Would you ask your kids to help pay for a vacation?

[lghost]

Since you were just there in Sept., which is more than many other families, why not forgo the trip this time? It seems that you are really cutting it close budget-wise and that could create a lot of stress on the trip.

The other factor is that you want to teach your kids that money is not just for spending, but at that age, it is for learning to save. Life is not a constant vacation and they are at an age where they need to learn to save their money and be wise with spending.

Good luck no matter what you choose...

 

[disneyjunkie]

The other factor is that you want to teach your kids that money is not just for spending, but at that age, it is for learning to save. Life is not a constant vacation and they are at an age where they need to learn to save their money and be wise with spending.

You also want to teach them to enjoy the money they've earned/saved while they can.

I know so many people (including my parents and a few aunts) who have been so focused on saving for retirement, that they haven't really taken time to enjoy what they've earned over the years.

 

[pacew]

I think it all depends on how you approach and your motives. If the children agree and the giver agrees (I would ask the giver first) then fine. However, you say you are tight on money. If this would put the family in a bind or cause you to run up credit to pay for it then no. Either way the children could learn valuable lessons on making decisions with their money. Honestly, that is so much money for little ones anyway. They probably don't really understand how much it is.

Wendy

 

[mom2my3kids]

If they are wanting to go and are willing to pay the money I don't see a problem with it. I know my kids take their birthday money to Disney with us to spend on souvenirs, my hubby always tries to make me feel bad about them spending their money. I say hey we are paying for this vacation if they want some extras they can spend their money. Now I do buy them a few extra souvenirs shirts and stuff.. Good luck I hope you get to go..

 

[tomthebarncat]

I would have no problem doing this. Kids need to learn the value of a buck and that it doesn't grow on trees. I would present the situation to them and ask them if they would like to spend their christmas money on going back to Disney. Unless you have little junior accountants they really don't need to know where every penny is going. I would just make sure that they have pocket money and I would give them each 50 bucks, and let them piss it away how they see fit! I also see no reason to run this by the folks that gave them the money. A gift is just that, once you give it to someone it no longer belongs to you. Do the folks that suggested running this by the giftgivers call wedding recipients and ask them for a breakdown on how they spent that 50 bucks you gave them as a wedding gift? I didn't think so. Money is a gift that can be spent however the recipient sees fit, if your kids are OK with this purchase, I say go for it and have fun!!

 

[caroline1851]

I think that's a great idea. Especially since they'll have $100 spending money for when they're there.

 

[Manda]

I don't see a problem with it at all. Sounds like a really good learning experience to me, too. They'll see exactly how much money and sacrifice it is for a family to get to go on vacations like that. I wouldn't force them to do it and if they say they don't want to go to Disney enough to chip in, I just wouldn't go. I would totally make it their choice and tell them if they want to spend their Xmas money on going to Disney, they can.

 

[Ask"WhyNot?"]

Would I do it? No. Not while in school (high school and below), especially not at that age. You can ask them and they may agree--or one (or both) may feel pressured to agree, whether you intend it or not--but you are still the one deciding how to spend THEIR money. It was already given to them. This isn't a case of them choosing to spend their money on things for them at WDW the same way they might spend it on things for themselves at home. It's airfare that is gone forever.

I have an Aunt and Uncle who send the kids money, a good chunk, every Christmas, but they send it to me and tell me to spend it how I see fit. I buy savings bonds. One of my siblings buys presents for the kids. One of my siblings put it towards the basics (clothing) that the kids need. But we were given the money to spend on them/for them. This isn't your case.

I do not think you are a bad parent for considering the idea, or even if you go ahead and do it. I just wouldn't. I might tell them there is a possibility of a trip and you would like ideas from them about coming up for airfare. Maybe they will offer up their money or offer up things to sell or find a way to do odd jobs for extra cash. Wow, what a lesson that would teach them--how to work for what they want in the manner they choose. Or maybe they'll tell you that it just isn't that big of a deal right now.

We don't want our kids to squirrel away all their money, but we want them to prioritize too. It's much easier to learn that lesson at 10 than at 20 or 30. And just keeping looking for cheaper airfare.

 

[mumom95]

I just told my two kids (ds8 and dd6) the situation, and asked if they were each given money $200 for Christmas, would they be willing to spend $150 of that to buy plane tickets to go to WDW. They both very enthusiastically said yes. My son said that would be better than any toy he could buy.

I kind of look at it not so much like they are helping pay for a family vacation, as much as they are paying for an extra trip. As long as it is their decision (and I do agree both kids must agree on it), and noone is trying to talk them into it.

Your kids are old enough to ask them. Explain the situation, tell them it is completely up to them, that they both must agree and then see what they say. Especially if they got a lot of "toys" for Christmas, this might be something they would love to do.

Good luck.

 

[dvcnewgirl]

As long as you ask them and it is their choice. I would not have a problem doing that.

 

[dvcnewgirl]

double post.

 

[Princess Roo]

I'm undecided with kids that age. I agree that it's a little different when it's an "extra" trip versus a planned family vacation, but it is using money that would probably otherwise be able to be saved for a future vacation. I guess I would first try to cut corners as much as possible...maybe 1 extra night instead of 2, bring breakfast and snacks (including for DH, which would free up some per diem money), maybe not do the parks every day you're there or skip the hoppers, etc. If that's still not enough for you to cover the trip, maybe you could ask them to help cover their park tickets instead? That sounds a little better (more fun part!) than the airfare.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I'm undecided with kids that age. I agree that it's a little different when it's an "extra" trip versus a planned family vacation, but it is using money that would probably otherwise be able to be saved for a future vacation. I guess I would first try to cut corners as much as possible...maybe 1 extra night instead of 2, bring breakfast and snacks (including for DH, which would free up some per diem money), maybe not do the parks every day you're there or skip the hoppers, etc. If that's still not enough for you to cover the trip, maybe you could ask them to help cover their park tickets instead? That sounds a little better (more fun part!) than the airfare.

Thanks for all of the replies. I do like this idea about maybe having them contribute towards tickets instead of airfare but only if we need it. We do try to include the kids in big decisions when we can.

Of course as luck would have it the airfare has DROPPED to $108 round trip per person. ARGH!!!!!! I told DH today that let's just book the tickets and "borrow" from the kids if we need to (and pay them back ASAP) just so we can book the tickets at that fare. The lure of 1 airline ticket and a free room because DH is working just seemed to good to pass up.

For this trip we had planned on a day at Sea World (free for military ), a day at Universal/IOA and 2 days at WDW. The rest of the days would be pool days, DTD, outlets (they love the Disney outlet in LBV) and visiting with friends we have in Orlando. If the kids want to add a WDW day then they can pay for that with their money.

I'm all about a super budget trip - we have done this before and had a blast. My kids begged to extend our trip last time and swore they would live on bread and water if they could stay at WDW. Somehow I don't think they will mind the no-frills trip since it is better than no trip at all! The hotel offers free breakfast buffet and has a full kitchen so a quick trip to Publix and we can cook in the room for dinner and have snacks for the park. If the kids want Mickey bars then they can dip into their money.

I'm still digging in bins to list on ebay. I'm determined at this point to find a way to pay for this trip!

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

In those circumstances I'd do it. I think it's good for kids to learn about the value of money in this way, and frankly if you'd known before Christmas I think airline tickets would have been a great gift.

The biggest problem I can see is if one said yes and one said no. I think you need to decide what to do in that circumstance before you ask them.

Looking at your itinerary, I see you're planning on both WDW and US -- wouldn't it be cheaper to just chose one and spend 3 days there? That might be one way to save a little. Also, could your DH drop you at the parks on his way to work (or you could drop him on your way?). Seems like there has to be a way to do it with just one car.

Good luck and have fun whatever you decide.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

In those circumstances I'd do it. I think it's good for kids to learn about the value of money in this way, and frankly if you'd known before Christmas I think airline tickets would have been a great gift.

The biggest problem I can see is if one said yes and one said no. I think you need to decide what to do in that circumstance before you ask them.

Looking at your itinerary, I see you're planning on both WDW and US -- wouldn't it be cheaper to just chose one and spend 3 days there? That might be one way to save a little. Also, could your DH drop you at the parks on his way to work (or you could drop him on your way?). Seems like there has to be a way to do it with just one car.

Good luck and have fun whatever you decide.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I would have no problem doing this. Kids need to learn the value of a buck and that it doesn't grow on trees. I would present the situation to them and ask them if they would like to spend their christmas money on going back to Disney. Money is a gift that can be spent however the recipient sees fit, if your kids are OK with this purchase, I say go for it and have fun!!

I don't see a problem with it at all. Sounds like a really good learning experience to me, too. They'll see exactly how much money and sacrifice it is for a family to get to go on vacations like that. I wouldn't force them to do it and if they say they don't want to go to Disney enough to chip in, I just wouldn't go. I would totally make it their choice and tell them if they want to spend their Xmas money on going to Disney, they can.

I do like the idea of using this as a learning experience. If nothing else when we sit down as a family to talk about this trip I will let them know exactly how much things cost to take a trip like this so hopefully they can appreciate what we are paying for and understand why this has to be a budget trip.

Would I do it? No. Not while in school (high school and below), especially not at that age. You can ask them and they may agree--or one (or both) may feel pressured to agree, whether you intend it or not--but you are still the one deciding how to spend THEIR money. It was already given to them. This isn't a case of them choosing to spend their money on things for them at WDW the same way they might spend it on things for themselves at home. It's airfare that is gone forever. I do not think you are a bad parent for considering the idea, or even if you go ahead and do it. I just wouldn't. I might tell them there is a possibility of a trip and you would like ideas from them about coming up for airfare. Maybe they will offer up their money or offer up things to sell or find a way to do odd jobs for extra cash. Wow, what a lesson that would teach them--how to work for what they want in the manner they choose. Or maybe they'll tell you that it just isn't that big of a deal right now.

I also like the idea of them offering up things for sale - they just got a ton of presents at Christmas and I know there are plenty of things in their room that they don't want anymore. They both know how to take "ebay pictures" for me so they can be actively involved in the selling process. If we make enough extra maybe we can snag a ressie at Chef Mickey's.

This is the main thing I struggled with - it is THEIR money, not mine. I think as parents we want to be able to give our children everything (to a certain extent).

I just told my two kids (ds8 and dd6) the situation, and asked if they were each given money $200 for Christmas, would they be willing to spend $150 of that to buy plane tickets to go to WDW. They both very enthusiastically said yes. My son said that would be better than any toy he could buy.

I kind of look at it not so much like they are helping pay for a family vacation, as much as they are paying for an extra trip. As long as it is their decision (and I do agree both kids must agree on it), and noone is trying to talk them into it.

Your kids are old enough to ask them. Explain the situation, tell them it is completely up to them, that they both must agree and then see what they say. Especially if they got a lot of "toys" for Christmas, this might be something they would love to do.

Good luck.

Either way we are going to discuss it. Honestly my youngest has no concept of just how much money she was given or what it would buy. Money burns a hole in her pocket and she would just keep piling up Webkinz until I said she had run out of money if we went shopping. The oldest DD is quite a bargain shopper and she is also the one who squirrels away her money.

 

[trivial]

I don't have a moral problem with it, but I wouldn't. If cash is that tight, I'd put off the trip for a while.

 

[mumom95]

Money burns a hole in her pocket and she would just keep piling up Webkinz until I said she had run out of money if we went shopping. .

My dd6 is the same way. It doesn't help that on the Webkinz site they get soemthing extra if they register 10 Webkinz. My dd is on a quest to get enough money to get up to 10 Webkinz now.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Nope. Never would ask them to pay. JMHO.

 

[wilderness01]

I also agree if $$ was that tight, I wouldn't do it. WDW, Universal, Sea World are money pits and it seems you can budget one thing and then always spend another. If you were just there, I would say to forgo until you can comfortably afford another trip.