Would you go alone with 3 kids (1,5,7) for 2 extra weeks

[detroitmama]

Hi! Our family is going to Disney for the first time 4/24 to 5/8. We got the 30 day Fun in the sun tickets, for which we are very excited. We are staying in a vacation home at Indian Creek and are flying from Detroit.

Ok, here's the question - if I could go for two extra weeks from 4/11-4/24 with just the kids (hubby can't get more time off, shucks), would I have enough extra fun to justify the extra stress and expense ($1500, mostly for lodging and car rental.) ???

I'm very independent by nature, and even though most of my friends think I'm crazy to consider this, it does sound kinda fun. BTW, I'm kinda used to being alone with the kids, since my hubby is a medical resident and works crazy hours.

The reason to go two extra weeks is that 1) our pass lasts that long!, 2) my older daughter has 4/11 week off of school, so she could go for two more weeks and only miss one more week of school (I did call the school district and they have NO rules about how long I can take a first grader out of school, so I would just have to ok it with her teacher. I know, crazy, but she is 2 grades ahead in most subjects.)

Here's my plan - I have Unoffical Guide book and Tourguidemike, so I know pretty well how to avoid crowds. I would probably spend the majority of our time at MK and AK and waterparks. I would do mornings, then take a break at lunchtime for a few hours, then head to a park or waterpark in the late afternoon, then probably skip most evening entertainment in favor of waiting until daddy was there to help me.

With the rental house, we would have our own pool, and seperate bedrooms, and my one year old could nap while we swam in the afternoons.

I've flown before with me and the kids, so that doesn't scare me. But maybe some of your advice will help me decide. Has anyone ever done this? Would you do this?

Thanks!

 

[scanne]

Hey if you can swing the $$$, I say go for it! What better way to bond with your kids then at Disney. And since you'll have the rental house, you'll be able to cut the cost of food and cook some meals at the house.

Hey, you only live once. What a great memory to create for you and your family!!!

 

[rnnomore]

I agree. Go for it! Life is too short and you never know what may happen.

 

[Luv2trav]

While I agree with the others.... You mention you DD is ok with skipping 2 weeks what about the other older child? I think it would be great if you could take off for a whole month!! I only caution taking the children out of school for that long regardless how well they do... IMO.

 

[detroitmama]

Thanks for your input so far. My 5 year old DD is still in preschool, as as she likes to say, "Mom, all we do at school is play!", so I'm not too worried about her missing. I do admit being concerned about pulling the 7 year old DD out of school for 3 weeks. Honestly, I haven't talked to her teacher yet, mostly because I want to be settled in my own mind before I approach her. I know a lot of people are concerned about education, and I agree to a point. I honestly feel that at the age of my girls, that they learn much more during their time with me than they do at school! Anyhow, I don't really want to inspire lots of comments about taking out of school vs not, but would love to get more input on the feasiblity of coping with 3 kids AT disney. Thanks!

 

[laceemouse]

I say no because even though my hubby works long hours, and I am alone with 4 kids most of the time, he is still home almost every night and I would really miss him. The best part of ANY vacation to me is having my handsome, wonderful husband with me 24/7. Not only do I enjoy his company but he helps a lot with the kids when he IS around. He just got back from a 2 week business trip and it was awful when he was gone. I think you are very lucky to get a 2 week vacation together, we never get more than a week due to his work. I don't take my kids out of school for vacations anymore but they are older than yours are, and the extra money may be an issue to most people, but the main reason I would not do it is I like having the whole family TOGETHER as much as possible. JMHO....

 

[luvaladdin]

I wouldn't do it. 1. Taking your child out of school for 3 weeks is a lot. 2. Will you get overwhelmed/exhausted by yourself with the 3 kids? 3. Will 3 weeks simply be too much of a good thing? 4. $ - how about using the $1500 for another trip this summer?

Good luck to you in whatever you decide, please let us know.

 

[safetymom]

When my husband died I was left to care for my 3 young children. It is amazing what a mother can do if she is determined. I say stay the extra weeks. There is also lots of educational things you could do while you were visiting the parks too. Think of some activities that you daughter could share with the class. Ask her teacher if there is something she could do will on vacation and report on when she gets back.

 

[DisneyEnthusiastic]

I say do it! The best time I had in Disney was when I went alone with my 3 kids last summer. That is why I am doing it again this year! I spend so much time with them while DH is working, but I still jumped at the chance to go alone with them. Besides, he'll be there after the 2 weeks. As far as school goes, I'm sure she can take any work she will miss with her to Florida. Have fun!

 

[mudnuri]

Is this your first trip to Disney- or the kids first?

The only negative I can see here, other than 3 weeks out of school, which even if they dont do a lot of 'hard learning' she's going to lack the routine etc... but the other negaive I see is that you'll be enjoying WDW without your husband/ the kids fathers.

I can't imagine going to WDW with my DD's for their first trip without DH, even though in your case he's catching up later in the trip....but if it's not your DD's first trip, then maybe thats different...I dont know, thats the part I would think about.

When DH owned his last business he worked from 5am-8pm 6 days a week, with a 1 hour commute added to that each way, so I can understand being without support during a normal week, however it's a lot different than being on vacation, kids are in routines at home, know the boundaries etc..

I took DD7 to Texas when she was 5 for a long weekend just before xmas with my mom, aunt, and 2 teen cousins, and it was a LOT different than being home with both DD's.

If financially and everything else you can swing it, go ahead..but I know my DD's would miss there father horribly for that long!....he went to Amsterdam for 10 days, and it was a VERY LONG 10 days!

Brandy

 

[buzz'smom2]

I would go. I have a first and third grader. They go to a very challenging school. There is a child in my first grader's class who visited family for one month this school year--and one month last school year. He has done fine.

I have taken my kids out of school for up to one week. They have ALWAYS returned ahead of the other kids. (I assure the teacher that we will keep up on things and ask for alll work the kids may do while we are gone. Additionally, I propose extra work for the kids to do. My kids usually have a day or two of work done which the kids at school have not yet done.) I think submitting a list of the extra projects for the kids to do when I approach the teacher about the trip helps. The teachers have always been very supportive and positive about our decision to spend time as a family. (I am not trying to start a debate about taking your kids out of school, but do want to give another perspective on that issue.)

By the way, some of the extra activities we did on our recent trip for our first grader were as follows (he missed 3 days of school):

1. His class was going to start a unit on Mexico the week we returned. He interviewed several of the CM's in Mexico and wrote a report. (He asked them about differences in school, language spoken, largest city, etc.) Just thinking up the questions was an interesting experience. For example, they were just finishing up a unit of ancient Eygpt, so he wanted to know whether they used the same alphabet that we do. His report was about 8 sentences long. The CM's in Mexico were GREAT when answering his questions and even gave him info on subjects he did not raise.

2. Each day he read for at least 30 minutes. (He was allowed to carry "credit" forward. Therefore, when he read for 60 minutes at the airport and on the plane, he could carry 30 minutes forward. For some reason, he really liked that idea, and did a lot of extra reading to build up credit--that he never used!)

3. Each day (including the weekend), he wrote in a journal book we brought. He wrote about 4 sentences each day.

4. He brought $50 in spending money. Whenever he wanted to buy anything, he had to calculate how much money he would have left if he made the purchase. (You'd be amazed how much that cut back on purchases.) We did this with both kids, and it was the first time they came back with left over money. They kept track of money spent in their journal books.

5. Map reading. One day the kids were in charge of park navigation. They worked together and took turns navigating. They LOVED this.

6. He wrote a post card to his grandparents.

Good luck!

 

[dijid]

Is there anyone else who might want to join you during those two weeks? Any friends or relatives? I'd be willing to maybe do an extra week, but not two extra weeks unless I had someone else there to give me a hand and help out. I'd also miss my DH terribly. If you are excited about it, and the kids are, too, then I think you should do it.

 

[Doodlebug939]

I say go for it. I have a son in Kindergarten and the teacher was fine when we pulled him out for a week. I know there has been a lot of debate about this in other forums but only you know your child. My son's teacher said that her problem was not getting the work together for us but in her experience in the past parents wouldnt make their kids do the work so therefore the kids were behind. If you make a policy or agreement with your child that the work gets done then I would go for it.

I am a military wife and my husband if often gone and I am here with the two kids for sometimes weeks or months at a time. I share special moments with them that I wouldnt trade for a lifetime. So although I dont enjoy my husband being gone I make the best of it. I know a lot of single mothers who would jump at the chance to take their child on a vacation but cannot afford the opportunity.

I would find creative ways to make the park different and exciting. Like others have mentioned. Give the kids each their own day to pick a park they want to do and eat where they want. Have a special child day for each child. Let them choose. Often parents (including myself) delegate where to go. Give the two older ones the ropes for one day and see what you learn new about your child. Enjoy!!!!

 

[bobcat]

I say go for it! This is an experience that you can share with your children that will last a lifetime. Wiht your husband being a resident I can only imagine his hours are crazy at best, and while the kids will probably miss him while you are gone you will have an incredible bonding time with just you and the kids. The uninterupted time I get to spend with my kids during our vacations is very precious to me and even though I am a single parent life has a way of getting busy at home and there is never uninterupted time. If I could afford a month I would definately do it!

You have thought about your daughters schooling and as long as you maintain a routine for school work she should be ok with the extra time off school.

 

[Belle5]

I did this alone with an 11, 9, 7, 5 and 4 month old 6 years ago. The first week my mom met me there. The second I was on my own. We had a blast. I would not hesitate to do it again. While it was nice having my mom that first week we really enjoyed the week with "just us". You know your kids and how well you do with them. Go with your gut. Oh, yeah--the first week we were in a villa off property and did a lot of Sea World, US, and Busch Gardens kind of stuff. The second week we were in the cabins in FW and did WDW stuff. I have to admit that it really did help when I was alone without DH to be "on property".

 

[my3girlstoo]

Only comment I want to make is just take your kids personalities into account. I have three daughters about your kids ages. Wouldn't worry about taking them out of school or that I couldn't handle them without dad but my middle-5 year-old hates being away from home. It's just how she is, so our Disney trip won't be longer than 7 nights. She gets very homesick. Are your kids okay with extended trips? Then go for it if they are.

 

[Tinkermom]

I think a lot of us have no problem going to the parks alone with our kids. I remember the first time I went with my three kids alone I was a little nervous but it was great. You know yourself and your kids. I don't know about yours but mine always seem to be better on vacations therefore easier to be with.

The school thing is a minimal issue, for a first grader. Many home schoolers do most of there classwork on the road. Make it educational every chance you get. There is plenty of opportunity to do that in WDW.

The "first time" thing however is something I'd think about, these are memories for a lifetime. Perhaps you could save some "FIRSTS" for dad to do with the kids and you when he finaly joins you.

When we go we never like staying for less than 13 days, there is just too much to see and do and if your time is limited than every day seems like a rat race. When you spend a lot of time there you can really take it easy and enjoy the surroundings. I say STAY!!!!

 

[detroitmama]

Wow, Thanks for all the great insite and advice. Ok, I think I have decided to NOT go for the two extra weeks this time. A few people mentioned that DH would want to be there to see his kid's faces for their first disney experience. I really appreciate that insight, because I hadn't given that serious consideration.

Also, I appreciated the great advice about educational opportunies for my girls at Disney. I will definitely use those.

Another thought I had is that I was considering going during spring break/easter break. Probably not the best time to go for extra fun.

Lastly, I was touched by the encouragement I received from moms who have braved the trip alone. I think that if we enjoy this first trip as much as I think we will, that I will be ready to go by myself sometime when DH can't get off work. Also, I think that I'll use my DD's spring break next month to take a trip with the kids to Chicago for a couple of days. Kinda an easy trial run, too.

Ah, and the money I'll save - well, our ten year anniversary is coming up! A caribbean cruise sounds divine. Minus the kids, of course.