What to tell (or not tell) DS 5

[normmo]

Hi - I'm off to Disney with a girlfriend for free dining and my DH will be home with DS 5 and DS 1. My DS 5 has been to Disney twice already and we'll go again as a family when the boys are 8 and 4. Which leads me to my question - what do I tell my five year old? Do I tell him that I'm going away on a trip but not say where? Or do I tell him that I'm going away for work and there just happens to be a Disney store by my hotel so I'll bring him back some pirate treasure? I think it would be mean to tell him that I'm going to see Mickey but he's not since DW is one of his favorite places to go. I'm really looking forward to just a girl's trip even if I'll miss my boys like crazy. Any ideas?

 

[hersheytx]

Best not to say anything. Very good friend told his niece that he was going in Dec. She is 12 but going through parent divorce. It did not take long for him to call me asking for permission to bring his niece with us.
Heck, I went through the same thing when I was 13. I could not say no. More than likely I will have a great time with her instead of all my other friends.

 

[Todd&Copper]

I wouldn't say anything and I wouldn't buy any Disney-themed souveniers for him while I was there. That might sound cold, but I think giving him some Mickey stuff when you come back could make him very upset that he wasn't on the trip with you.
When I was a little over 1, my 'rents went to Disneyland and I didn't know about their trip until I was a teenager, and I saw photos of them at the park and asked why there weren't any of me, too. If I had found the pics earlier, I probably would have thrown a fit knowng I wasn't invited.

 

[yanners]

I don't know too many people from Kingston leaving a DS 5/ DS 1 behind for a girls trip...

My opinion is that you LIE. I would tell him that you are going away and either don't say where or make up a place. You could tell him that you are going on some kind of borning training course and that you will be working all of the time. No kid would beg to come on that trip

I would also not mention the Disney Store at all and just say that you will bring him back a surprise. That way he will be even more surprised when it is Disney stuff.

That is what I would do.......

 

[normmo]

I don't know too many people from Kingston leaving a DS 5/ DS 1 behind for a girls trip...

I can't believe you found me! Hee hee, I'm with you though, I'll tell DS 5 that I'm going on a training course and will be in a classroom all day. And of course I'll bring him back a surprise and the rest will be Christmas presents.

 

[nessz79]

We're telling our kids when we go for 1 day in December...but we're only going one day, we're only going to Epcot, and the kids will have just gone a month before.

In your situation, I would not tell

 

[eeyorefan74]

I'm in the same boat. DD5 knows I'm going to Florida with girlfriends, but not any more than that. She's been 3 times and we'll go again as a family, so I'm trying not to feel too guilty. We buy Disney stuff all the time, so I don't think she'll put two and two together if I bring home souvenirs. I'll just have to be careful with the pictures if I decide not to tell her.

 

[normmo]

I'm in the same boat. DD5 knows I'm going to Florida with girlfriends, but not any more than that. She's been 3 times and we'll go again as a family, so I'm trying not to feel too guilty. We buy Disney stuff all the time, so I don't think she'll put two and two together if I bring home souvenirs. I'll just have to be careful with the pictures if I decide not to tell her.

Oh! I'm so glad that I'm not the only mom sneaking away without the kids!lol I have to keep pushing the mommy guilt away and relax and have fun.

 

[wirki]

This is funny. I just got back from my trip over labor day weekend with out my DD5 and DD1. I told my 5 year old the truth. I was actually surprised at how well she took it. I guess it helps that we are going in November and that she has been 5 time already. I say, go with your gut. If you feel they can take it tell the truth. Otherwise LIE

Hope this helps
Debbie

 

[Geekerbell]

DH and I will be going for a weekend alone in January, and I have been debating the same thing. We took the oldest two (7,5) for a family trip last year, and all they talk about is when we will go back! I have told them we won't be going back until the youngest is 4 he's 2 now). So I feel guilty about going and not taking the kids!

But my oldest said the sweetest thing the other day...He was making out a wish list for his birthday and Santa and he said maybe I should make a wish list for Santa. He said "you could ask Santa for tickets to Disney World for just you and daddy." I almost cried, it was so sweet.

Unfortunately, the 5 year old is not this caring and altruistic...

 

[Mcbruns]

I see no reason to lie. Why would you need to ? Especially since he's been there before.

They will obviously know you are going somewhere and I'm sure pictures will be taken. Why wouldn't you want to come home and share those pictures / stories with them? It's great that you are getting away with a girlfriend and should not have to worry about lying to your child. Whay would you say if he (they) don't know/think you went and came across some pics in the future?

My kids are a little older and have been to Disney twice this year. They know we are going to Disney this month for our anniversary. They are excited for us and even helped plan out some ADR's.

 

[TikiGoddess07]

I am going down by myself for a meet with friends in October. DH is staying home with our 2 DD's (ages 4 and 3). I've only told them that I'm going on a weekend trip to 'meet my Disney friends' and that they are staying home. I did say I would bring presents home and that seemed to appease my 4 yr old. The 3 yr old is pretty clueless, although I know she will miss me.

So, I say -- LIE. It's funny, I haven't mentioned WDW to them at all in the last week, and every day I hear them say something like "Mommy, when are we going to Disney World again?" (we went in July) or "can we ride Splash Mountain again" or "I'd like to ride in an airplane again". It's like they KNOW and are trying to make me feel guilty!!

TikiG