"You know he won't remember it" what do you say back?

[GatorMama]

The same people who tell me I'm crazy to take my kids to Disney at such a young age (we have 4 kids from 22months-5 and go every year at least once) all take their kids for week long vacations to the beach. Sun, sand, water with young kids - that sounds horrendous to me! Disney
Is meant for kids, the beach isn't!

I absolutely agree with you!! Chasing kids at the beach sounds more like torture than a vacation! Different strokes! Also those people usually have family at the beach to help out. Must be nice.

 

[tinkerbesh]

Things to say: if we shouldn't let him do anything until he'll remember, then:

• you aren't allowed to see him until he's 5, when he'll remember the time you spend together
• We'll keep him locked up in his room for a few years, because what's the point of going out the door if he won't remember anything he sees.
• We won't take him to the park/zoo/playground/etc. either, because why bother if he can't create a memory from it.
• Just because he might not retain the memory for 20 years, doesn't mean he won't remember anything in the short term. (DS2 still talks to us about the monorail, and his trip was 3 months ago at 23 months.) But again, life experiences shouldn't be rated on whether they create a lasting memory.
• It's about having a fun family experience! Everyone will have an amazing time in a place that was designed to please every member of the family, from young to old.
• 2 year olds are just the right age to enjoy the variety of fun things (from rides to shows to decorations, and even the little fun details like stuff hidden in the sidewalk concrete) offered at Disney. They're so hungry for interesting stimulation & Disney caters to that.
• He's still young enough to believe all of the magic.
• You only have this short window to bring him while he's FREE.
• If they're still hung up on the memory thing, show them your adorable pictures when you get back & say how are these for memories? I don't remember anything I did at age 2, but I still love looking at the pictures and hearing the stories many years later.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

We've taken our daughter at 3 months, 14 months, and 22 months. I don't think she has any memories but we LOVED each trip and each trip we enjoyed seeing the smiles on her face and reactions. (Even at 3 months, she had reactions to what she was seeing.) Plus, vacation is special time when we are all together, not working, and just having fun.

I've been told "Oh, she won't remember it...why don't you wait until she's older??"

1) We will remember
2) We love going to WDW, so why would we stop going to for 5+ years.
3) The photos are priceless.
4) I do all kinds of things for my daughter that she "won't remember" that costs money such as Disney on Ice, zoo membership, etc. Are we just supposed to stay in the house until she's 4 and can have good memories of things??

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Nothing. Why do you care what other people think?

 

[nduckles]

My answer would be, "So what?"

 

[mi*vida*loca]

"Yea true but this won't be our only trip. We like to go and plan on going every other year."

 

[ShinyRedGloss]

I do remember some things from between the ages of 2 to 4. I know that's the age I was because my brother wasn't born yet. He may not remember anything but he could remember somethings. Now I miss my Big Wheel. Take lots of pictures or get use PhotoPass. The point is that he will enjoy it now!

 

[ceejanerun]

Same thing happened to me. My response was, "quite likely she won't remember it. But she will enjoy it, in the moment". And you'll have pictures forever. And despite what people say, my 31/2 year old granddaughter still talks about dumbo, the cup and saucers and the pool, even though our trip was 18 months ago.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I know. But I'll remember being able to see the wonder and the magic and the excitement in and through his eyes. And I have a camera... and I know how to use it... and Disney has professional photographers all over the parks... and I know how to use them too.

I will always treasure the look of pure joy in my kids' eyes that first moment we stepped through the archway under the train tracks on Main Street on their first trip. They don't have to remember it because I tell them about it all the time as we're planning our next trip together.

^^THIS^^
Not only that, but they do remember for a long time. We used our Memory Maker to create a book that they enjoy looking at, and my 2 1/2 year old (who was 22 months when we went) still points at the castle when it pops up on the Disney channel and shouts with glee, "I saw that"!

 

[smallworldnh]

He might not remember it, but he will definitely absorb this wonderful experience as its happening right now! And you all will remember the magical feeling of experiencing WDW with your child for the first time!

 

[nkereina]

My parents waited until I was 10 to take me for the first time so that I would remember it and have fond memories. I'm 29 now and guess what - I don't really remember it! I remember bits and pieces, and my parents sure remember it, but it goes to show that it doesn't really matter. Have fun!

 

[mkla2015]

My parents took me to Disney at different ages starting at 4 yrs old and up to 18 yrs old. I remember bits and pieces of those trips but who cares? We made memories and it was time spent together. I love being able to take my young kids to Disney- maybe they'll remember, maybe they'll forget. We have lots of photos and videos for them to look back on. To me there is nothing more magical than watching small kids in awe of the characters.

 

[crostorfer]

"This trip is for us, not him. I will promise do my best to be a diligent and responsible parent, know my toddler's limits, stick as closely to their regular routine as possible when it comes to meal times and naps, so that my days don't results in massive meltdowns that bother other vacationers, and will ruin my own day. I will also do my best to make sure he doesn't scream and kick the seat in front of us for two hours straight on the plane. I will also make sure that I put him in water proof pull ups, so he doesn't pee or poo in the pool, causing a mid-day shutdown that will cause every other resort guest trying to enjoy the pool that day to glare daggers at me, and hurl nasty comments in my direction."

Wishful thinking.

 

[Dis703]

We took each of our children to Disney for the first time around the age of two. They don't remember it, but they love when I show them the photos and tell them all about it.

They won't remember anything from that age, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't still have those experiences. I still take them to the library, the park, the zoo, etc. even though they won't remember it. I take them because they enjoy it.

 

[My3Princez]

1) I will.
2) The photos keep their memories alive for a long time.
3) At 2, they are FREE, so it's cheaper than going later!!!

 

[disneynut]

So he doesn't remember it....so what! We have friends taking their one-year-old next month. They are so excited they can hardly stand it. So you guys go and have a marvelous time and make all the memories you can. Haters gonna hate!

 

[Boo Bear]

I say, "He will still have fun, it will still be magical, and we will go back when he can remember it."

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

We are heading back to our happy place at the end of January and this time we will be taking our then 2 year old for the first time!!!!
So excited!
But honestly I can't stand that everyone tells us that our son won't remember the trip.
What do you say back when people say that??

We took my daughter for the first time at 7 months. I said "Of course not, but I will."

I actually had this talk with my friend the other night and explained to her that you either want your kids to think they are really meeting princesses or you want them to remember, but unfortunately unless you get really lucky, there is not a lot of overlap. My parents took me right after I turned 6 and I remember about 5 things, 2 of which were being terrified on TOT and HM, 1 was a balloon ball I got at Epcot, a tot "thinking" I was Minnie Mouse when I wore the dress and meeting Cinderella. I do have that magical meeting of meeting Cinderella at the Castle, but it's not what people think when they say remember it. Personally, I don't have very strong memories before age 10 or 11, just a handful here and there.

Also, I've never known someone who waited to go on vacation until their kids can remember it. We're Army and one of my best friends had her daughter while living in Germany. The girl went to 20 countries before she was 3. Do you think she remembers more than 3? Nope, but her mom and dad had great trips.

You're son will have so much fun and be so excited. Enjoy it and soak up the magic with your kiddo and hubby! You will have a blast and he's FREE!!!

 

[ErinCat]

Here is just a general reply to people who offer unsolicited advice or comments: "Thank you for your concern for my family." Then just go on with your life. It generally shuts people up.
"Oh honey, that baby looks cold...Thank you for your concern for my family."
"Sugar makes my kids hyper...Thank you for your concern for my family."
"They won't even remember going to Disney...Thank you for your concern for my family."

 

[waffocopter]

Wow, after reading this thread, I kind of want to whenever I have children, then. My boyfriend and I have been thinking about the future and we agreed that there's no point in going when they're too young to remember but, everyone here's right. We'd still be able to see them do and react to new things and record it for our own memories and show them later too.

Hm, I'll have to reconsider things now.