Just booked...tell me it will be ok!!

[Kman]

We had told ourselves and our kids that we were not going on vacation this year. We had decided to re-do our kitchen (almost complete) and we thought it would be best if we just stayed home seeing we just went last summer for 12 nights. The complicating factor is that our youngest (16) has struggled for years with anxiety and depression to the point that there was a lot of school missed over the past 8 years and a couple of stays in a private treatment centre in Wisconsin over the past 18 months (75 & 56 days respectfully). We live in Canada and it was a 10.5 hour drive each way which we did every 2-3 weeks to visit when he was there. He has had a pretty significant breakthrough in the past 4 months- he finished out the school year with incredible marks and got all of his credits. The topic of Disney came up and he jumped at it with real excitement- something we have not seen in a long time. Our last trip in fact was not fantastic...he was struggling more than we realized and he kind of dragged down the rest of the family with his acting out. It wasn't a waste at all but it wasn't as fun as it should have been.

At any rate, he said he really wanted to go again so in a moment of weakness we booked an 8 night stay at the Cabins in Fort Wilderness- our absolute favourite resort. He says he is pumped.

This was the right move regardless of the money right?? This definitely won't put us in the poorhouse- just might not be the wisest. Frankly we are excited to go but there is some trepidation that we are being too impulsive and I knew that if there was a place where I would get encouragement it would be on this forum!

Convince me we made a good choice!

 

[LdyApxr]

Yep, even in the best of circumstances, anxiety is a crippling thing. I've been dealing with it and PTSD for over 25yrs and even now, there is no telling it that I am on vacation. Mine tends to center around safety whereas my older son's tends to center around crowds which is why he no longer goes with us. We've been to three concerts in the past 2yrs with just me and my tow boys and while Josh loved seeing Fleetwood Mac, Bob Seger and the Eagles, the crowds made it difficult for him.

 

[Kman]

Yep, even in the best of circumstances, anxiety is a crippling thing. I've been dealing with it and PTSD for over 25yrs and even now, there is no telling it that I am on vacation. Mine tends to center around safety whereas my older son's tends to center around crowds which is why he no longer goes with us. We've been to three concerts in the past 2yrs with just me and my tow boys and while Josh loved seeing Fleetwood Mac, Bob Seger and the Eagles, the crowds made it difficult for him.

whoa...that's tough. When I hear stories like that it can be scary because you start wondering if your own child will ever "grow" out of it. Fortunately for us our boy was also diagnosed with ADD this past winter and the medication he is on for that has done a good job of mitigating some of his anxiety problems as well. Last summer/fall/winter was terrible. He is MUCH better. Lots of improvement still required but at 16 is there any way to go but up? I tend to think that dealing with mental illness, ADD PLUS the complexity of the teenage mind is a pretty tough challenge. With some years and maturity we are very confident he will "overcome" his anxiety and live a productive life. Thanks for your honesty.

 

[LdyApxr]

I really like this...we are in our mid-40's and our kids are 22, 18 & 16. We have always taken the opportunities to travel with them. Disney has been a staple for sure but we have RV'd all over Canada and the US over the years. I agree with you totally that you need to find the opportunities to make memories and build relationships with your kids. Vacation is one way to do that. You are right that you only have a limited time in reality- our 22 year is not coming along due to work and university for example- so that was one major reason we decided to spring for this. Reading all of these posts has reassured me that we are making the right decision- money aside. Your comment about your parents passing so young is proof that you don't know how much time you have so you need to make the most of what you get. Thanks

If I could just start a crowd funding thing here I would be all set...

Thanks! Even though my sons never met my parents(well my older son was 10mo old and 5 days shy of 2yrs old when my parents passed), they feel very much as if they know them simply because my sister and made sure that they know the stories that made up our lives. A lot of it has to do with us living in the area I grew up in and having stories of strange little things(like my parents being friends with a convicted serial killer. Kid you not! LOL!!) or my teenager asking me "Hey mom, isn't that the corner you got arrested on when you were 15?" HEY NOW! It was NOT on a corner(which certainly makes it sound much worse!) and it was because we were on the cruise, my brother took off in the car and it was 10:15, fifteen minutes after curfew. Of course, that did not come out until about 2yrs ago when he was 15 and he wanted to know how he had not heard of that from anyone in the family. LOL I can't pretend that I was an angel because there are too many living people who would smack me down.

I'd rather die penniless and leaving my family with wonderful memories rather than money in the bank and nothing fun to talk about! Now about that crowdfunding....

 

[hollymc3]

Family is everything. If this trip gives you all a chance to reconnect - do it ! You can always pick up some overtime and pay it off. These chances can be fleeting

 

[LdyApxr]

whoa...that's tough. When I hear stories like that it can be scary because you start wondering if your own child will ever "grow" out of it. Fortunately for us our boy was also diagnosed with ADD this past winter and the medication he is on for that has done a good job of mitigating some of his anxiety problems as well. Last summer/fall/winter was terrible. He is MUCH better. Lots of improvement still required but at 16 is there any way to go but up? I tend to think that dealing with mental illness, ADD PLUS the complexity of the teenage mind is a pretty tough challenge. With some years and maturity we are very confident he will "overcome" his anxiety and live a productive life. Thanks for your honesty.

Teenage life is hard enough without dealing with these other issues that is for sure. My older son's came on after he was attacked his sophomore year at school and ended up in Peds ICU for three weeks and a four year long court battle. It is a credit to him that he never let that define him and holds no anger towards the people that did it(people he had not even met) but I see the slight changes from pre-15yr old to now 26yr old. Very slight but the signs are there. No wonder mine centers around safety right? Joshua's entire life has been centered on being in the military. He has wanted it since he was 6. Two years ago he was in basic at Ft Jackson when another recruit fell on him from above and caused a severe shoulder injury and he was medically discharged and it tore my heart out to hear him call me and tell me he was coming home but he came home, had surgery, rehab, working and has now been given waivers to re-enlist so I never doubt the power of belief in oneself!

 

[Kman]

Family is everything. If this trip gives you all a chance to reconnect - do it ! You can always pick up some overtime and pay it off. These chances can be fleeting

true...UNLESS you own your own business! The overtime will be there regardless with no additional pay- it's one of the perks of the job! I get your point however...LOL

 

[Kman]

Teenage life is hard enough without dealing with these other issues that is for sure. My older son's came on after he was attacked his sophomore year at school and ended up in Peds ICU for three weeks and a four year long court battle. It is a credit to him that he never let that define him and holds no anger towards the people that did it(people he had not even met) but I see the slight changes from pre-15yr old to now 26yr old. Very slight but the signs are there. No wonder mine centers around safety right? Joshua's entire life has been centered on being in the military. He has wanted it since he was 6. Two years ago he was in basic at Ft Jackson when another recruit fell on him from above and caused a severe shoulder injury and he was medically discharged and it tore my heart out to hear him call me and tell me he was coming home but he came home, had surgery, rehab, working and has now been given waivers to re-enlist so I never doubt the power of belief in oneself!

man- YOU need a trip to Disney! Sounds like a huge challenge you guys have been through. That is really encouraging about your son- sounds like he has real mental toughness. Good for him. Wish you and your kids the best.

 

[hollymc3]

true...UNLESS you own your own business! The overtime will be there regardless with no additional pay- it's one of the perks of the job! I get your point however...LOL

I'm actually salary myself. It's up to hubby to get the OT

 

[LdyApxr]

My hubby can't get overtime. Well he could but working 12hr days 4 on/4 off and then 12hr nights 4/4 really sucks the life right out of you especially at 61. That's a terrible shift!

And yep, people often say "I want to own my own business so I can set my own hours" but the truth of the matter is, even when you own your own business, your customer's set your hours. If you are not available when needed, you will not have many customers. Don't you just love irony?

 

[LdyApxr]

man- YOU need a trip to Disney! Sounds like a huge challenge you guys have been through. That is really encouraging about your son- sounds like he has real mental toughness. Good for him. Wish you and your kids the best.

Thanks! I am pretty proud of both of my boys! Although I do sometimes wonder how I, the most cynical person in the world, ended up raising two trusting, believing, loving boys.... I must think on this.... LOL

 

[Sage of Time]

If you can afford it, why not? Sounds wonderful. Good luck to you.

 

[Courtney6682]

As the mother of a teenager...you made the right call!!! Go and enjoy EVERY SECOND!!!! And best of luck with your son! xoxo

 

[yensid67]

I must be doing an AMAZING job if you think I am a MOM! I will make sure to let my wife know...need those brownie points! Thanks for the tips...we will look for opportunities. We know it won't be perfect- unfortunately anxiety and depression do not always take the day off even when in Disney. Just go with the flow.

Now as for that pool...done back in 2005! Looks like we are ahead of the game!

OK how about some DAD & SON time? Maybe take him to the Wide World of Sports? Now for your next project... a life-size WDW Castle in your backyard beside the pool with a waterslide from Tinker Bells Spire? That would be awesome...just contact Disney for the blueprints! Shouldn't cost that much!?

Have a great trip...mine is coming up VERY soon...in 887 Days! Woo Hoo! But who's counting!?

 

[MickeyMomV]

Asking a bunch of Disney addicts if you should go on a WDW trip is like asking a bunch of Alcoholics if you should take another shot. (sorry if the analogy offends anybody).

That said, if we have the money, we go!!! Our only rule is NO CREDIT. If you want to use a credit card for security and pay it off as soon as you get home that is great but don't vacation on credit. We travel with cash and debit cards and once its gone, its gone.