Originally Posted By DVC_dad By "live and let live" I mean ... "let's all just get along" just so there is no misunderstanding.
Originally Posted By sherrytodd Goofyernmost, I can fully understand there being more financial issues when you're children are younger. Our financial situation was pretty bleak when DS was younger. We had the benefit of having family who lives close to Disneyland so a Disneyland vacation was actually a cheap vacation alternative for us. I've been copying old home videos to DVD and copied my son's first Disneyland trip when he was two. The ear to ear smiles on his face in Fantasyland are worth more then gold to me. I've rewatched that DVD now probably 25 times since I copied it this week. DS loves to watch it too. It's become a tradition that every May he and I take our annual Mother / Son trip to Disneyland. Even when he was 4 years old, it was just the two of us, spending time together, and I wouldn't give that time up for anything. It's my Mother's Day present every year. He's about to turn 9 now and we've got our trip booked. I'm not saying this to get defensive. Disneyland was actually the cheapest vacation alternative for us since we had free room and board at Grandmas. It's a different kind of trip with a young child, but not any less valuable to me.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost DVC Dad...I fully agree with you but if let's all get along means that I have to agree with everything you say, I don't think it will work. In the first place, I wasn't putting anyone down based on what they want to do. I was merely expressing the other side and trying myself to prevent an all out battle. I don't think some of you realize how condescending some of these posts can be. I went to great pains to say that I didn't have a problem with others doing what they wanted, I just felt that it was starting to head the direction the others have gone. So instead of that, let's make it a vendetta against me. Not even an argument about the substance of what I had to say, just the put down of me personally because I happen to, in this case, not even disagree with you. I'm sorry that you do not like me or what I have to say. I do not have anything against you but I don't always think you are right. Based on the ages of your kids I will have to guess that I am considerably older than you are and because of that I see things, perhaps, differently than you. That is what is called, live and let live. If I ever had a thought that I might change someones mind during an exchange of ideas on these boards, that thought has long since been abandoned. Sherrytodd, You are correct, if you live close to a place like Disneyland or WDW then the financial feasibility is greatly enhanced. I live 1500 miles away from WDW and it was a real financial hardship to go, even when we did. Heck, I never even got to go to Disneyland until I was 57 years old. I enjoyed all my visits to both places and I am content that what I did and when I did it, was in harmony with what my world was at the time. That's all I have ever been saying.
Originally Posted By lilgoofymom We took our daughter to WDW when she was 10 months old. I agree she was probably just responding to all of the Bright colors and pretty lights at that age. We have never taken a vacation without our daughter. I know many couples who do travel without their children and that is their business.If they feel comfortable traveling without their children, then that is up to them. My parents never traveled without me & my brother. That is the way I was raised. I really can count the times We have left our 16yr.old daughter with a sitter (Grandma)in her lifetime, on one hand. Whenever & Whatever we celebrate we do as a family. That is what makes us happy. It is really up to each individual family to make that decision.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<<I'm sorry that you do not like me or what I have to say.>>> How do you know that I do not like you? I don't even KNOW you. And yes you are older than me. I would wager that you are even more mature than me emotionally, especially based on your past experiences here that you have shared. You might even be smarter and more wise than I am. BUT I don't have a vendetta against you. I don't want you to agree with everything I say. I don't want to squelch your posts or opinions. I don't want a fight or argument with you. I don't want to be condescending to you. Let me be candid, you do the same and let's get past the tension. Here are my thoughts. I was mad at you for a while yes. I'm over it now, and in fact to prove this to you, I would like to personally and publicly apologize to you. I am sorry. For what? For the post I layed on your thread about me being "mad" at you. It was partially meant in jest, partially. I am talking specifically about your post that mentioned your service to this country and Viet Nam and your grand kids and all that. It was a very moving and great post and I sort of showed my butt there. I was out of line and I a truly sorry that I did so. I also apologize for offending you and doing anything that would belittle you or be condescending to you. I admit, I have been quick to take the other side with you, and for the wrong reasons. For this too I apologize. But as for not liking you or having a personal axe to grind, this is not the case, not now. Now having said all that, reread what you said here <<<I do not have anything against you but I don't always think you are right.>>> There you go. I feel the same way. Let's be friends, but don't ask me to hold back my opinion just because it is different than yours. I won't expect YOU to. From here on out, it isn't personal and I hope that we can simply be friends who are able to discuss differences of opinion without getting personally offended. I will try my best to spare anything in my posts that would sound condescending. This is not a last jab at you, but I feel that I am going further with you on how I will treat others that disagree with me, than you have done with others in the recent past here. But I'm willing to take the high road, admit I was wrong, apologize, really mean it, and move on. What do you think?
Originally Posted By DVC_dad ^ ^ ^ Sorry this shoud NOT have read <<<For the post I layed on your thread about me being "mad" at you.>>> It should have said, "For the post I layed on your thread about your thoughts. I should not have posted the stuff about me being "mad" at you."
Originally Posted By RoadTrip The age you bring kids to WDW is a personal issue and different things work for different people. We didn't take our kids to WDW until our youngest was seven. As with Goofyernmost we really couldn't afford it until then. Even then our first visit was partially funded by my employer because I attended a conference in Florida. Given a choice I'm not sure what I would have done. On the one hand I've seen many families with young children at WDW that seem absolutely miserable. The kids are crying and the parents are yelling and no one seems to be having a very good time. I would not want a visit to WDW like that. On the other hand, the only year in our marriage that we have not gone to the State Fair was when my wife was nine months pregnant with our youngest. Every other year we've been there with our children. The Minnesota State Fair is HUGE -- the fairgrounds are 320 acres as compared to Epcot's 300 acres. We never had a problem bringing our kids there. We never even used the dreaded strollers after the kids were 3 or 4. We let the kids control the pace. When they were tired we stopped and rested. So I think we could likely have brought them to WDW without a problem. But that may not be the case for everyone.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost That all I'm trying to say, Road Trip..Thank you. DVC dad, I agree, let's bury the hatchet. To be honest whatever I had written previous to your post about "still being ------ at me" had been long forgoten by me. Maybe it will help to remember that whenever I post I am expressing my opinion. I did come to the rescue of one long time poster, although she really didn't need it, when I felt that a group had ganged up on her. I should have been minding my own business and stayed out of it. But, what's done is done. I intend to continue to express my opinion without worrying about if it agrees with anyone elses or not. It's just my opinion. That and about $5.00 will buy you a cup of coffee at Starbucks. If you stop taking things personal, I will as well.
Originally Posted By sherrytodd Well, here's a video I uploaded to YouTube from DS's first trip to DL when he was 2 years old. We were pretty much flat broke when we headed out there. Living in an apartment. I was afraid that the car would break down on the way out there (We had an old escort) so I found a good deal on a rental car to drive out there. Drove out there from Denver. We stayed with my Grandma to save on hotel and food. I wouldn't give up these memories for anything... <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqMEvc7U3NI" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =mqMEvc7U3NI</a>
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> If I ever had a thought that I might change someone's mind during an exchange of ideas on these boards, that thought has long since been abandoned. << Boy, isn't that the truth. Just say what you think and especially what you know. If others pick up on what you really meant, great. But don't let it bother you if they don't. Just let it go and go on from there.
Originally Posted By threeundertwo >>there are times (as any parent knows) when a diaper must be changed NOW, no matter where you are.>> I disagree. I had 3 in diapers at the same time and I always knew when explosions were due, and never NEVER changed my kids diapers in a public place other than a restroom. I think public diaper-changing is inexcusable. I'm also a strict mom, and I'm amazed at parents who (quite often these days) say "it's a great restaurant for kids to run around." What the heck? It's a whole new philosophy of parenting I guess. Not only do my children not leave the table, they sit up straight, pray before the meal, and use napkins and utensils correctly. We don't even belch or scream. Our family seems to be a bunch of weirdos compared to so many we see. I'm not a perfect parent, but I have to agree that standards have slipped waaay too far.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<I disagree. I had 3 in diapers at the same time and I always knew when explosions were due, and never NEVER changed my kids diapers in a public place other than a restroom.>> You never know in advance when the consistency is such that a diaper will not contain it. Doesn't happen that often, but it DOES happen.
Originally Posted By threeundertwo I had 3 in diapers at the same time. I really did become an expert. Sorry you don't believe me. Too bad those amazing skills are so useless now.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad I have not been in a situation where I thought changing the diaper was so pressing that I had to do it on a ride. I have never had one that got to the point of leaking, well I have, but not on a ride. And no I am not talking about MY diapers, but those of my kids lol! I can't imagine that I would change it on the ride, but who knows. You never know what you would do until you are in the situation yourself, which I have not been. However, I can't imagine that I would opt to change the baby on the POTC.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip << However, I can't imagine that I would opt to change the baby on the POTC.>> Well I would certainly try to avoid it if at all possible. On the other hand, I don't feel that I can judge that parent without knowing the situation.
Originally Posted By threeundertwo I can judge them. They could have asked a CM if they could jump back into the line after taking care of junior.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I am awed to be in the presence of a person with such infallible knowledge.
Originally Posted By Beast77 So there I was.... we were on IASW just rounding the first bend and I felt warmth on my lap. My DD had just filled her diaper... it was dry just a few minutes before... but now it was not only full, it was a overfull ball o' pee just squishin and sloshin around. By volume you would think the child ruptured. I tried to keep my cool. Being covered in my DD urine was not the highlight of my day, but not the worst thing to happen either. I figured that I would be wet, my mistake, I would deal. I think it was Mexico, something about it....it was time to let it ALL out. We added # 2 to #1 and had 300. It was all over my leg. Regardless of how much I hated to do it, and how embarrassed I was, it needed to be handled. I stank, she stank, and in the process I got some in my eye.... all in all, after the ride, it was time to hit the shop and buy my DD new clothes to replace the ones that I dare not carry for fear of clearing the area. I guess what I am saying that that even a diligent parent can have suprises. As others have said, it can happen to anyone and depending on the situation, perhaps it really cant wait. Heck, it could be worse, parents could shake the diaper over the side of the boat first, or throw it overboard... that would be truly gross... anywho, some poeple are lucky with their timing some are not... it just happens, no need to judge. They could be lame, or just in a pinch and very embarassed. I have not read all the posts, but I see we are back on the "too young for the parks" topic again... JEEZE GUYS! Hasn't that dead horse been beat over and over and over....
