Should I feel guilty?

matt_taylor1985

matt_taylor1985

Member
Original Poster
We booked a holiday to Florida for our Honeymoon in January, when our baby was 6 months old. Now she's reached 1 years old and we didn't book for her as well. The idea is she'll stay with Gran and Grandad.

We'll be away for two weeks and now are feeling gulity about leaving her. Should we take her?

I think because we're going to Disney it makes it worse. Anyone else been in a similar situation.
 
WDWmazprty

WDWmazprty

Well-Known Member
She's only 1 year old? Don't feel guilty.She may have fun there but she really won't be able to appreciate it that much. Now if she was a 4 or 5 year old, then maybe.

But don't worry about, have fun, let her spend some time with granddad.:animwink:
 
The Mom

The Mom

Moderator
Premium Member
I would not have left my child for that amount of time at that age, but I think it's because I'd miss her more than she would miss me. I think a week would have been be fine for me.

But, as others have mentioned, she probably won't remember it, so I doubt she'll be scarred for life. ;) And who knows, maybe she'll end up with a little brother or sister. :lookaroun
 
KingStefan

KingStefan

Well-Known Member
There is absolutely no reason to feel guilty. There are lots of discussion threads on these forums about this, and many posts with strong feelings on one side or the other.

Whether you take a child this age or not is entirely a personal choice, and there are advantages and disadvantages on both sides, but DON'T take her merely because you feel guilty! That would just ruin your trip, because if you've chosen at first to go without her, and then take her because of guilt, clearly the trip will not live up to your personal expectations.

Going with a young child is a totally different experience. It is for some people and not others. Some like it both ways. There will be othe trips you can take her on! Go and have a magical time!
 
matt_taylor1985

matt_taylor1985

Member
Original Poster
What we said was that this would be the last opportunity to go on a holiday by ourselves as all other holidays will be family holidays from now on.
 
kstella

kstella

Member
I wouldn't feel the least bit guilty. It's such a long way for you to travel and she's so little. I think you will all enjoy it much more next time.
 
Tiggerfanatic

Tiggerfanatic

Well-Known Member
If Grammy & Grandpa are willing to keep her for 2 weeks, I say go for it. Trust me - you won't get another chance to be alone for that amount of time for 17 more years!!:lol: My daughter is 20, and she spent a lot of time with her grandparents growing up, and she still makes time to visit them as often as she can. And now that my MIL is in a home, she has a lot of good memories of her time with Grandma when she was little.
 
sueuk

sueuk

Member
I bet you need to buy another suitcase to take home all those extra cute gifts for her. Enjoy your holiday and let nana and granda enjoy the baby. You will love taking her when she can enjoy it too (think BBB!!) :wave:
 
matt_taylor1985

matt_taylor1985

Member
Original Poster
Now my wife has been going on all morning about taking her. It's not so much guilt, it's just we can imagine being there with her taking her to meet the characters, and yeah she probably wouldn't really take much notice but still. It would be difficult walking around Disney seeing other little ones and not having our own one there.

I mean how could we leave this:

SDC11822.jpg
 
sueuk

sueuk

Member
If you're fretting now, I'd add her on or you this will spoil the hol (and the time leading up to it for you all). Do it now! :ROFLOL:
 
sbkline

sbkline

Well-Known Member
matt_taylor1985 said:
Yeah I think so. There's no Cons really to taking her.
Click to expand...

There are plenty of cons to taking a baby that little, as my wife and I are still weighing the pros and cons of taking our soon-to-be newborn when we go next April. That trip will be the first trip for our son, who will be almost 4 at that time. The pros to taking the baby are the fact that we will have both kids along and won't have to be missing one of them for 2 weeks. The cons are that we would have to make the constant stops for feeding, having to get around that much earlier to get the baby and all of his or her things together, not being able to go on alot of the rides together due to the baby, and our son not being able to do certain rides with both Mom and Dad because one of us has to stay behind with the baby. You may not be able to get out as early as you like, nor stay out as late as you like.

I'm not saying you shouldn't take the baby...that's entirely up to you. And, as I said, there are positives to taking the baby with you as well. But before you decide to do it, make sure you think of all the downsides, as well. In my opinion, a baby that age can really tie you down and keep you from being able to experience alot of things down there. On the other hand, if you think you are going to be spending the whole trip missing your baby, then you may be better off bringing her along. After all, getting to do all the rides you want to do, doesn't mean much if you're having a crappy time due to missing your baby.
 
matt_taylor1985

matt_taylor1985

Member
Original Poster
I've been to Disney many times before, as has my wife so we've seen it all. We took her as a 3 month old last year (not to Disney, just Florida) and would definately recommend against it.

Well it's booked now so it's too late :sohappy:
 
matt_taylor1985

matt_taylor1985

Member
Original Poster
Plus there's still alot she can go on. My view is that my experience of taking her round the World would cancel out the feelings of going on the rides, plus...there's always child swap!
 
Uponastar

Uponastar

Well-Known Member
What a precious angel!
You definitely made the right choice for you.
There is nothing wrong with parents going off on their own for a bit. It could be a good experience for everyone involved. But in your case it is clear you would have missed sharing this experience with your daughter.
There is nothing like seeing WDW through a child's eyes. I think that you would have been doing that anyway if you'd have left her home....and you would have been feeling pretty badly about it.
So, enjoy! The trip will be different from originally plan, but in a much more satisfying way.
 
mousefan1972

mousefan1972

Well-Known Member
My husband and I went to Disney for 4 nights in Spring '04, leaving our then 9 month old daughter with her grandparents. We had a good time, but there was this constant uneasy feeling without having her with us. Plus, it was only 4 nights but it felt like 4 weeks! 2 weeks is a loooong time to be away from your baby. True, she won't remember, but you will. I think you did the right thing. :animwink: She is just adorable.
 
maggiegrace1

maggiegrace1

Well-Known Member
matt_taylor1985 said:
Now my wife has been going on all morning about taking her. It's not so much guilt, it's just we can imagine being there with her taking her to meet the characters, and yeah she probably wouldn't really take much notice but still. It would be difficult walking around Disney seeing other little ones and not having our own one there.

I mean how could we leave this:

SDC11822.jpg
Click to expand...
I will watch her for you...:D

She is a doll...:kiss:
 

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