What would you do?....

[callahanjulie10]

I have a situation that I am not sure how to tactfully handle. My DD-11 is an only child. We have an upcoming trip to WDW which is our family Christmas present. DD-11 is our only child and really wants her best friend to come with us. The best friend has never been to WDW and would love to go. I would not mind at all but we are on a tight budget and have been saving for a while to do this trip and the little girls parents have 3 other children and are on a VERY tight budget as well and I would feel funny asking without having the money to pay for her to go.
My family have passes already and I have purchased Connections vouchers for our dining. We will be staying for 6 days so the pass for her is the big problem... any suggestions?....

 

[Spirit Feather]

I would say,

"I am sorry, honey. Not on this trip. While I would love to have little Susie with us, it just is not possible. Maybe we can plan for next year, that way we will have time to save the extra money it would take to bring her along. Maybe we can start a "Take Susie to Disney World jar!" Do you have any ideas or suggestions on what we can cut-back on or on what odd jobs you and Susie can do to add money to her Disney fund for next year?"

How's that?

 

[Lisa Gies]

I would just ask the parents without the girls around. I am sure they don't expect you to pay for her ticket. Maybe her ticket and spending money can be her christmas present from them. It sure would a very nice Christmas present!
Have fun, Lisa

 

[callahanjulie10]

Thanks so much for your suggestions. I think that I will try asking the parents while the others (including mine!!) aren't there. If they can't do it- I will ask if they mind us getting a jar for our next trip. This will be our first trip at Christmastime- I am looking forward to it so much.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Are you planning a trip for next year? If so, maybe you could let the friend join you on that one. If the parents agree to let her go, your daughter could give her friend Disney related christmas gifts. The kids planning guide, park maps........

I bet they'll have a blast planning their trip together, and the parents will have more time to budget $$ for her trip.

 

[Mic]

I have to agree with a few other posters and say "not this trip". We always have to book 2 rooms for our family of 6, and always have room for 2 more, even in our 8-seater van, but we do not always take other people. For my oldest daughter's 14th birthday, we took several of her best friends, and planned in advance for the cost. We purchased all tickets and meals, except lunch each day, because the girls would be on their own in the park of the day. We have 4 children, and it would be hard for us to pay for one of them to vacation with another family, and of course, hard to justify to the other kids. My 2 oldest are begging to take someone with us for our up-coming Dec. trip, but I have had to say "not this trip". Our oldest will be getting braces soon, and wants contacts instead of glasses, and I am not willing to sacrifice those items to take a friend. At 11, though, your daughter is old enough to decide if she would rather give up a few things(some Christmas gifts, souvenier money, etc.) in order for you to purchase her friend a ticket. The room cost is not an issue, and you could ask the parents to send $$ for some meals. I just think it would be hard for a large family to afford to pay for the trip, especially in 1 month.

 

[Carl the Bartender]

If the friend were also an only child, I would consider it. I would hate to be one of those 3 other children who didn't get to go. Can you imagine the nightmare their parents will have trying to convince them they're not playing favorites?

 

[JenniferW]

As a kid I have taken other friends places before and I would want little test run to make sure things will be fine. I would try taking her camping for a weekend or so to make sure she can handle being away from her folks and is polite enough when things aren't perfect. Spending the night at your house one or two nights at a time may not show whether or not you would really want to take her on a longer trip.

It is such an expense I would think the girls could save towards it for a future trip. Is there somewhere else you could take them for the day that would be special?

Jenn

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

If the friend were also an only child, I would consider it. I would hate to be one of those 3 other children who didn't get to go. Can you imagine the nightmare their parents will have trying to convince them they're not playing favorites?

Ohhhhhhh, excellent point!!!!!!!!