What would you do?

[PRINCESS VIJA]

On our cruise (DCL of course!) we will be stopping by CC. I have always wanted to parasail... however I haven't lost the weight I wanted to so I can't say that I even for sure would go now... OK, back on topic... My DD is too young to go. We have always done everything as a family. All or none. So following that pattern no one would go parasailing because she can't. But is it fair to DS because he really wants to? I have had some people tell me not to go parasailing and others tell me to go. I know I could put her safely in the kids camps but she would be devastated and really feel left out of family fun. Just in casual converstation she has been a mess and very upset and crying. What would you do?

 

[*Flower*]

Do you plan on doing another DCL cruise in the future?

If so, why not let father/son do it this trip, and when DD is old enough- do a mother/daughter parasail experience?

It's just a thought.......

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Honestly I don't think we will be doing another cruise after this one. I am changing careers and my income will be lower and there are so many other place we want to visit, I don't think we will have the time.... We will do other fun things... but I think this will be it for our cruising...

 

[*Flower*]

Then I could only say- stick together as a family.

That way all of you will have the same experience, and nobody will feel left out.

Good luck with the career change though!

 

[tw1nsmom]

I would let your DS go parasailing with his father. You could do something special during the same time with DD. Maybe snorkeling?

 

[DawnCt1]

Over the years we have always had activities that some kids could do and others couldn't. When we went to Lake Tahoe, DS #4 was around 8, the others were older so they could jet ski, etc. They each got to chose an activity of 'equal value', DS #4 chose parasailing.....on the condition that he took my camera up and took pictures. He did a great job. I sent him up 800 feet. After the first 400 ft, how high you go after that is immaterial. On other trips, our other DS did snuba. DS#4 had "ear issues" and can't submerge to those depts so he took surfing lessons. It doesn't have to be "the same", just relatively equal.

 

[DawnCt1]

Another thought I had is that you could all go out on the boat and DS and DH could go together and you could go up by yourself. DD might just enjoy the boat ride.

 

[mom2boys]

I would let your DS go parasailing with his father. You could do something special during the same time with DD. Maybe snorkeling?

I agree with this. I say this as the mother of two boys who are only 17 months apart. This year the oldest started Middle School & moved up from cub scouts to boy scouts. It has been good for both of them. My younger son has become more independent. It has also helped them appreciate the things they do together. Both are excited that the younger one will soon be moving up to boy scouts so they can be together again. The older one is happy to give Middle school "advice" to the younger one and his buddies.

 

[slo]

I would find something really special for her to do only so that she feels important. Then explain to her about how your DS really wants to parasail and the reasons on why she can't. Hopefully she will begin to understand that we all can't do what we want all the time.

I did this when we went to WDW in 2004 when my youngest DD was 13 months old. I knew my 6yr old would not be able to many things that we normally do because of the baby. So I signed her up for The Adventures in Cooking and The Pirate Cruise so that she had her own special things to do. She was still bummed out when she couldn't do other things because we had to go back to the hotel room for the baby to take a nap. But I could tell her that she had her special things and sometimes we don't always get to do what we want. I do believe this helped quite a bit.

Good luck with your decision!!!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

no, I don't believe in holding children back from age appropriate activities just because their siblings are not old enough to participate. That hardly seems fair to the older kids -- to always be held back to the younger levels.

Don't get me wrong, Family Time is important -- but so is the development of individuality.

Find another activity that is special only to your daughter and give her a treat that is special just to her.