Would you? Be the deciding vote please!

[kellyg403]

Ok, we have 6 kids. Oldest is 17, youngest 9. Good kids but normal kids. While on vacation my dh wants to spend a few hours on our own, eat dinner or something. He things that our 17 year old, who babysits at home, will be fine. I am a little leary, not sure if I feel comfortable and really don't want to spend the entire evening worrying about the kids. Ages, 17,14,13,12,11,9. They are well behaved and I don't think that they will cause a ruckus or anything. I am more concerned about "strangers". I am a little afraid they will be more trusting since we are in Disney. Can anyone come up with a happy medium. DH said no way for a babysitter. I already brought that up.

Pros and Cons please!

Kelly

 

[sara74]

Where are you all staying? If it is on property maybe you could eat at a place in or near your hotel. Personally I would go for it. 17 is old enough to not be so trusting for most kids, and I think if you ordered them to stay in the room they would be just fine. It's not like the oldest is taking the rest of them to a park or anything!

 

[MOMOFMNM]

yes if responsible and you have a cell phone and if you are staying on property I would suggest a resort restaurant....

 

[DVCLiz]

Gosh, with kids that age, especially a 17 year old, why not let them have a few hours in a park by themselves? Of course, you could spell out the restrictions ("You can stay in TomorrowLand and get dinner at Cosmic Ray's, and we want you to call us every hour") or whatever, but they certainly sound old enough to have a little freedom, especially if they are good kids. You and DH could spend some time together at dinner or any other location you chose. Sounds like fun to me!!!!

 

[kellyg403]

We are staying at CBR, maybe the deciding factor will be which building since it seems so BIG. I probably am just being paranoid. All the kids except for the 9 year pretty much take care of themselves. I mean we have already decided the 4 older girls will be able to separate from us in the parks if there is something they want to do we don't...guess that would be worse than staying in the resort by themselves. I thought about the kids clubs for the 2 boys, 9-11. Do you have to stay at a certain resort to do those???

Thanks
Kelly

 

[Mom to Jordan]

I would not spend the money on a kids club. They should all be fine together. i would try to plan something special for them while you guys have dinner out. Perhaps if they stay at the resort let them order pizza and then crash in front of the TV. What about doing dinner at DTD and letting them go to Disney Quest or Have dinner at Epcot while they spend some time in the park and they meet you to watch illumination. I might would take advantage of EMH one night and eat dinner in the same park but let them grab counter service and do some rides.
All assuming that the older ones have good control over the younger ones and you have good working cells. Good luck.

Jordans' mom

 

[rchristiansen]

In high school I stayed in the hotel room by myself with other girls aged 14 and then again at age 15. There were chaperones on the trip, but they were in their own rooms.

So based on that I think your children would be fine in the room alone. If they wanted to go to the parks without you - I would only send the 13, 14 and 17 year old and send the others to the Kids Clubs.

I think thought just one night in the hotel room by themselves would be fine. Like other's said let them order pizza and just hang out. It would probably do them good to have a "downtime" evening anyways

 

[adisneymama]

I would let them stay in the room and order the pizza etc. Since you said the 17 yo babysits at home anyway. I would explain to them that the same rules as home apply etc. Do not open the door for anyone other than you etc. Sounds like they are good responsible kids and as long as the 17 yo doesn't have problems watching them at home, then I would do it. I wouldn't let them do the parks alone though. Maybe you could go to DTD that day and let them pick out a toy or game at Once upon a toy. Would give them something new to entertain themselves in the room while eating pizza. You could make it into their own "party" in the room.

G/L I think they will be fine!

 

[MrsPete]

With kids that age, I'd be fine with them having a "room party" as someone else suggested -- obviously, just your own family. Let them order pizza, etc.

However, I would not allow them to leave the room -- period, no discussion. I'd explain ahead of time that there's no going to the pool, no running to the food court, no going for ice, nothing. I'm sure the 17 year old is old enough to be responsible for the group, but I don't think s/he should be monitoring the behavior of all six "out and about". It would be too easy to lock themselves out of the room, to fail to watch one of the younger ones at the pool for just a minute . . . but in the room should be fine.

 

[rt2dz]

Well, I moved out of my house and was completely on my own at 18. Most kids go off to college at 18. If you can't trust a child at 17, how are they going to handle life on their own at 18??? I guess what I'm saying is I think at 17, and the ages of the other children, staying in the room by theirselves for a few hours should be fine. And, yes, I do understand that it is a different situation/enviroment with several children that is making you nervious, I just don't think it would be a problem. Depending on the maturity of the 14,13, and 12 year old, they could probably spend the time at Disney Quest without much problems. But since you have the other two, I'd limit it to the room.

 

[Uuaww]

these kids are in disneyworld, make a restriction to stay in the park, they cannot leave under any circumstances. but honestly, if you would let them stay at home alone, then disneyworld should be no problem, they have so much stuff to do its rediculous. i personally am only 19 but my parents sent me and my sisters to disneyland when we were 18, 16, 13(me). disneyworld is one of the safest places and most of there time is gonna be sitting around doing nothing waiting in lines anyways.

 

[MrsPete]

these kids are in disneyworld, make a restriction to stay in the park, they cannot leave under any circumstances.

I wouldn't let them go into the parks. It's too easy for a group of six to be separated, then the 17 year old could be faced with searching for a lost child. If it were a 17 year old and ONE younger child, I'd have no problem with them being in the parks.

Well, I moved out of my house and was completely on my own at 18. Most kids go off to college at 18. If you can't trust a child at 17, how are they going to handle life on their own at 18???

Well, being responsible for yourself at 18 and responsible for 5 younger children at age 18 are not the same thing. Also, there's a big difference between 17 (probably a high school junior) and an 18 year old who's out of high school and in college/the work force. I'm always amazed when my recently-graduated students come back to visit me; what a difference just as few months makes.

 

[indigoxtreme]

Ask the 17 yr old if he/she would like to babysit the other children so you and dad can have a dinner out together. Pay her like she is babysitting and she will be even more responsible. Yes you have paid her way to Disney, but you are giving her a job to do. Also tell them to stay in the room, that the 17 yr old is in charge, order the pizza prior to your leaving so he/she will not open the door to anyone. Just in case of an emergency and you need to send someone to the room (ie accident one never knows) to get the children, have a special password that only you, hubby and she would know. That way for this circumstance the person you sent would have the word and she would know it is safe. They are old enough and you stated that there are good children, so you and hubby go for a few hours and enjoy yourselves.

 

[kellyg403]

Part of my troubles with the situation is not that I don't trust my 17 year old. She is mature, babysits for me and for others and has not had a problem. The younger children are good kids and know the consequences for their actions when I get home and the babysitter is not happy. That being said my paranioa stems from being in strange place more than anything. At home if there is trouble, my daughter has neighbors and a plan to get out, where to meet etc. At Disney she doesn't. She probably would still handle it well even in Disney but I would hate for something to happen and she not know anyone to help her until I can get there. DH doesn't understand this concept. My comfort level. That if I am not comfortable I won't have a good time and we might as well have not gone! It feels like such a responsibility to place on her AWAY from home! I have no idea if I am making any sense but that is how I am looking at things. We have agreed to a middle of the road. If we get there, and once I see how things are and we don't have strange hotel neighbors I will see what we can do. But right now, I can't make a decision!

Kelly

 

[kellyg403]

Ask the 17 yr old if he/she would like to babysit the other children so you and dad can have a dinner out together. Pay her like she is babysitting and she will be even more responsible. Yes you have paid her way to Disney, but you are giving her a job to do. Also tell them to stay in the room, that the 17 yr old is in charge, order the pizza prior to your leaving so he/she will not open the door to anyone. Just in case of an emergency and you need to send someone to the room (ie accident one never knows) to get the children, have a special password that only you, hubby and she would know. That way for this circumstance the person you sent would have the word and she would know it is safe. They are old enough and you stated that there are good children, so you and hubby go for a few hours and enjoy yourselves.

Hey, I never thought of the password! Good idea!! Would you recommend someone at the front desk maybe? My daughter has already said "just go mom you are being silly!" Maybe this would make me feel better about it!

Kelly

 

[kellyg403]

Hey, does anyone know if you can hook up an Xbox to the TV's at CBR???
Since we will have connecting rooms maybe I can set up the boy's Xbox and surprise them with a game. That should keep them occupied and out of daughter's hair for 2 hours! Can you order movies or is there a DVD player? We were bringing DVD's anyway for the ride.. Hmmmm...maybe DH will be happy after all...thanks for all help everyone!

Kelly

 

[DisneyGrandParents]

Geez, let them go and have fun. You go and have fun. Tell them to buddy-system if they split up for a while. They will enjoy the break and so will you.

You will probably be surprised (and proud) at how well they do.

Have fun.

 

[indigoxtreme]

Kelly, you could even give the pass word to someone at Home, grandparents, so in case there was an emergency and someone needed to get the children, have a note on your person to contact whomever. Then it would be the call of that adult to see about the children. I wouldn't give it to the front desk unless there was a problem and you wanted the management to get the children for you. Only give it out to the person who would be responsible to get the children. Likewise make sure your daughter knew where you were going or cell phone info, if she has a problem instruct her to call the front desk if she cannot get you and ask them to locate you. Disney can and will find you. She can pass the word to them at that time. Tell Mom Lisa said "the sky is green and the grass is blue" something like this. Most police understand this as it was taught to many people for safety. I think you should relax as long as she knows the rules and you trust her, go and enjoy. Call her in between entree and dessert to check in. Let her know you will call every 45 minutes etc or you will call at 7:14 pm and 8:46 pm etc.

I felt completely safe this Sept at POFQ it was wonderful...Enjoy yourselves.

 

[adisneymama]

I agree with the password suggestion. Tell your DD ahead of time, but don't tell management etc. The word would be given out by your or your dh in the event you needed someone to take a message to your children. I understand about it not being a familiar area. I still say let them stay in the room order pizza etc. However, to make you feel better, how about you do a "drill" once you get there. You can act like there is an emergency and demonstrate what the children are to do. This way, they will have it fresh on their minds. I know you can hook up the portable DVD player and I think you can the game box, but not positive. Go and enjoy yourselves. You will have a great time and so will they! Oh and I agree, order the pizza before you leave. Make sure you are there when it is delivered. Never can tell these days. Good suggestion.

 

[MrsPete]

That being said my paranioa stems from being in strange place more than anything. At home if there is trouble, my daughter has neighbors and a plan to get out, where to meet etc. At Disney she doesn't.

I understand your paranoia perfectly! At home your daughter has a "safety network" of friends, neighbors, etc. whom she could call at a moment's notice.

What you need to do is create a "safety network" for your 17 year old at Disney. Show her how to use the in-room phones, which are probably not quite like the ones at your house. Show her how to reach the front desk or security with the push of one button. Run through situations in which she might need to call the front desk: toilet is overflowing and can't be stopped, for example. Hopefully you and your husband will be accessible by cell phone.

If they're staying in the room, there's little chance anything would go wrong, but it is possible. Last summer we were in a hotel mid-afternoon -- just the girls and I, Dad was at a conference -- we'd been swimming, and I had one daughter in the tub preparing for dinner. Everything was fine and dandy, just the three of us hanging around in the room watching cartoons. Then the fire alarm sounded. I'd never heard a fire alarm in a hotel before, and it scared me. I yanked daughter #1 out of the tub in a hurry, and we all left the hotel. We were outside for about 30 minutes, but when we were allowed back in we learned that the problem had been nowhere near our room. So unexpected things CAN happen.