Would you let your 7 year old go to WDW without you?

[North of Mouse]

So I guess it just depends on your parenting style.

I never said anything of the sort. I gave two examples of very different parenting styles -------------------- Just different parenting styles, that's all.

This is what I was quoting about the parenting styles. Your dd is only 4, so the op's son being 6 makes a difference also. Having a trusted, loving aunt that is like a second mom like he does (like we had/have also) makes the big difference. No choice is wrong. So, again, it has nothing to do with parenting styles, but the situation at hand, and the comfort level of mom, child and aunt in this one situation. That is all I meant.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

I don't think parenting 'style' has anything to do with this situation. It's not like she would be letting him go with just anyone - nor is he anywhere close to being an infant!! This is a 'special' close sister, not an everyday thing. My sis and Mom were the 'only' ones I felt completely relaxed with occasionally leaving my children with - we, and our children had a very close relationship with them.

You make it sound like a bad thing to let a child have a little space away from you for a few nights - it's healthy with the right people - 'when' they are happy and content.

This is what I was quoting about the parenting styles. Your dd is only 4, so the op's son being 6 makes a difference also. Having a trusted, loving aunt that is like a second mom like he does (like we had/have also) makes the big difference. No choice is wrong. So, again, it has nothing to do with parenting styles, but the situation at hand, and the comfort level of mom, child and aunt in this one situation. That is all I meant.

Having different parenting styles in no way makes one family's choices better than the other's. In never meant to imply that all. The way you choose to raise your kids is your parenting style.

 

[mjkacmom]

I personally would not let my kids go so far away from home without me, even if I trust the person a thousand percent. Special moments like that, I'd want to be part of ...Also, I'd be constantly worried about them. That's just me though

When my kids are away from me (trip with another family, school trip, overseas dance competition with their teachers), I worry - all of the time. However, I suck it up and suffer, in order for them to have great experiences. Now that I have 2 away at college, the worry is still there - it never goes away. Huge downside of being a parent.

 

[mrsap]

When my kids are away from me (trip with another family, school trip, overseas dance competition with their teachers), I worry - all of the time. However, I suck it up and suffer, in order for them to have great experiences. Now that I have 2 away at college, the worry is still there - it never goes away. Huge downside of being a parent.

I hear ya! The worry stinks. Local trips are one thing, being 1,000 miles away at age 7 without me is a complete other. Not happening. That's just me though.

 

[Babydreamz]

I agree with everyone and would definitely let him go. If you have a good relationship with your SIL and so does your son I think it's great.

I don't think it's necessary to wait a few years before getting on a plane with your baby. In fact, as I remember it with both my kids they were much much easier on flights during their infant months. At 4 months my older DD was a dream, she slept from take off to landing. At that age, it doesn't take much to amuse them. A bottle is often good (or your breast if you're breastfeeding). If helps with their ears popping and they already sleep so much they wouldn't be awake that much on the flight anyway.

 

[Julylady]

I'm glad my sister and sister-in-laws didn't think like you! I took my nephews (sister's boys) to Disney for the first time when they were 7 and 5. They had gone once before with their parents when they were 5 and 3. A few years later we took all the cousins (5 between the ages of 7 and 14) for 10 days and stayed off site. Grandma went too, but no parents. Most recently I have taken my youngest two nieces multiple times without their parents. The oldest was just 4 when she came with us the first time. In all cases, we had the kids call home at least once a day. Its really easy now with Facetime to stay in touch in a meaningful way.

Honestly, I am having a hard time understanding the attitude of not letting them have fun without you. I would hope you would just appreciate the opportunity and the time alone with your baby while your son is having a great time with a family member that loves him dearly.

 

[TavieP]

My best friend (BFF) and I just came back from a trip with her 6-year-old niece. It was fantastic.

My BFF babysits the niece and her 10-month-old brother every weekend, has their entire lives. They're very close. I know that her mom and dad would love to be able to go to Disney with the kid, but they can't afford it, and they have the baby who's too young to enjoy it, so even though I know it's hard for them not to get to go with her, they made the decision to let her go with us.

It was a blast. As the best friend of the aunt my relationship seems like it would be very tenuous, but I've known the kid her entire life and we have a very special relationship (I'm her "honorary tante") and I felt very lucky and grateful to get to spend the time with her in my favorite place in the world. I don't have kids and my sister doesn't either, so this is the closest I get to playing auntie.

We Facetimed with her parents every night and she was full of stories of our adventures.

I say, let him go!

 

[Jhondy210]

I'm taking my 6 year old niece to her first WDW trip in 10 day! When I first talked to her parents a few years ago about me taking her, they said no because they wanted to take her first. Fast forward to now where they have a second child, money is tight, and they aren't huge fans of Disney. So, they decided to let her go with me. I think it is hard for them because they know they are going to miss out on some memories with her but at the same time I think they also realize it will be an amazing trip for their daughter/my niece. I love Disney and I love spoiling my niece. So, I have so many things planned for her to do and see that they wouldn't even know to do. She will have an amazing experience and I'm thankful they are letting her come with me. This will be a trip we will both remember. (as a side note I'm really excited because my husband and I are still trying to figure out if I can have kids; so if it turns out I can't, I'm so thankful to have this experience to take a child to their first WDW trip).

All that to say, I think you should let him go. You will make many memories with him through out his life so I don't think you should worry about missing out on some memories. You are will always miss some memories since you can't be with your child 24/7. Also, you can help be part of the memory by helping with the planning, talking to your son about what he is excited about, talking to him while he is on the trip, and talking to him after the trip.

 

[kohlby]

I would allow it without a doubt. He's used to her and he's been already anyway so it's not like you're missing the first time anyway.

And though it's not the exact same thing, I took two of my nephews to Universal this past April. They're not 7 year olds though but they had to fly on a plane without an adult to meet up with us. And - they barely know us due to living so far away. They had never been to Universal or on a trip with us. So - a lot of extra variables. It was a lot of fun. I'm so glad I was able to spend that time with my nephews and get to know them better. And they enjoyed going to Universal. (I couldn't afford to have their entire family go but they also have a little brother who is very high-energy who isn't ready for a trip like that. The plan is to take him on a trip about 10 years from now).

 

[Queen Lee]

Lots of votes in the "Let him go" side. I still don't know what we will do. My husband isn't all for it either, when I mentioned it to him on the phone last night, but we will talk more this weekend. He definitely doesn't want to go back right now, especially with the baby. I am still torn because he and I went down to Puerto Rico for a wedding last month and left both kids, so the being far away from them isn't really the issue, but having my son go to such a family destination without me is tough.

 

[blackpearl77]

No! Because I love disney world so much I would be so jealous that I wasn't going!!!! haha

 

[megster1123]

....but having my son go to such a family destination without me is tough.

Taking away the opportunity for your son to enjoy a Disney trip isn't tough?

 

[Veronique]

Lots of votes in the "Let him go" side. I still don't know what we will do. My husband isn't all for it either, when I mentioned it to him on the phone last night, but we will talk more this weekend. He definitely doesn't want to go back right now, especially with the baby. I am still torn because he and I went down to Puerto Rico for a wedding last month and left both kids, so the being far away from them isn't really the issue, but having my son go to such a family destination without me is tough.

I truly understand your doubts, I love my children, I worry about them all the time when they are away, but I think of it this way: My confort or worry level should not be more important than my child experiences and his relationship with is aunt.

My mother was the kind to NEVER leave us with family and I have zero relationship with any of them today. I never went to Disney before I was an adult. And truthfully I kind of resent my mother today because I was always fearful of others, hard time forming relationship, etc. AND if I learn I could have had this experience and she prevented it for her own comfort, I'd be pretty sad and probably piss!

 

[Veronique]

That said, I would probably do everything in my power to tag along! lolol I went with my 4 months old daughter in July to WDW by car and to Disneyland in February (she was 11 months) by planes. It was a little more planning but very easy and we had a lot of fun. You could split a room with your sister.

 

[Allison]

Under those circumstances, of course I would.

 

[2forMe]

Good morning. I am new to these forums and hoping to get some different perspectives, as they seem to be a wealth of information.

Here's my dilemma: The other day my sister in law asked if she could take my son with her on vacation to WDW in the next 12 months. My immediate response was "No". When she asked why I told her because I want to go. We have a new baby and I will not be traveling with her for a few years, as I don't want to subject others on a plane to her crying. We have been to WDW twice with my son.

I am wondering if I should let sis in law take him. She watches him all summer (she is a teacher so off in summers) and several afternoons a week during the school year. She is extremely helpful filling in whenever needed for getting him to dentist appointments, sports practices, homework help and just general babysitting (for both kids). My son loves her and has no problem staying with her and sleeps over her house on a regular basis.

I am conflicted and would love to hear what others think.

I would not even think twice...I would absolutely let him go.

 

[kohlby]

That said, I would probably do everything in my power to tag along! lolol I went with my 4 months old daughter in July to WDW by car and to Disneyland in February (she was 11 months) by planes. It was a little more planning but very easy and we had a lot of fun. You could split a room with your sister.

I've taken babies to Disney several times. I always had a 3 year old at that time too and the baby was SO much easier. The youngest I took a baby was 2 months old. We drove but a plane would have been so much easier.

 

[kjw42]

As a kid money was tight. I finally got to go to Disneyland at 16 through the generosity of my uncle and aunt. They paid for me to fly to California for a few weeks to visit them over the summer. It couldn't have been easy for my parents to miss out but it was an amazing trip I'll always remember.

 

[Queen Lee]

So my husband and I decided not to let my son go. He can go in a few years with us when his sister is a little bit older. I told my SIL, who was disappointed. She asked us to reconsider, giving the reason that we use her in our place quite frequently so we must trust her. We told her that wasn't the issue. We just don't want him to go without us. She'll get over it and lucky for me, she loves my kids too much so I'll never lose my free and almost always available child care! Lol!

 

[bbak30]

I would let my child go especially since you have already been with him. It would be different if it was his first trip.