Wow, sometimes I feel that these boards are a wealth of information but sometimes I'm afraid to say anything for fear it will be taken wrong.
seashoreCM ~ I got the feeling that you did not like my wording on my post. as far as:
">>> punishing ourselves..."
">>>Parents have a primary activity and special responsibility when bringing children to the parks: parenting. As a parent you must get your child off the ride if that is the rule for the date and hour (crowded, etc.).."
You are right...parents do have the primary activity and responsibility when bringing children to the parks: parenting. They have this responsibility not only in the parks but anywhere. And that relates to parents of all children, not just special needs children. But in punishing a child, special needs or not, often it is harder on the parents or other children in the family than it is on the child being punished. However, in doing this, the child learns. Some children learn quickly, others not as quickly.
">>>when a special needs child does not understand when and why he is being punished and when that happens punishment is not appropriate yet."
I disagree that anyone outside of the family has the right to judge or determine for themselves whether a special needs child understands when and why they're being punished and it is not up to anyone outside of the situation to decide when, and if, punishment is appropriate. Unless you live with that child and know the situation, you don't know what that particular child understands. To this day, with our son now being 16, he will still act like he doesn't understand something when he is around strangers. However, we (our entire family) know that he does.
">>> he is all muscle"
">>>You are entitled to have extra muscle in the form of Disney security help you and of course the ride has to be stopped until your child can be extricated."
Luckily, he now does understand about taking turns and getting off rides when his turn is over. And he understands this by the way that we have consistently tried to follow rules with him. We did have to physically remove him when he was younger and smaller. But he has learned, because of consistency, what is expected. All I meant is that it would be very hard for me to have to physically remove him if I had to because he is so strong now. My husband is in law enforcement and he does have the physical strength to do this if needed, but luckily it's not needed any more.
">>>Special needs accommodations (except for Make A Wish) do not include re-rides upon request."
We have never requested re-rides for our son. There have often been some well-meaning CMs that have offered this as an option and, quite honestly, that has caused confusion for our son. He would look at the situation as, well, I didn't want to get off last time and they let me ride again so why can't I this time. We always stuck to the one time policy and thanked the CM. A few times when he was younger we have required a little extra time to get him off a ride and for that we have always apologized. Other than that, I don't know what we should have done.
">>>If you want your primary activity at Disney to be enjoying Disney, commando style or otherwise, arrange for child care at home and go solo or with your spouse."
This is the comment that made me really feel as though you did not like my post or had an issue with me. Why should my child have to stay home from Disney simply because he is learning some of the rules and learning some etiquette issues even if he is probably learning those issues a little slower than others? Disney World is for families. I can't imagine going and leaving one of my four children at home.
I'm curious as to whether or not you have a special needs child or have just observed situations? Every family is different. Every child is different. And everyone has to handle their situations differently and in a way that is best for their family. What works for one family may not work for another. By posting on this forum I was just trying to relate our experiences to other families with special needs children. And I was trying to encourage the original posters (since my child is a little older than theirs) so that they would know that things do get better; a combination of your child learning and your own learning of the best ways to handle situations.
I apologize that this is so long but I had to get my feelings out. I'm sure I will get flamed for this but I feel that my post, and others, were taken wrong and unfairly attacked. Being flamed is a risk I'm willing to take.
No, only time in the summer we can. DS has ESY (extended school year) through the first two weeks in August, so when he is done, we are out of here!
