What would you do if this was your daughter?

[breick]

DD, now age 16, has been going to WDW since she was 2 and camping @ FW since she was 6. Due to the "addictiveness" of FW, each year we have extended the time we camp there. (7 days, 10 days, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and the all-time high was 27 nights! I know that doesn't even come close to Mrs. Gus!) I have 25 nights reserved for this summer and DD is complaining she doesn't want to stay that long! Is it like with a camper? Can I trade her in for a new model?

 

[CaptKen]

Lock her in a closet and don't open it until she's 21. You have my sympathy. My daughter is now 30 and those teenage years was the hardest I've been through. Actually kicked her out of the house once. Wife liked to have killed me but turned out to have been the best for her. I think its called tough love. She now has two daughters of her own and threatens to send them to me when they act up.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

DD, now age 16, has been going to WDW since she was 2 and camping @ FW since she was 6. Due to the "addictiveness" of FW, each year we have extended the time we camp there. (7 days, 10 days, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and the all-time high was 27 nights! I know that doesn't even come close to Mrs. Gus!) I have 25 nights reserved for this summer and DD is complaining she doesn't want to stay that long! Is it like with a camper? Can I trade her in for a new model?

I'll take her place!!!!! You can trade her for ME!!! I'll go to FtW and she can come to my house and cook, clean, care for my children plus all the ones in the neighborhood who spend their summers here because we have the pool.

Seriously though, maybe if you let her bring a friend. 25 days is a long time for a 16 year old to be away from all her peeps.

 

[Rhonda]

I agree about the friend. When our son was 15, we started letting him bring a friend and it made all the difference in the world to him! They are old enough to spend some time alone at the parks, or at the pool, but still young enough to stay with you at the campsite.

 

[KPSmithSr]

I have to 2nd, or 3rd the "being a friend" thing. We let our DD and cousin do their own thing, they had a great time. We did meet them for meals. Never seemed to be a problem having a teen meet you for a meal. Maybe bring a tent for them to stay in, if you have room at the site. Bet they would have a blast.

 

[tinah159]

I only bring my 16 year old DD with a friend. It cuts down on the "drama"

 

[ntsammy5]

I have 25 nights reserved for this summer and DD is complaining she doesn't want to stay that long!

Our two daughters are 33 and 26 and we had that happen a lot back in the day. There were vacations where one or the other didn't go along for what ever reason, but that was more towards the college years not in HS. We do have a picture though of the oldest one sitting by herself on the Metro in DC when she was 16, trying to pretend that she wasn't with the rest of us. It's a phase but unfortunately you can't trade them in. They or you will get over it eventually

Good luck

 

[auntie]

Ahh..it's only the begining. What a lovely age. My daughter stopped camping in the tt when she reached that age. Oh..she makes an appearance now and again.(We have a seasonal site near Saratoga Springs NY) But seriously camping with us..I don't think so. I mean it's great if you can get her to come if you bring a friend along..we did that from about the time she was 12 or 13, by the time 16 came along, she was done. Of course when she stopped coming, our older son who was already 17 when we bought our travel trailer decided he was going to make up for the time he missed out on when he thought himself to be "Mr. Maturity"..and as my husband so eloquently says "We can't shake the kid!". Squeaking out another year has got to be easier being that it's Disney and FW, there is a certain amount of parental bribery that can be used. Giving them time on their own to shop and visit the parks alone..all of that. However, if you've already used that to get her there once before, they never go for the same bribe twice. At least not my little angels! 25 days..that is an enternity for a teen to be away from her friends. You might have difficulty finding a parent who is okay with their child being away quite that so long. Might make taking a friend more difficult. Maybe you could cut back on the amount of time at the fort. I know..horrible, However 25 days might seem like an eternity for mom and dad if they have a miserable teenager along.

 

[AlyLynn]

25 days is a great trip! (I'm jealous!) But it is a long time for a teen to be away. The only problem I see with the friend thing is that they're stuck with each other for 25 days, too! Our oldest is almost 14, and still addicted to Disney! We will be going for 20 days this summer, but we're breaking it up into 2 ten day trips. (Thanks Rhonda! ) All 4 of ours can't wait to go, and are excited that we are going again right before school starts.
(Depending where you live, this might not be the most economical solution. We live in Pa, and gas cost us $800 at Thanksgiving!) Good luck!

 

[ntsammy5]

You know, I just happened to think of this after seeing Aunties picture of the family at WL in her signature. The last time our family was all together was 18 months ago at our youngest daughter's wedding. Cherish the time you do have with them because you never know when you'll all be back together again. I'm not sure when we'll all be together again. It's sad.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

My 16 & 18 yr olds are not camping with us this May......I know they will have a party as soon as they are sure we are out of the neighborhood....and yes, they know my tricks of saying ":We're leaving, be careful and keep the doors locked and blah,blah, blah..." then just go to dinner and surprise them with a trip back to the house for a surprise visit before we actually really leave. My kids are very cool, very hip, and VERY untrustworthy. Just like dear old dad....I have to yell at them, (but inside I'll be thinking "ooohhh....that was a good one." or "pffft, jeeeez, you guys suck at sneaking around behind my back!") because thats my job as a daddy. Personally, if I forced them to come with us....they make sure NO ONE enjoyed it....Their typical females with the "If I aint having fun....NO ONE has any fun!" attitude. So, they get to play grown up and stay home this time, I just hope they stay as safe as possible, they dont break my electronics, they dont need me to bail them out of jail....because I aint leaving the fort to bail a teenager out of the slammer if they deserve to be there!!!!!

 

[PolynesianPixie]

I've already posted on this subject, BUT I was thinking back to when I was 16 years old (yes, I can remember that far back ). That was a pivotal year for me. I vividly recall, exploring (on my own, btw) and enjoying the trip like no other I had ever been on. I had my freedom to check out whatever I wished. I toured resorts, the theme parks, and absorbed all I could. Those are moments I treasure to this day.

Having said this, I was an introspective and quiet teenager. I was perfectly content being on my own, maybe even prefered it. Maybe not the norm, I don't know. I guess, I'm just saying that 16 is an age where kids are becoming who they will ultimately be. She may need the freedom to explore in her own way. The friend coming along could be the answer. The freedom to do her own thing could be it. Listen to her, and get a feel for how she feels. I'm sure you can come to a compromise.

Oh, and, if the position is still open, I'd still like to apply for her spot if she doesn't take it

 

[auntie]

It does sound as if she's been on this trip before, so it's not exactly a new adventure for her either. That's probably why she doesn't want to stay for 25days.

 

[auntie]

My 16 & 18 yr olds are not camping with us this May......I know they will have a party as soon as they are sure we are out of the neighborhood....and yes, they know my tricks of saying ":We're leaving, be careful and keep the doors locked and blah,blah, blah..." then just go to dinner and surprise them with a trip back to the house for a surprise visit before we actually really leave. My kids are very cool, very hip, and VERY untrustworthy. Just like dear old dad....I have to yell at them, (but inside I'll be thinking "ooohhh....that was a good one." or "pffft, jeeeez, you guys suck at sneaking around behind my back!") because thats my job as a daddy. Personally, if I forced them to come with us....they make sure NO ONE enjoyed it....Their typical females with the "If I aint having fun....NO ONE has any fun!" attitude. So, they get to play grown up and stay home this time, I just hope they stay as safe as possible, they dont break my electronics, they dont need me to bail them out of jail....because I aint leaving the fort to bail a teenager out of the slammer if they deserve to be there!!!!!

I've always told my kids that the neighbors know my cell number and have no problems with giving me a call if they think there is something going on that I need to know about. In fact, they've even seen me talking to them, and when they'd ask what it was about..I'd feed them the line about how nice our neighbors are that they're going to be keeping an eye on the house while dad and I are away..and to call them if you need anything. I've never seen such DISGUSTED looks in my life. You KNOW I just burst a party bubble!
Now..I'm a little..just a little OCD when it comes to the house..and I know when something is out of place by even a hair. I've seen some very nervous looking faces when I've returned home and casually pick something up and move it over a bit from one spot to another. The look of "Oh my Lord...she KNOWS...!" I LOVE keeping them on their toes. Funny thing is..I'll just move it to see what their reaction is!
Truth is..I've never asked the neighbors to look in on them, and the neighbors have never had anything but nice things to say about them, when they've been home alone. Only..to this day(and I have a 27 year old.) I've never let them know it. They think our neighbors are nosey spies! I love playin' with their heads..it's mama's pay back time! Gotta stay one step ahead of them!..It's not easy!
__________________

 

[BigDaddyRog]

OOhhh....you're good!

 

[auntie]

OOhhh....you're good!

Why..thank you I actually delight in thinking up these devious schemes to keep them in line. You CAN NOT let them win..EVER! Or it's over for you. Of course I do worry when it's time for one of them to pick my old age home..hopefully I will be too old and feeble to care about their revenge!

 

[Shannone1]

DD, now age 16, has been going to WDW since she was 2 and camping @ FW since she was 6. Due to the "addictiveness" of FW, each year we have extended the time we camp there. (7 days, 10 days, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and the all-time high was 27 nights! I know that doesn't even come close to Mrs. Gus!) I have 25 nights reserved for this summer and DD is complaining she doesn't want to stay that long! Is it like with a camper? Can I trade her in for a new model?

It may not be what you want to hear, but I would cut the trip in half. She is 16 and doesn't have many summers left before she will be working and leaving home. She will be torn between wanting to spend time with the family...and seeing her friends too. And the fact that you are going someplace she has been so many times probably isn't making her any more excited.

I would either change plans and go someplace different that she would like to go, or just make your trip a little shorter. Once she is grown and gone you will be able to spend all the time you want at FW, in the meantime enjoy the last couple of summer you have left with her

Normally I too would suggest letting her bring a friend....but I think almost a month with one friend would be too much, and you may have trouble finding someone who would let their child go for that long.

 

[mrsgus06]

I say shoot her.

I have not run into that problem yet. I also let them bring a couple of friends during the summer. I also try to keep in touch with people they meet during other summers (Stacktester's dd, Anniston, is one) and include them in my plans.

When they do start rebelling, I will give them the choice of going with me or staying here with their father. He has to work so he stays here. Oh, they also get the choice of staying with Gramps and Grandma (are you reading this Gramps?) I guess I need to break the news to hubby that they will eventually be staying here and I get all summer away, BY MYSELF!

If Bigdisneydaddy and Patti lived closer, I would let them stay with them! Patti has always said she wanted a girl, I am just offering her 4 of them.

 

[magnolia-belle]

Wow 4 girls....

 

[terri01p]

Gosh I hated that age, that was exactly the age my dd decided she didn't want to step foot in the tt and just would rather stay home , so we would go and leave her home with grandparents, at 18 she said she was to old to stay with grandparents and wanted to stay at home by herself, so we went to the beach for a weekend and came home to a broken window, water stains on my wall in the living room and all my bath soaps in my bathroom used, and one broken lazy boy chair, yea, never again did we ever leave her alone, she's now 25 and married but still won't let us know what happened that weekend but she now wants to go on every vacation with us regardless where it's to. And enjoys camping more that ever...it just took her a few years to get over that yucky stage.