lonely". ??????????????

DDH and I (and Nana!) spent this past weekend watching the video, trying to ease their concerns and answer as many questions as we could. This is our very first cruise and I really wanted this to be a positive experience for us all. However, it seems that DH and I are more excited than the kids.

Does anyone have any advice or had similar reactions from the kids?
Thanks!

deb

 

["Ginger"]

Don't worry they'll have a great time once the fun starts aboard the ship.

 

[pal2pluto]

My DD(10) had a similar reaction before our cruise. Don't worry. I think it was just that she had NO idea what to expect. We watched the video with her several times, I surfed this board so I could tell her everything I could, and did my best to make the vacation "real" and come alive for her before we went.

Imagine someone telling you that you were going on a trip to Weemagee, New Guinnea ..............you'd have no clue if you should get excited or not until you start to research it yourself........... kids are in the same "boat"

As time gets closer, and they understand more of what to expect, then I'm sure they will get more excited.

You'll have a great time!

 

[tkd lisa]

Is there a thread for your cruise on the board? If so, are there any kids there age listed? My kids sent some PMs to "DIS friends" and they got pretty psyched up getting to know people before we got there.

I also pulled up some of the better trip reports and had them look at them (the weatherman one is great, with lots of good pics)!

 

[wovenwonder]

They will have lots of fun and meet so many new friends on their trip. Sometimes leaving the comforts of home is scary for kids --- even older ones. Once they are in vacation mode they will be begging you to book again! We met friends on our first 7 day cruise in 2001 and cruised with them again in 2002 -- we even stayed in contact once we were home!

Feel free to check out my website -- linked below. And email me if you'd like me to recommend some other sites with lots of pictures!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

I can empathize with what you're going to on the missing school part. For our last cruise we pulled DS (then 12) and DD (then 10) out of school for 4 days. They had been on a cruise previously so they knew what to expect but were a bit concerned about the missed days.

DD was concerned about what she'd miss, DS about how much homework he'd have to make up! We sat down and wrote a letter together to their teachers explaining the situation and asked for input. The teachers were right "onboard" (bad pun sorry) with us and worked out what they needed to do. It also became a great talking point in the classroom.

I also helped them put together very simple photo albums they were able to share right after we came home. That way the rest of the class was able to share in the experience.

Good luck!
Deb

 

[FOJMO]

I couldn't agree more about kids worrying about missing school. We took our DD (15) out of school (and a friend of hers that went with us) for 5 days the week after Thanksgiving last year. We had no choice, as we had booked the cruise originally for August (when they were out of school) and then had to postpone to September and then had to postpone again to November (I was hooked up to an IV for 4 months and couldn't travel).

They were sure they'd be fine about missing 5 days and we were even in touch with their teachers, who all assured us that there would be no problem. Well, they missed way too much work, and the teachers seemed to have "forgotten" or maybe downplayed the workload, and they were both miserable for the rest of the school year. I have to say, they are in high school, so the work might be a little more complex, etc.

Needless to say, we will NEVER take her out of school again and have made our next cruise for next May, right after school lets out. They'll be more relaxed and ready for a vacation then.

Now, about Nana... I'm not sure if Nana knew anything about your cruise before you told your children but, hopefully, she isn't putting any guilt trips on them (and maybe not even aware she's doing it) about leaving Nana behind and her being by herself. If I'm totally out of line here and she is really supportive of your going, she could help out by assuring your children that she'll be fine and for them to have a great time and bring back lots of stories for her about their trip.

Good luck!

 

[SweetSpot]

My kids are DD12, DD10 and DS6. I showed my kids the navigators and pictures of the lab and reviews of the activities. I told them about Scoops and all the ice cream they could eat seemed to seal the deal for us. I have told them so many of the fun things about the cruise that I learned here and on Dave's and Barb's and the other great sites that I think they are more excited now to go than I am (if that's possible). Let the news sink in and keep telling them fun things that you learn about the ship and they will be thrilled before you know it.

 

[rae519]

Many, many years ago when my oldest son (now 21) was in 2nd grade - we had an opportunity to travel to Colorado - stopping off in North Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, etc. His teacher was angry that he would miss 3 scheduled days of school! She piled him up with soooo much homework that it was ridiculous. I went along with the teacher's plan and have always regretted the time he spent with his head down working on pages and pages of extra work while outside the car window the USA was passing us by.

Foolishly, I thought she'd like to see his journal and collection of postcards, etc. for a "show and tell" time. Athough most teachers would have been pleased - she wasn't because it wasn't part of her class plan.

When he started high school, I began to homeschool him. That turned out to be a very satisfactory arrangement and he was a 3.8GPA last year at I.U.

I also homeschool my youngest son (7) and we take a lot of time from our "paperwork" to experience firsthand the things we read about and incorporate it into his lessons. Everything can and is a learning experience and all parents are homeschoolers - we teach them everyday by example and our influence in their lives.

I only hope that your children's teachers recognize the immense opportunity ahead of them and use that accordingly to not only benefit your children but their classmates.

Rae

 

[akterrye]

rae519: Sounds like you have the same luck with teachers I do! Last Feb. I informed my son's teacher we were taking him out of school for two weeks to visit California (we explored mid to south Cali) and his reaction was I was a bad parent for doing this! I explained that we were going to museums, aquariums and a place called Avacado Hill (where native americans had once lived in the caves and left lots of signs - the cave paintings were SOOOOOOO cool!!!). He said that my son would get more out of book work than a vacation. *WHAT?!*

Well, I'm sorry to say, he got MORE out of the trip. He can recite all kinds of info about the fish and marine life we saw at the aquariums and can re-create the cave paintings and some of the info we told him about them. Ask him what he learned in a whole semester of History or Science and you'll get a blank stare.

I also asked the teacher for his assignments and was told he could "make them up when he gets back." When we got back, the teacher said he didn't have time to make copies of the assignments handed out (he didn't make enough originally?!) and if I wanted my son to do the assignements, I had to come in and make the copies. You bet I called the principal! It took my son all sememster to make up the work, but he finally got it done. *whew*

He starts middle school this year and I plan to give the teachers info in writing and get from them, in writing, their policy. I wish I could take him out of the "structured" school and teach him in the style he learns best in...hands on.

Back to the subject:

However, it seems that DH and I are more excited than the kids.

My son was the same way when we first told him about our first cruise in 2000. We watched the videos, travel channel specials, and showed him websites. His attitude was "ok, whatever mom." UNTIL, the bus came up over the bridge and he saw the ship for the first time. He wanted to get off the bus and RUN to the ship! He ended up having a ball and begging to go back.

Just the opposite happened when I told him we were going on the western. (I had forgotten to tell him we were going...*I* was too excited!). So, we sat him down and told him and he demanded to know how many days til we left and now he bugs me to watch the Magic leave port every Sat.

Have no fear, your daughter's attitudes will change once they get there! As a side note: How sweet that your daughter was more concerned about Nana being alone! I wish more children showed that kind of compassion!

 

[rae519]

akterrye -
I am so glad I didn't get FLAMED for my post - after I sent it I thought - "Oh no! People might get thr wrong idea!" Glad you understood.

At my age (47), I have come to believe we all homeschool, just at different levels and abilities. And although most teachers do a great job, they can't be one on one with their students and that kind of personalized attention can only be given by the parent.

That trip you took with your son sounds so wonderful! He did get more out of that trip than reading about those places/things in a book. His teacher sounds very jealous and rude - I can't imagine the teacher not making enough papers for the ENTIRE class - what if your son was ill? Would he still have made you come in to copy the work yourself?!!

I started to homeschool after the death of my only daughter (1994) - my oldest was having a difficult time with her death as only a 13 year old can. So after a year's struggle in school, I decided to give it a shot. I used a lot of resources - and he did well on the ACT/SAT and I did have him take the GED since most colleges accept that more readily than a "homeschool" diploma.

Michael (my youngest) is progressing well and I really mean it when I say we make these vacations a learning experience. Now don't you dare picture me with a blackboard and ruler in hand - but he can tell you our course, information about the islands and a lot of other stuff (similiar to your son with the cave drawings).

Guess I still subscribe to the old fashioned thought that as taxpayers and parents we are still "in charge"!

Happy sailing!
Rae

 

[Nutsoverdisney]

Since your cruise is over Thanksgiving maybe you can let your DD's know where their Nana will be spending Thanksgiving so they know that she will not be alone. Also, Let them know that someone will be checking in on Nana while they are away and she will be fine.

Did your DD say why she was worried about missing school? Maybe she is worried about faling behind in her class work, or missing her friends. See if see will tell you why she is concerned about missing school and take it from there.

Once your DD's get anboard and make friends I'm sure they will have a great time.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Sorry gang! I thought sharing our experience with working with our kids' teachers was a good thing - didn't mean to open sore spots. For the most part we've had great luck working with teachers over the years, but I agree there are sometimes when you have to be the parent and make the decisions.

Now that DS is entering high school I suspect we won't be pulling him (or DD) from school. We still do lots of hands on learning and travel but around those other things. This summer they were both off on adventures more than we were!

Deb

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by rae519
akterrye -
I can't imagine the teacher not making enough papers for the ENTIRE class - what if your son was ill? Would he still have made you come in to copy the work yourself?!!

Rae

Please now talk about a SORE SPOT LOL....my godson was on home teaching on and off since 2nd grade...the lower grades were fine but once he hit Jr/Senior high the teachers showed up when they wanted, just didn't come on a day they were supposed to, some subjects never bothered to show at all!! And the schools response was that they had so many kids out of school due to suspensions that all the home teachers were taken up....excuse me, taken up by the kids that were thown out of school so the kids that are really sick cant even get one...to this day I a STILL pissed off about this!

As far as leaving Nana behind, we could never take trip without grandma...my almost 3 year old is so attached to her that she comes on vacation with us...no leaving her behind even if she wants to stay behind LOL

 

[pagemaker]

We watched the video, again, and have been on the internet researching the cruise together. DD10 is worried that her teacher will not think it is a good idea to miss school. I told her we would write a letter together (great suggestion!) and would personally have a meeting with the teacher once school starts after Labor Day. Now she seems to be warming to the idea of going, and asked to research stingrays and snuba on the internet. (by the way, great website wovenwonder! DD loved the dresses the girls were wearing and wanted to know if she could get one, too!) She will also be emailing another girl who will be on the same cruise.

DD6, however, seems to be ignoring the subject all together. I'm sure now that once DD10 becomes more excited, she will win her over as well.

Nana has always come with us when we go away and was supposed to come with us on this trip as well. But when she found out there were no casinos on board, she opted for a trip to Las Vegas with her mah jhong group. That Nana.....have slots will travel is her motto. She is quite a spitfire as far as Nanas go. If something bothers her, boy does she let me know about it. That's why I truly think she wouldn't to do the "guilt thing". As much as she would deny it, I bet she is secretly looking forward to having the house all to herself for a week.

So, if anyone can convince DD6 of something, its definitelly Nana. She is going to buy the girls their own disposable cameras so they can make her a special scrapbook of the trip (another great idea, DCL friends). I agree that the bond DDs have with Nana is a wonderful thing.

Thank you all for your thoughts, experiences and suggestions! I will let you all know how things work out.

deb

 

[4nana]

What sweet children you must have I think once they are on board there will be little time to think of anything else but the
pure magic of Disney. My grands want to watch the Disney cruise video everytime they're here and are counting down the days. They each made a decorated Dis jar and are saving all their change. Maybe a little excursion to the Disney store for some treats, cruise clothing or princess gowns would start the anticipation rolling I know you will all have a wonderful time
and Nana will probably enjoy doing her thing too

 

[poopie]

Leave the kids at home!!! You and DH go and have a great time.