What can a 13 and 9 yo do without adult?

[m2dh7]

I'm going to Orlando in October for 10 days, and will be in conference a couple of days, and was wondering what my 13 and 9 yo boys could do without me so they don't have to sit in the hotel the whole time. I will be at OCC on International Dr. so they could ride I-trolley. I've thought of a couple of things, but when I checked into them they had to have an adult accompany them. Could they go to Sea World and look around by themselves? I was at SW a couple of years ago, and I think they would be ok alone there. Discovery Cove, and the tours at SW need to be with an adult. I also thought about Wet-n-Wild. They both have cell phones. They would be together with each other.

 

[Minnie]

There is NO WAY on earth I would let a 13 & 9 year old go anywhere in Orlando alone. PERIOD. Sorry but that's my opinion.

 

[kilee]

I really don't think there is too much of anything they can do. Honestly, many hotels don't even allow children under the age of 15 to go to the pools w/o adult supervision.

What if an emergency arose at the theme park (like Seaworld), god forbid, you could possibly be charged w/ child endagerment for just dropping your 9 yr old off there.

There are those nanny services and such, maybe they offer an option to take your kids on daytrips while you're busy. Also, many of the onsite hotels offer child care arrangements where they have activities for the kids there. Maybe a hotel in your area will offer something like that.

 

[angel365]

Hi,

As i can tell u there is no such place to go arround without an adult, They don't even allow children under the age to theme park, god forbid, and not even to like Seaworld.. So they cant go anywere in Orlando all alone with out an adult

 

[ducklite]

With the crime against tourists that happens in this area (not regularly, but enough to make me wary of letting two young kids go off on thier own) there's no way I'd let them go do anything unescroted.

I like the idea of hiring a nanny service--someone like Fairy Godmothers will take you kids to attractions (not swimming though) as long as you pay the Godmothers way.

Which hotel are you staying at? Is it possible to choose one that has a daytime childrens program? I"m pretty sure some of the better hotels around the OCC offer this.

Anne

 

[Minnie]

I totally agree Anne

Even at 13 that is still to young to not only stay by himself but be responsible for a younger sibling in a hotel room in a city.

PLEASE reconsider. Either find a reputable child's program or sitter (I know WDW resorts has this and so do others) or leave them home with a reliable family member.

It is NOT worth the children's safety!

 

[isla bonita]

Another option is bringing along an additional family member to watch the children while you are working.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Just a suggestion...for the couple of days you are in conference why don't you stay over in Disney world? It may be a bit harder on you but if you pick the right hotel the kids would be in a place where there are children's activities. Or maybe over to the Hard Rock.

Of course the cost differential maybe such that a nanny/escort service would be cheaper.

 

[4Seasons]

I would look into a resort with a children's program or foot the bill for a family member to accompany you and stay with the kids while you are at the conference.
My kids are 15 and 12 and I'd never consider letting them be on their own in a strange city. The world is just too unpredictable a place. Just my 2c.....

 

[bullet875]

I would look into a resort with a children's program or foot the bill for a family member to accompany you and stay with the kids while you are at the conference.
My kids are 15 and 12 and I'd never consider letting them be on their own in a strange city. The world is just too unpredictable a place. Just my 2c.....

True, especially in an area where there are so many tourists/transient types (meaning non-residents). I live that the NJ shore and when my kids we younger the schools always did a "stranger danger" assembly in the spring due to the amount of tourists that come to our area in the summer (our population easily triples or quadruples). We never let our kids out of the fenced in and locked backyard in the summer..heard of too many local children being asked for "directions" when they were in the front yards.

I would think that the Madeline McCann incident this spring underscores who you should never allow small children to be alone in a tourist area. Thirteen isnt small, but he's not an adult yet either (and many child predators like that age child).

When we were at Epcot a couple of weeks ago, my 19 year old daughter wasn't feeling well, and she wanteds to go back tothe BC by herself. Even though she's an adult I was extremely nervous letting her go by herself and I made her 25 year old brother walk her to the International Gateway and watch her walk tot he BC..and the n I made her call me when she got back to the room....and I called sever times to check up on her.

Then again I'm very overprotective I guess.

 

[theparsons]

I'm going to Orlando in October for 10 days, and will be in conference a couple of days, and was wondering what my 13 and 9 yo boys could do without me so they don't have to sit in the hotel the whole time. I will be at OCC on International Dr. so they could ride I-trolley. I've thought of a couple of things, but when I checked into them they had to have an adult accompany them. Could they go to Sea World and look around by themselves? I was at SW a couple of years ago, and I think they would be ok alone there. Discovery Cove, and the tours at SW need to be with an adult. I also thought about Wet-n-Wild. They both have cell phones. They would be together with each other.

I'm sure the answers you got weren't what you hoped for....but one other thing to consider is the legalities of leaving your children on their own. I don't know Florida's laws, but you could call Orlando's police department to inquire, but in my state leaving a child under the age of 10 is against the law. Of course, they only enforce that if they find out, but are you willing to take that chance?

When I was in my 20's (before I had my own kids or was married)....I was a youth group leader at my church. I had several families "hire" me to go on vacation with them. They'd pay my airfare, get a suite so I had my own room, and pay for any recreation I did with the kids (we never did Disney, but we did other amusement parks that were for littler kids). My "job" was to keep the kids entertained. Sometimes it was while one parent was at a conference, like you're doing, but most times it was so mom and dad could enjoy their vacation with some definite adult time. When mom and dad were with the kids I was free to go and do on my own (usually this was at my own cost, but occasionally I got an allowance, lol). Meals with the family were paid by the family, but I opted to give them time together and me time away and bought my own dinner somewhere else. I was never paid like a job....my "payment" was always the free vacation. Occasionally parents would try to give me money, but I only took spending money for when I was with the kids. Your helper may want other arrangements.

If you don't have a family member to bring, you might consider hiring a college age student....though right now they're all gearing up to go back to school so it may be more difficult. But, you never know....you might find one that graduated and doesn't have a job yet....or that's willing to miss a few classes for the chance to have a paid trip to SeaWorld or Disney.

Make sure you're clear about what you're paying for and what you expect them to do. The first time I did this was with the Pastor and his family, and it was a little awkward, but after that I knew what the different parts of such a trip entailed and could easily talk with the other parents about what I expected from them, and what they could expect from me. Don't overload your helper....when your conference is over and you're back with the kids, let him/her go off on their own....they need their own space too.

You might even consider asking an older friend.....a grandmotherly type, so long as they're up to the physical challenge of SeaWorld or Disney, and so long as your kids get along with them! Might just make a great travelling companion for your family and make someone's day at the same time.

If you do decide to leave your kids on their own, it couldn't hurt to go over the different "what ifs" so that it's fresh in their mind what they should be doing if something happens. Make sure they know to stay together no matter how much the other gets on their nerves. You said they had cell phones, so be sure yours is on vibrate so they can reach you anytime (most conferences ask you to shut it off....also check to be sure you have coverage...some of the bigger conference halls either have such thick walls or have devices to block cell phones). Give your kids prepaid credit cards for most of their money, with just a small amount of cash. "Debit" cards are accepted everywhere now-a-days so there is no need for them to have cash that might make them a victim of theft. A prepaid card can have a passcode on it so it's useless to the thief and can be quickly replaced if stolen (so let your kids know unequivically, if someone demands their money, give it to them...then call mom!) I am NOT recommending that you let your kids go off by themselves....just giving you some suggestions if you choose to take the risk.

 

[tasha99]

In Oregon kids have to be 10 to be home alone, but a 12-year-old or older child can babysit. I have to go to a conference on the first day of my trip in Portland before we get to Florida. I'm leaving my 14-year-old (who turns 15 in a couple weeks) with my 9-year-old at the hotel with instructions to stay in the room. It's a suite, so they can microwave lunch, and we'll pack the wii and some movies. It's legal, and I know they'll be fine. I'm not letting them go to the pool because of stranger danger and because even though the 14-year-old is old enough to meet pool rules, I don't want her to be responsible for lifeguarding her younger brother.

I'm sure my 14-year-old will be on her own at WDW because she is not an early riser, and DS and I are the ropedrop types. I have no problem leaving her in the room and having her meet us at the park since she has a cell phone and uses the city buses here all the time.

Can they stay in the room? I know it isn't as interesting, but it seems safer since they won't come into contact with strangers (esp. if you put out the do not disturb sign.) I DO think a 13 year old and a 9 year old are old enough to not have a babysitter in most cases, but once you get them roaming around a strange city, I'm not so sure.

 

[horseshowmom]

In Oregon kids have to be 10 to be home alone, but a 12-year-old or older child can babysit. I have to go to a conference on the first day of my trip in Portland before we get to Florida. I'm leaving my 14-year-old (who turns 15 in a couple weeks) with my 9-year-old at the hotel with instructions to stay in the room. It's a suite, so they can microwave lunch, and we'll pack the wii and some movies. It's legal, and I know they'll be fine. I'm not letting them go to the pool because of stranger danger and because even though the 14-year-old is old enough to meet pool rules, I don't want her to be responsible for lifeguarding her younger brother.

I'm sure my 14-year-old will be on her own at WDW because she is not an early riser, and DS and I are the ropedrop types. I have no problem leaving her in the room and having her meet us at the park since she has a cell phone and uses the city buses here all the time.

Can they stay in the room? I know it isn't as interesting, but it seems safer since they won't come into contact with strangers (esp. if you put out the do not disturb sign.) I DO think a 13 year old and a 9 year old are old enough to not have a babysitter in most cases, but once you get them roaming around a strange city, I'm not so sure.

That was my issue too (in bold). I'm sure there are lots of 13 year olds babysitting in Orlando, but it's different when you live in an area. I wouldn't be comfortable with them out on their own.

 

[swilshire]

I would probably allow my 13yo (almost 6 foot male) to go to one of the parks alone with lots of rules, but not to supervise his younger brother.

When two of my kids were about this age, they went to DC with me for two weeks. While I worked, they locked themselves in the hotel room with the Do Not Disturb sign on the door as well as the deadbolt latched. They were not allowed to leave the room for any reason short of the building being on fire. Luckily, they didn't have cable tv at home and just watching that for two weeks was a treat for them.

Sheila

 

[swilshire]

When we were at Epcot a couple of weeks ago, my 19 year old daughter wasn't feeling well, and she wanteds to go back tothe BC by herself.

I would be similarly protective of my 21yo daughter if we were in New York City, London, etc., but that would have never even entered my mind at Disney World unless it was the middle of the night.

Sheila

 

[Karrie Davis]

13 is such a hard age. They are at a place right between being a kid and an adult My niece is 13 and she baby sits for me all the time but I don't let her go anyplace while with my son and my sister in only in the neighborhood across the street.... SHe is still not allowed to go places without an adult anyway.

I think about the 2 boys who were these ages and the one was taken.... by that sex offender They found them but not after weeks of abuse.

If bringing another person would cost too much you might think about one of the baby sitting service like kids night out, I know there are about 4 in the area. It is about $10.00 per hour but maybe much less then bringing someone with you.... I think that is what I would do in your shoes. I would not want my kids being so bored either

Good Luck It is a hard thing

 

[SandraVB79]

A 13-year old might be able to babysit a 9-year old at home/ an environment they know.
But at Orlando? What IF something happens to the 9-yo that the 13-yo couldn't help prevent? The 13-yo will feel quilty for the rest of his/ her life!

I would never consider leaving them alone on some vacation-place. At home, yes, on vacation, NO.

 

[illuminati]

bring a au pair that is what we will do next time

 

[Lewisc]

Is the conference in the beginning of your trip? If you don't like any of the previous suggestions consider having your kids fly down on their own.

The 13 year old is too old for most of the "kids clubs" and the 9 year old might be too old to enjoy them.

You're going to a conference. Do you have any friends with older, responsible children that will be joining you?