What to do with a 12 year old....

[IvyandLace]

Very interesting thread...I was actually just going to post concerning my 12-year-old nephew. We are going on our first family cruise (9 adults, 3 kids ages 12-16) next month (!!) in (delayed) celebration of his 12th BD. (The other two kids got a WDW bash for their 12th BDs.)

However, I'm getting concerned that he is going to think the Lab is "stupid" vs. The Stack where his sister and brother will be hanging out. He is going through a hard time right now adjusting to having two siblings in high school while he is still in middle school and, of course, thinks his older brother (16) is a god. My older nephew doesn't help things by acting condescending toward the more age-appropriate interests of my younger nephew so I'm afraid that my younger nephew will not be open to going to the lab as it doesn't seem too "cool" in my older nephew's eyes. The thing is that I know he would have a GREAT time if he just allowed himself to get into things...he has a great Disney spirit and a wonderful imagination! My biggest dilemma right now is that I'm in the midst of making weekly family newsletters concerning the cruise (Things to know, etc.), and I'm not quite sure how to "advertise" activities at the Lab versus activities in The Stack cuz I want each to be special! I'm just afraid my 12-year-old nephew will totally write it off as "dumb" or "childish" before he even gives it a chance!!! Grrr...and because it's HIS BD cruise, I just want him to have the greatest time, you know? I want him to feel special and loved, not left out. Any suggestions??

Thanks!!
IVY

 

[abitjaded]

The 10-12 group gets lots of time in the Stack. Plus, away from the prying eyes of the older siblings and cousins he can find his own niche. All of the groups roam all over the ship, never staying in one spot for long. Look at the Kids' Navigators on Dave's or Barb's sites. Don't mention that the specific activities take place in the Club, Lab or Stack.

Carla

 

[greytlady]

My DD was 11 when we sailed the 4 night Wonder this year and will be 12 next year when we do the 7 night Eastern. Both my DS10 and DD11 enjoyed the labs. However, my DD had hooked up with another girl her age here on the Disboards online before going on the cruise. Those two hit it off so well, they were best buddies the entire trip. And they did go to the labs and enjoy that too. I was so glad that she was able to find someone her age that she exchanged emails with before going. I know it really added to her enjoyment. Hopefully, she'll get to find another friend her age here on the disboards for the next cruise.

 

[jdm]

Also wanted to say that when we went my DD was 9 and we took our DN 11. They both spent a total of 20 minutes in the lab. They didn't care for it and had an absolute great time just hanging out, swimming enjoying the ship. They also met another girl 11 and they all spent time together, not in the clubs. It was a treat for them to have freedom which I did allow (with limits, of course) once we were on the ship and I felt it was safe. All 3 girls are very respectful, responsible. This combined with our outings on port days really filled up their time. So, your concern for the ages in the labs might not even matter in the end as some kids don't even care to go and have a wonderful time without it.

Jenn

PS While DD 12 & DD 21 have been a piece of cake- I paid my dues with DD now 25! Thank God I was MUCH younger when I was dealing with my "handful"!!!!

 

[js]

Thank you all so much for your replies
I am booking 11/11/06 LOL today

 

[zeke11]

My dd is 12 and we just returned from the 9/27 Wonder. She will be 13 in a couple of weeks and so we had inquired about her being able to join the teens. We did get permission for her to do that, but she ended up not really going to either the teen club or the 10-12 club.

Being on the 'edge' of each age group was definitely difficult for her. She ended up hanging around with my dh and me for a lot of the time, which was ok too.

Kris