Okay first off it's pretty long. We are leaving for Disney in a wk, and just found out that a few people we know, okay a lot are going to be there the same wk as us. They all want to get together with us while down there. At first the group from work that's going, I have known for 17 yrs and my dh knows a few of them through H school. Anyways, they are trying to plan something for us with them. Our old babysitter who is turning 21 is going to be there at her parents house and really wants to hang out all day with us. Has even suggested to watch the girls a night for us. Our nieghbor, BFs of ours who the dh grew up with my dh, has decided to take the family down and clear out his parents house who passed away, the wkend we are all going to be down there. Sound confused yet, I am.
So it's apparently a very popular wk to go down to Florida. Okay my problem is this, at first okay I could of done a day with coworkers and been fine with it. Now all these people are going to be there that we know and who is trying to plan something with us on our all time family vacation to Disney. I should say probably once in a lifetime vacation. I know this might sound ungrateful, but I just can't help it. I have only dreamed of taking our girls since before they were born. I have always planned to take them around their 5 or 6th bday. So we have a chance to go just us as a family alone and we are sharing it with people we know who are not even family. I know I just can't help these feeling I have. I have our trip planned for the kids and I just don't want to mess that up or alter it any way. My girlfriend called who is going down for the wkend and asked if we planned to do Universal. Ah no we diddn't plan it bc we do not have a teenager like you do. We have dinner reservation 4 days out the 7 and I am not breaking them. I have already told my dh all about and he sort of agrees with me. I am so sorry this is so long, if you made this far, thankyou. And I know I am ranting a bit but I just needed to get it off my chest.
What should I do? Should I plan a day with the babysitter? I have already said no to the babysitting. I would feel guilty leaving my kids down there on their vacation. Everyone else I really just don't know if we will have time to get together with them. If we have a spare minute I really don't know I want to spend time with anyone. I don't want to hurt anyones feelings but I think I will anyways. Again sorry for the rant. I just really don't know what to do. Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated. Thanks.


Nicole
My soon to be 6 yr olds!
Brynn, Taylor, & Shelby
36w, 3/22/04

Personally, I would tell everyone that you already have everything planned out and you really just want to enjoy your family vacation. Then maybe suggest getting together when you are home. Maybe doing something special that you wouldn't normally do at home.

If I were taking my kids to Disney, I wouldn't want to include anyone else. It is enough trying to organize our larger than normal family, never mind trying to include someone else's family.

Have fun at Disney!!!

Dawn

Mom to Samantha, Jeremy, Paige and Christian

Born 12/12/03 @ 31w 2d



http://lovinglifewithquads.blogspot.com

I totally agree with you. I would not want to share a Family Disney vacation with other people. I would either tell them that, or plan a meal, or 2 during the week where everyone can meet up and then go on their own way. Doing Disney with 3 little kids is hard enough without trying to make a whole bunch of other people happy too.

Good luck and have fun!!

Kelly
Ben, Jack & Drew 05/28/02
Charlie 07/06/06
Aunt to: Liam, Aidan & Connor 03/05/08
www.outnumberedmommy.blogspot.com

Tell them you'll call them when you get there, then don't answer your phone. Oops! It gets loud when you are on the rides.

Michele
Sarah, Gregory, Amanda
born 1/22/04 at 35w1d

Our surprise baby Austin born 06/15/2005

www.fourtimesthefun.blogspot.com

First, the babysitter offer. That's up to you. If you feel like you and your DH really need some time alone together, then take her up on it. If you want to really spend the time as a family, especially if you are pulled other directions then politely decline. You may enjoy a couple of hours, even if it's at the resort food court while the kids are sleeping.

I'm with you on not wanting to have too many horn in your family time. It could be a lot of fun, but it could also be huge disaster.

Let everyone know that you have planned your itinerary and made your dining reservations and at this late date, it's just too difficult to change. (Completely true and also almost impossible to ADD to your reservations). I wouldn't provide a detailed itinerary to anyone, but might say "we'll be at MK on Sunday, maybe we'll see you there".

As far as the coworkers are concerned, I wouldn't even TRY to meet up. You are on vacation. You see them EVERY day. You may enjoy being with them, but you should have a vacation from THEM too.

I had hoped to hook up with another local quad family who happened to be there at the same time we were. We never did make arrangements to meet and I think we were both fine with that. We actually saw each other at bag checks at Epcot and our DH's (who don't know each other) ended up belly-up at the rope for the "Soarin' stampede" next to each other. The 2 guys bonded over over-planning wives and making sure they understood their "mission". We never saw them again. It might have been fun, but I was glad not to have one more thing hanging over my head. It was hard enough to make all of our meal reservations.

Oh, I know. Just tell them to take your cell number and maybe you can hook up once you are there. Since you don't know how well the kids will hold up, you don't want to commit to making other plans right now. Then when you are there, you can choose whether or not to answer your phone. I know I didn't always hear mine.

MonsterMom6
10 year old ^b^ b twins @ 30w5d (1 survivor) and
8 year old gggg quads @ 32w0d

Thanks ladies. I can always count on you to keep it real. I completely agree with all of you. Now trying to get my dh on board with me is another story. I think we will definately get in touch with our babysitter. She could help me out one day at a park. The others, I think I will have to ignore most of the calls. I do have a very filled, planned vaca while we are there. Thanks again.


Nicole