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

[ClarabelleCowFan]

We have a chance to go with DH to Orlando for a week for training for his job. The Army would pay for the room and DH's ticket and rental car plus provide him with a per diem for meals and incidentals.

The 3 kids and I could go but it would cost us airfare, tickets, meals, 2 extra hotel nights and possibly an additional rental car. Money is a little too tight right now for all of that so there is really not enough money in the budget for the airfare so we haven't even told the kids there is a possibility of this trip.

The older kids (DD13 and DD9) got quite a bit of cash for Christmas this year from Grandparents, their Dad and an Uncle ($550 between the 2 kids!) and as far as I know they really have no specific plans for that money - meaning they haven't been saving up for anything specific.

Right now we can get airfare on Southwest for about $150 Round Trip per person for the dates we need.

Would you tell your kids of the possible Disney trip but ask them to pay their own airfare from their Christmas money? They would still have over $100 each leftover after airfare for "spending money".

I can come up with the money for my ticket by putting a few things on ebay or Craigslist - much more likely to come up with $150 for 1 ticket instead of $450 for 3 tickets!

I am really struggling with this but also know how much my kids love WDW and would love to go on an "extra" trip.

 

[KirstenB]

I wouldn't rule it out, but how would the "givers" of the money feel? Would they be cool with it? I know a gift's a gift, however, I'd imagine they'd find out when they asked the kids if they had bought something yet? If I read this correctly, some of the money came from their Dad? Do you and he have a good relationship?

It's a hard question. Our 9 yr old has gotten cash over the years, and she'd be totally cool with this. But she doesn't really buy a lot of stuff yet, and what little she asks for, I just buy for her. I forget she's gotten money, and just tend to buy for her. Anyway, good luck with your decision.

 

[MoniqueU]

Maybe if I was going to pay the kids back the money, otherwise for kids that age no. I think their money is special to them and should be used on things they want and not a family trip. Plus with all the other expenses you listed and food I think you would be cutting it tight budget wise.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I wouldn't rule it out, but how would the "givers" of the money feel? Would they be cool with it? I know a gift's a gift, however, I'd imagine they'd find out when they asked the kids if they had bought something yet? If I read this correctly, some of the money came from their Dad? Do you and he have a good relationship?

It's a hard question. Our 9 yr old has gotten cash over the years, and she'd be totally cool with this. But she doesn't really buy a lot of stuff yet, and what little she asks for, I just buy for her. I forget she's gotten money, and just tend to buy for her. Anyway, good luck with your decision.

Yes my ex and I are actually very close friends and talk almost daily. I would run it by him first before talking to the kids but I highly doubt he would mind at all nor would his Mom. In fact my ex actually joined us on our last WDW trip in September (with his own room obviously) so he could see the kids for a few days. If he wanted to do the same this trip that would be fine too but he has to work.

 

[disneyjunkie]

We have a chance to go with DH to Orlando for a week for training for his job. The Army would pay for the room and DH's ticket and rental car plus provide him with a per diem for meals and incidentals.

The 3 kids and I could go but it would cost us airfare, tickets, meals, 2 extra hotel nights and possibly an additional rental car. Money is a little too tight right now for all of that so there is really not enough money in the budget for the airfare so we haven't even told the kids there is a possibility of this trip.

The older kids (DD13 and DD9) got quite a bit of cash for Christmas this year from Grandparents, their Dad and an Uncle ($550 between the 2 kids!) and as far as I know they really have no specific plans for that money - meaning they haven't been saving up for anything specific.

Right now we can get airfare on Southwest for about $150 Round Trip per person for the dates we need.

Would you tell your kids of the possible Disney trip but ask them to pay their own airfare from their Christmas money? They would still have over $100 each leftover after airfare for "spending money".

I can come up with the money for my ticket by putting a few things on ebay or Craigslist - much more likely to come up with $150 for 1 ticket instead of $450 for 3 tickets!

I am really struggling with this but also know how much my kids love WDW and would love to go on an "extra" trip.

I couldn't do it.

Could you all drive down? Could you cut out the two extra nights? Skip the extra rental car?

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Maybe if I was going to pay the kids back the money, otherwise for kids that age no. I think their money is special to them and should be used on things they want and not a family trip. Plus with all the other expenses you listed and food I think you would be cutting it tight budget wise.

True - I could pay them back when I get my Spring stuff listed on ebay. The hotel luckily has a free breakfast buffet but no hotel shuttle to the parks so we would need the extra rental car since DH will need his car to drive back and forth to training.

I couldn't do it.

Could you all drive down? Could you cut out the two extra nights? Skip the extra rental car?

No on the driving. We are almost 1000 miles away and DS7months gets very carsick so just the drive to the airport 35 miles away is rough enough plus DH has to fly so that would leave me driving alone with 3 kids 2000 miles round trip - gas would cost as much as airfare at that rate.

The 2 extra nights would allow us to stay the entire week instead of just the 5 nites that will be paid for and will let us be able to do at least 1 park day with DH.

I feel like a bad parent for even thinking this way but I know my kids and know if they found out they could have gone to WDW but didn't they would be pretty upset - at least the oldest one would.

 

[lil mermaid]

At that age - no, I wouldn't. I couldn't do that.

 

[rt2dz]

I would never ask my kids at that age to contribute to a trip, but that's me. I think it is more important for them to spend their money in a way that is totally their idea and/or to stick it in the bank until they decide to spend it. I encourage my kids to save as much money as they can for when they really need it--car, college, etc.

If you do decide to borrow the money, which I think is a ligament option, I'd be sure to pay them back in a timely manner as you would any other bill.

I know it's tuff. Two years ago, DH had a conference at WDW and for the price of airfare; it could have been a nice week for all of us. We even had season passes that were still good, but the cash just wasn't there yet for the next trip so we passed. My oldest wasn't happy, but that's just the way it goes in life. No cash on hand = no vacation.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I feel like a bad parent for even thinking this way but I know my kids and know if they found out they could have gone to WDW but didn't they would be pretty upset - at least the oldest one would.

You're not a bad parent.

I would just skip this trip. They've been before and they will go again.

They'll get over being upset.

 

[Minnie]

No, personally I wouldn't do it.

If money is too tight to comfortably enjoy the trip without asking the children for their "gift" money, then I wouldnt take the trip.

Sorry to be a downer, but that's my opinion.

 

[RedAlfalfa]

I see no problem with it.
My grandma always gave money for Christmas. She'd give $200 per person. My Mom would use the money for Christmas. It's a little different since we didn't know we had the money- we just got the gifts...but the same since my Grandma knew my Mom used the money to give us a nice Christmas.

I think the kids are old enough to make the decision. If you think you can swing it finacially ask them. It's their money to spend and if they want to use it for Disney that is their choice. I personally can't think of a better Christmas present. Just make sure if they say they want to do it you can. It would be hard to get excited and then have to tell them you can't go after all. And if they say then want to spend their money on other things be prepared to let the trip go as well.

 

[daisyduck123]

No.

If going to WDW meant we had to use our kids money to help fund the trip...then no, we wouldn't go.

I have no qualms about asking the grandparents for help though...they would give us the money, no questions asked.

 

[brightvalleyjrts]

Would their dad be willing to pay their airfare?? Maybe that would help out.????

 

[disneyjunkie]

I see no problem with it.
My grandma always gave money for Christmas. She'd give $200 per person. My Mom would use the money for Christmas. It's a little different since we didn't know we had the money- we just got the gifts...but the same since my Grandma knew my Mom used the money to give us a nice Christmas.

I think the kids are old enough to make the decision. If you think you can swing it finacially ask them. It's their money to spend and if they want to use it for Disney that is their choice. I personally can't think of a better Christmas present. Just make sure if they say they want to do it you can. It would be hard to get excited and then have to tell them you can't go after all. And if they say then want to spend their money on other things be prepared to let the trip go as well.

What happens if one child agrees and the other doesn't?

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I would never ask my kids at that age to contribute to a trip, but that's me. I think it is more important for them to spend their money in a way that is totally their idea and/or to stick it in the bank until they decide to spend it. I encourage my kids to save as much money as they can for when they really need it--car, college, etc.
No cash on hand = no vacation.

We also encourage the kids to save - half of their weekly allowance goes into a savings account that isn't touched - the other half of their allowance they are free to spend however they choose.

I agree about the no cash on hand = no vacation. Right now we have the cash for all of it except the airfare. Oh so close but yet so far....

I see no problem with it.
I think the kids are old enough to make the decision. If you think you can swing it finacially ask them. It's their money to spend and if they want to use it for Disney that is their choice. I personally can't think of a better Christmas present. Just make sure if they say they want to do it you can. It would be hard to get excited and then have to tell them you can't go after all. And if they say then want to spend their money on other things be prepared to let the trip go as well.

True - they may not want to go as much as I think they will.

Would their dad be willing to pay their airfare?? Maybe that would help out.????

I can ask but I know he can't swing both tickets right now. He would if he could and I wouldn't have a problem asking him. He does know about the possible trip but he has bills due this time of year and no extra money to spare.

What happens if one child agrees and the other doesn't?

Well they would both have to agree - we would make that clear.

I have been listing on ebay all night in hopes of making the money on my own so I don't have to even broach the subject but the longer I wait to book airfare the higher it goes. I have a friend here visiting this week and I am going to ask her to watch the baby so I can get more listed in the next few days.

Anyone have a money tree on hand I can borrow??

I do appreciate the input and opinions from everyone!

 

[LauraAnn630]

If the kids want to do it, then go for it!

Our kids save their money for things they want to buy on vacation, we make them save it. They often hate it but when we are there they are so happy they saved their money and can buy or spend what they want!

We buy them things to but they are big spenders on vacation so they have to save too! They love to shop in Epcot and we buy pins.

I dont see anything wrong with it if the kids agree this is what they want to do with the money.

Let us know!

 

[twooley2]

I would have to say this would have to be a family all inclusive decision. what happens if one says yes and the other says no. that is what would inevitably happen in my diverse family LOL.. Although a family is a family and I would think that if it is presented as a family type of decision based on each person being a contributing member in some fashion than why not. I think many have drifted from having kids be vital contributing members of a family nucleus as to say. Although if you feel guilty dont do it. It is whatever you feel comfortable doing. I know some families where the oldest still babysits the younger kids and helps around the house and such (for free) no maid fee is paid to kids or babysitting fees, so what would be the difference.

 

[sz9144]

sorry, but I would never ask my children to spend their gift money on a family vacation. I might make them pay for their own souvenirs, but never for their own airfare. not unless they were teenagers with part time jobs. you could ask them to look thru their toys etc and see what they might not use anymore and you can sell it for cash toward the trip. have them do odd jobs for neighbors- cat sitting, shoveling, taking in mail.

 

[powellrj]

I was thinking what would I do when I opened the thread and still didn't know, but when I saw the ages of the kids I would never do it.

DS is going to WDW for a choir trip this spring and we have had a hard time coming up with the money needed and I felt bad making him use his christmas money to finish paying for the trip and he knew up-front that any part not paid for by this time -Christmas money would be used to pay for it.

If your kids were older, I wouldn't see a problem, but when they are that young, I wouldn't ask them.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I think that is a tough one. I do "borrow " from DS from time to time but he is older and I pay it back. What I might so is to tell the children that daddy has a business trip to Orlando and you would like then family to go along but you have to figure out a way to get enough money to pay for the extra plance tickets. Just see what they say. They might offer the money. I think I would still pay it back to them. i would look for other ways to come up with the money, and would consider not adding the two extra days, 5 days at WDW is better than 0 days . i certainly do not think you are a bad mom for thinking about this idea. in reality I would just put it on our visa and pay it off when you get taxes or e-bay money but that is just the way I am, not the best solution!!

good luck!!