A Rite of Passage

[LordHelmut]

On our last complete family trip to the world in 2006, my sisters and I (we were 23, 21, and 19 at the time) volunteered to pay for our own airfare, and I bought an annual pass... we used my annual pass for discounts, etc... I think if we'd go again as a family my sisters and I would again volunteer to pay for our airfare, tickets, etc. again, but my parents would probably pay for the room (or cabin in our case) and food... aside from our family trips, my sisters and I have gone on our own a few times since then with boyfriends, friends, etc... our parents never mandated we pay anything, it was a mutual decision...

Out of a number of answers, this one hit home and IMHO is the correct answer. Kids (young adults) need to acknowledge responsibilities and reality....

Most folks cannot continue to subsidize their kids beyond when they get jobs. (full time students may be some of the exceptions, undergraduate only, no 40+ full time masters/doctorates/3rd bachelors need apply) And certainly by the time they are out of the house.... well, learning to budget/save/work for the things you like is just one of life's learning adventures.

I have invited my parents to go with me when possible, and I try to pick up as much of the tab as possible... and yes, we discuss what is, and is not feasible.

 

[Missymoe4]

I'm 27 and my brother is 21 and my parents pay for everything when we go with them. If we go on our own, we pay our own way (of course). I guess I'm very fortunate.

 

[PrincessMiko]

I think the last time my parents paid for my ticket was when I was 15. I have had a job since then, and have personally paid for almost everything since as well. (My mom doesn't have the best money management skills...)

 

[Scooter]

A week long disney vacation is very expensive. Especially when staying on property.

My wife and I took our kids when they were young, but still old enough to remember and enjoy the trip. No strollers. If you aren't old enough to walk, you aren't old enough to go was our policy, so we waited until the youngest was 7 years old and the oldest was 12.

After the trip we told our kids that from this point on, if they want to go to Disney World again, they would have to wait until they could afford it themselves.

If and when we have grandchildren, we will take them once and pay for their trip. If their parents (my children and their spouses) want to go with, they will pay for their own room and their own tickets and airfare.

I know this sounds harsh, but we are by no means wealthy. We paid for all our childrens college tuitions and they are all on their own now and doing quite well and can afford to pay their own way.

 

[figmentmom]

My kids are 19 and 13 and when we vacation as a family we pay for them.
When they can afford to go on their own with friend/family then they can pay for themselves.

EDIT: just wanted to add that they buy their own "goodies" when we are there from money they earn/save.

Same here. Our family vacations were always on Mom and Dad when our kids were in school.

Last year, we had a family reunion at WDW, and everyone paid their own way - but our kids are adults now, and can afford to do that.

When we have grandchildren, and WE do the inviting, the trip for the whole family will be on us. If we MEET there, then we'll all pay our own way.

 

[MaxsDad]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Very interesting points of view. All good, too. Money is such a ugly subject in this context, isn't it?

To be fair, I Will contribute.

My parents stopped taking me to WDW before I was 14, so they always paid for it. When we vacation together now(beach), the lodging is already paid for, so we just help with groceries.

My lovely children are 20 and 18. Both have jobs, and have very little expenses living at home, and going to school. They could buy their AP's, but we will this year. Oldest will soon graduate, maybe down the road after that...

This thread also helped me with another idea: It sounds like when a "friend" comes along, it is not unheard of for them to get their admission.

 

[joanna71985]

I didn't pay for myself til my first CP (although, I guess I wouldn't really say it was paying). My parents paid for us kids.

 

[TheKeeler7]

Right now the kids are a little young (oldest is 13) to consider having them pay however when we planned our first trip my DW bought a big piggy bank and painted it like Mickey. The kids throw all the change they find in it. Also they collect cans around the house, do odd jobs for grand parents and save gift money. This money is then used for all the "goodies" So far in 2 trips they have averaged between $60 and $100 each. This way they think and realize what it takes to buy things. In terms of tickets and room I plan on paying for them as long as I can when I go with them. That is one reason I am considering a DVC membership to make it easier for them to take thier families when the time comes.

 

[baz212]

Whenever I have gone with my parents they paid for everything, except some snacks and most souvneers once I was a teenager. When my then DF went with us in college they still "paid" for everything the four of us did together, but not food when DF and I were by ourself. DF "paid" for his part of the trip by doing odd jobs around the house that my parents can't or won't do like mowing the lawn (Dad's allergic to grass) and cleaning out the gutters (Dad's afraid of heights). DH and I paid our own way for our honeymoon of course. We now have a DS4 and are paying for our own family vacation in May. Actually we have the Deluxe Dining Plan and The trip is paid off and plane tickets are bought.:sohappy:My parents are actually forcing us to take money from them for the trip, but they are calling it my MLIS graduation present since I graduate May 3rd, so I can't really turn it down. Dad was recently diagnosed with colon cancer and is undergoing treatment. Dad is retired and Mom will retire June 09. My mom wants to treat DH, DS and I to a trip with them after she retires, because my dad really wants to go to WDW with his grandson, and she knows we can't afford a trip 2 years in a row. We've been saving since DS was born for this one. We will offer to cover our own airfare if the trip next year becomes a reality. BTW Dad's most recent PET scan shows that the chemo is working, so hopefully he'll be able to go next summer.

 

[MaxsDad]

BTW Dad's most recent PET scan shows that the chemo is working, so hopefully he'll be able to go next summer.

Awesome. Will pray for him and family.

 

[baz212]

Awesome. Will pray for him and family.

thanks