Would you leave a 9-year-old while you go on a ride?

[Slapshot1188]

Note that that didn't take place at Disney World. If you google any profession you will find a number of creeps. Babysitters, day care workers, police. You can't keep your kids tied to your side 24/7 and expect them to magically be strong adults at 18.

My point is that Disney, as much as we would like, is still part of the real world. My oldest is actually turning 18 in June. He's a pretty impressive kid if I do say so myself but thanks for the advice anyhow!

 

[Kimberly9701]

Bad people can be anywhere...

http://wfla.com/2015/08/05/2-walt-disney-world-workers-arrested-in-polk-sex-sting/

Yes, bad people can be anywhere. So you have 2 choices-

1. Lock your kid inside and let them experience absolutely nothing in life.

2. Teach them to be aware of danger, but to enjoy life to the fullest..because we only get one chance at it. Let them love the world they live in, have a desire to travel said world, be successful and take risks in life, and to not be afraid of independence.

This is not a helicopter vs free range debate. I don't consider myself either one. I don't think the op sounds like either one. I think it's just simply, being normal- not one extreme or the other.

My son attends a catholic school.. And will continue a Catholic education thru high school and maybe beyond.. Should I have not enrolled him in this school bc there have been Catholic priests who have molested little boys?

 

[maxiesmom]

My point is that Disney, as much as we would like, is still part of the real world. My oldest is actually turning 18 in June. He's a pretty impressive kid if I do say so myself but thanks for the advice anyhow!

Again, the article you quoted, the events did not happen at Walt Disney World. But I agree Disney World is part of the real world. A part with cameras everywhere but the bathroom stalls.

 

[CandiceF]

I am not jumping in on this debate except to say sometimes wait times can be really long! We were stuck on Pirates of the Caribbean last fall for 20+ minutes when it broke down.

 

[TJDisneymama]

I would for sure feel safer leaving my young child alone at WDW than I would at any other public place - mall, park, movie theater, etc. As I said earlier, there are so many people around - the majority being parents who tend to notice what's going on around them, SO many CMs (who are more attentive to guests than probably any other employees anywhere), SO many undercover security, and SO many cameras...I don't think you could so much as spit without one of the above mentioned seeing it. Much less abduct or violate a child.

 

[Slapshot1188]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/15/disney-employees-child-sex-charges_n_5587395.html

At least 35 Disney employees in and around Florida have been arrested and accused of sex crimes involving children since 2006, CNN reports as part of a six-month investigation. So far, 32 of those cases have resulted in convictions.

“Wherever you find children, you’ll find sexual predators that want to be there,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. The report reveals an urgent problem plaguing our theme parks.

 

[Kimberly9701]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/15/disney-employees-child-sex-charges_n_5587395.html

At least 35 Disney employees in and around Florida have been arrested and accused of sex crimes involving children since 2006, CNN reports as part of a six-month investigation. So far, 32 of those cases have resulted in convictions.

“Wherever you find children, you’ll find sexual predators that want to be there,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. The report reveals an urgent problem plaguing our theme parks.

Have you checked sex offenders in your area? Because unless you live in a rural area, I'm sure you'll see little dots all over the surrounding areas of where you live. If so, do you not let a child play outside?
I'm not being snarky, I'm actually very curious.
And again, the catholic school comment.. Do you think I, or any other parent who sends their child to a catholic school, are putting our children at risk? Because by your risk factors we would be.

 

[maxiesmom]

Have you checked sex offenders in your area? Because unless you live in a rural area, I'm sure you'll see little dots all over the surrounding areas of where you live. If so, do you not let a child play outside?
I'm not being snarky, I'm actually very curious.
And again, the catholic school comment.. Do you think I, or any other parent who sends their child to a catholic school, are putting our children at risk? Because by your risk factors we would be.

Also note that none listed in the article were cases of the accused or convicted molesting children in the parks.

Out of over 62,000 employees I'm not surprised some are found guilty of sex crimes. 35 out of that many is a very tiny percent.

 

[Slapshot1188]

Have you checked sex offenders in your area? Because unless you live in a rural area, I'm sure you'll see little dots all over the surrounding areas of where you live. If so, do you not let a child play outside?
I'm not being snarky, I'm actually very curious.

One of the things we did before we moved here 8 years ago was to check. They have online websites that show you. Also, note that those were not "just" sex offenders but rather ones that specifically involved children. My point again, is that Disney is part of the real world. I wish is was a magically safe place where no bad people went, but that's just not possible.

Hey, I'm not about to tell anyone they are wrong for leaving a child unattended in a crowded theme park. That is a choice each parent gets to make. I just think it's ridiculous that folks believe they are parenting experts and want to tell other people that their kids would somehow be maladjusted or not self sufficient if not allowed the space to grow on their own. Give me a break...

 

[Kimberly9701]

And while we're talking statistics,
17.2 million people per year visit Disney world. (I just googled it)
So, out of over 170,000,000 people who have visited, there have been 35 cases? You have a higher probability of being in a severe car accident. Or winning the lottery.

 

[maxiesmom]

One of the things we did before we moved here 8 years ago was to check. They have online websites that show you. Also, note that those were not "just" sex offenders but rather ones that specifically involved children. My point again, is that Disney is part of the real world. I wish is was a magically safe place where no bad people went, but that's just not possible.

You have yet to post a statistic or article about any child being molested in the parks.

 

[TJDisneymama]

Yes but from what I can tell, not one of the crimes happened in WDW....

And also, "The numbers reported by CNN represent one one-hundredth of 1 percent of the 300,000 people we have employed during this time period,” spokeswoman Jacquee Wahler said".
So A hundredth of 1% of employees? That seems pretty damn good....... I mean, who knows what the % of the general population would be. Probably higher.

 

[Kimberly9701]

Also note that none listed in the article were cases of the accused or convicted molesting children in the parks.

Out of over 62,000 employees I'm not surprised some are found guilty of sex crimes. 35 out of that many is a very tiny percent.

I think the percentage is what people aren't grasping. It's, again, irrational. I don't buy lottery tickets, but by that same rationale I should buy one everyday, and honestly believe that I will win.lol

 

[Slapshot1188]

You have yet to post a statistic or article about any child being molested in the parks.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/man-molests-girls-swimming-disney-world-cops-article-1.1874794

...

 

[Angel Ariel]

My apologies. I forgot about "free ranging kids". My bad. Carry on.

Leaving a kid to play unattended in a playroom, or lie down for a nap alone, or play in a backyard alone is free range parenting? I think there may be some misunderstanding as to what free range parenting really means.

 

[Slapshot1188]

You have yet to post a statistic or article about any child being molested in the parks.

Another... pretty disturbing...

http://disneyhub.blogspot.com/2015/10/exclusive-disney-transferred-manager.html

 

[Kimberly9701]

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/man-molests-girls-swimming-disney-world-cops-article-1.1874794

...

Again, to keep this in the realm or reality and logical thinking.. Take a look at the number of people who visit, and then divide that by the number of child molestation incidents.
I'm sure that the number that you come up with will be a better percentage than the choice to get in your automobile everyday and not have a fatal accident.

 

[Kimberly9701]

People can take the smallest percentage of a possibility of something "bad" happening and turn it into a probability or high risk.
People are doing the same in regards to visiting Europe right now.
It's all ridiculous. You can find danger in everything. The choice is- live in a bubble or not.
It breaks down to being that simple.
To use such small percentage chances as a reason not to do something is completely over reacting.

 

[Slapshot1188]

Again, to keep this in the realm or reality and logical thinking.. Take a look at the number of people who visit, and then divide that by the number of child molestation incidents.
I'm sure that the number that you come up with will be a better percentage than the choice to get in your automobile everyday and not have a fatal accident.

I agree, and I don't think there is a large chance of a sexual predator grabbing a child in Disney World. My point again is that it's part of the real world. Every parent gets to evaluate that risk/benefit. If you want to allow your 9 year old to wait at the exit of a ride in a theme park go right ahead. I'm not going to tell you it's "wrong". It's just not for me nor something I would do. That's fine. It's the wanna be child psychologists that say my kids will never be "strong" at 18 unless I do this that I find silly.

 

[Kimberly9701]

I agree, and I don't think there is a large chance of a sexual predator grabbing a child in Disney World. My point again is that it's part of the real world. Every parent gets to evaluate that risk/benefit. If you want to allow your 9 year old to wait at the exit of a ride in a theme park go right ahead. I'm not going to tell you it's "wrong". It's just not for me nor something I would do. That's fine. It's the wanna be child psychologists that say my kids will never be "strong" at 18 unless I do this that I find silly.

I can only speak for myself, and I am definitely not a child psychologist, nor do I need to be to have common sense.
The op said her daughter is stubborn and that she has been unwilling to try anything, therefore she does not know if she would be afraid. Also, there is another child involved who would probably like to ride a rollercoaster with his mother.

You don't need a psychology degree to know that catering to a stubborn child, enabling and coddling a fear, can in no way benefit them. I've said it a few times- most likely what will happen is the daughter will end up riding, which would be the best scenario for all

These ridiculous posts about free range parenting/never leave a child unattended/didn't go anywhere alone until age 16/could get molested at Disney world are frightening.

It's sad to see so many truly negative and frightful, and judgemental people.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I just think it's ridiculous that folks believe they are parenting experts and want to tell other people that their kids would somehow be maladjusted or not self sufficient if not allowed the space to grow on their own. Give me a break...

I certainly don't believe I'm a parenting expert of any kind, nor do I think kids will be maladjusted or not self sufficient if they aren't allowed to wait alone in a theme park at 9 years old.

That said, from everything I've learned about child development as a teacher and a parent, yes I do believe it is harmful to a child's development to *never* leave them unattended. Not letting a child ever play in a room alone? Or take a nap alone? Or play in their backyard alone? Ever? That is an extreme that I do believe *could* negatively affect a child's view of the world to the point that they *could* have issues navigating the world on their own as an adult without anxiety. (emphasis on *could* as I'm not saying it's a definite at all, as - again - I'm not an expert and don't claim to be).