Did anyone read John Rosemond's column on taking toddlers to WDW?
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herewego · 03-15-2005, 10:21 PM

First of all, it is obvious that Dr. Rosemond has never truly experienced "wdw magic" as we all know it!

Dr. Rosemond is speaking to his many readers who may not be financially or geographically-capable of taking their toddlers to disney. He was probably trying to be sympathic, compasionate to those....

Will someone be able to send this message board info to him?

loobyoxlip · 03-15-2005, 10:32 PM

I totally agree with you, Jill. I think it's so great to take toddlers and appreciate the joy they get. There will always be pictures and YOUR memories, even if she doesn't remember.

graygables · 03-15-2005, 10:45 PM

I guess the thing that jumped out at me was his attitude toward this woman, "This is a joke letter, right? If it's not, then you hereby win one of my coveted Rosemond's Awfully Ludicrous Parenting Honors RALPH. Four days at Dizzy World with a 3-year old and a 2-year-old? What were you thinking?"

I wanted to give him my "DIE" award, Dawn's Idiot Editorial, but I figured he's *such* an idiot, he'd take it as a death threat!

He certainly wrote without thinking on this one.

SharonK0527 · 03-16-2005, 10:27 AM

Great letter you wrote to him in response Dawn!!

Our DD is 4 years old now. She has been to WDW 3 times (and is going back twice more this year), Disneyland 1 time, 2 cruises, and numerous trips to other states to visit family. We started travelling with her at a very young age and thanks to those experiences, she is a very good traveler. She knows the "routines" - she is a great flyer. She stays in her seat on the airplane and colors and plays with her toys, she's not up running around the plane. She knows how to wait in line for rides and meeting characters. She's had her picture taken so many times on vacation that she learned at a very young age about posing for photos.

The first time we took her to WDW was a few weeks before she turned 2. My sister (who is a Disney lover) thought we were crazy for taking her so young - "she'll never remember it". She, like Dr. Rosemond, didn't take her kids until they were 7 years old so they would remember it. But my attitude on it was totally different. I didn't CARE if my DD remembered the trip - I could capture all those memories in photos and I would remember it! Plus, we could share all those magical moments as a family. Taking DD to Disney at such a young age really opened her up to loving Disney. After that trip, all she wanted to watch was Disney movies and Disney TV shows. As a parent, I would much rather have her watching Disney programming than some of the other stuff on TV for kids. Taking her to Disney at a young age helped turn her on to a company who promotes and encourages family time and family values. Traveling at a young age also opened her up to new experiences and teaches her more about the world around her.

I agree with many posters on this board who stated the problem wasn't with the kids - it was probably the parents trying to tour Disney as commandos. Not taking into account what the children need on vacation is sure to cause a meltdown.

I hope Dr. Rosemond's article doesn't dissuade people from taking their young children to Disney. There are so few precious years in their lives before that childhood innocence is gone forever, I'm so thankful that we captured some of these magical moments before it was too late.

JoanW · 03-16-2005, 12:34 PM

He's so off the page! I have HUGE regrets that we could not take the kids when they were younger, when the magic of Peter Pan and the Princesses would have had such a greater impact. Unfortunately, we could not afford it until they were older, but I would have enthusastically taken them as toddlers. And the nap and down time is just as important for the adults as it is for the kids! Maybe if that parent had taken a nap herself she would not have reacted so much to her children's behavior. I have to question what she thought required a straightjacket, the sheer joy of seeing the Magic? That feeling that makes you jump and leap in the park? Maybe they got a little loud and giggled all night? That required discipline?

turtle280 · 03-16-2005, 01:00 PM

His article was just rude, if you ask me! My three year old did have a rough adjustment to the magic...the first night was a little frightening to her, but now, 18 months later, she still speaks fondly of Disneyworld and remembers many many fine details about our week there. Who is he to say we're crazy? Crazy enough to go back with a 4 and 2 year old I guess! ~Katie

paradox · 03-16-2005, 01:37 PM

I just the article, and this guy is nuts. The ONLY reason I go to Disney is to watch my daughters face. She was 4 when she first went, and she remembers the trip. We watch the video and she tells the story every time. We have been back and each times she tells me about how things have changed since our last trip.
From the slams in his story (Dizzy World) he just doesn't like the place to start, and what 13 yr old wouldn't like Epcot better than Magic Kingdom? At that age they don't want to be younger children anyway.
Take the young ones to Disney it's why it's there, For Families.

GATechGal · 03-16-2005, 02:42 PM

I'm going to join the minority here and stick up for much of Dr. Rosemond's article (I'm probably biased, cause I've met him and have a different in sight on why he answers why he does). I think the idea about building up your kids to visit WDW is a good one. We went to Festival of Trees before we went to WDW for each of our kids to try them out on Characters. We wanted to see what their reactions would be BEFORE we got into the home of the Giant Characters. It's also important for you to see how they react to a lot of stimulation like you get at Disney and Carnavals while at the same time you can begin to teach your child what the limits are in these places (probably different from the rules you use in the grocery store). I distinctly remember wanting to leave about 30 minutes after we arrived when my DD was screaming "MY TURN, MY TURN" while waiting for our first ride on Dumbo. But after a couple of rides, she settled down and things got better.
Now WE here are all VERY INFORMED Disney visitors. We understand about the importance of rest for toddlers and we have all complained about others losing their tempers with whiney children. Now if THOSE types of folks had saved their money and followed Dr. Rosemond's advice, think of how much nicer a time WE would have had.
And Dawn, you would be AMAZED at how much of what you included in your letter Dr. Rosemond has advocated for YEARS! He is TOTALLY against electronic stimulation for young children (TV, Computers, Video Games and the like) and also encourages children learning how to entertain themselves and not rely on parents playing with them all the time. So don't write off all his advice based on one column. Granted, the Dizzy World comment was probably not welcome, but everyone is entitled to their opinion.

LisaJ · 03-17-2005, 09:37 AM

Personally, I think 5 years old is a good starting point in age for a trip to WDW. But I do think the poster got it right by stating...."If these children were terrors at Disney, I would be more than willing to bet that they are terrors at home...."

That is probably the case.

I just think that parents need to understand that children at a young age need a rest and cannot go to parks commando-style for 16 hours on end.

waycoolmom · 03-17-2005, 03:22 PM

We took our kids when DD was 5 and DS was 2. My only regret was not taking my DD by herself when she was 2. I think it totally depends on your child -- what can he/she handle? how tired does he/she get? how does he/she respond to new environments, stimuli, etc . . .
Now, I must admit that I have seen parents with "lap babies" (no toddlers, just babies) at Disney World and wonder what they are thinking, but a toddler is the perfect traveling compainion at Disney! Sure you have to go back for naps and rest time, but it's the magic you're there for and what's more magical than a little two year old baby boy hugging Pooh for the first time??? or a little girl in a Cinderella dress seeing the Castle for the first time?? It's a beautiful thing. Excuse me; I'm getting a bit teary.

ricefan · 03-17-2005, 05:02 PM

While I think WDW is great for kids, you do have to pace yourself. Kids love to look at pictures of themselves when they were younger no matter how old they get. They may not remember on an intelluctual level but how about emotionally. How about the bonds that families form? That said too many parents get too impatient at the park. I think the important think is to remember to do what the kids enjoy.

Goofy'sGal · 03-17-2005, 05:35 PM

OMG, Dawn - that was beautiful!!!!! I am so proud of you for responding to him and writing so eloquently what I think most of us feel!!!!

[ QUOTE ]
It's sad that your children missed that magical age, where a carousel horse is really a race horse, or you really can fly with Peter Pan. What's worse is that, now, other parents are going to deprive their children of the same joys because of your misguided advice. It is clear that you have other issues with "Dizzy World" because of the tone you used in your reply, but your disdain for the place should not influence your response, as it did in this situation.

[/ QUOTE ] I totally thought the same thing for both of those points - his kids missed that magic age and he clearly doesn't like Disney World and so this colored his answer. Kudos to you!!!!!

Let us know if you get a response.