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Went to Seaworld with difficult child's and lived to tell about it... sort of.
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<blockquote data-quote="Andy" data-source="post: 186122" data-attributes="member: 5096"><p>Sea World sounds like fun. Some day I hope to get to one.</p><p> </p><p>I know how frustrating it is to have a nice vacation planned only to have our difficult child not really able to enjoy it but to add stress to everything. Then when difficult child and easy child start at each other I feel like screaming, "Will you two just shut your mouths and act civil?" Why can they not just enjoy? Especially when it is for them?</p><p> </p><p>I am starting to see that many activities that we believe are for kids actually create stress for difficult child. My difficult child has anxiety - he doesn't know why he feels anxious, he just does which ruins many trips for us - even those he looks forward to.</p><p> </p><p>Standing in line for so long is the worse. It causes boredom which sets off the anxiety for my guy. If you do have someone that can take him out of the line and keep him busy until it is almost your turn, that would be best. If you take him out of the line after he has disturbed someone, those around will be more understanding of why you are getting in line at the last minute while they had to wait. They should feel grateful that you did sol (and if they complain offer them the opportunity to stand in line with him on the next ride. Or just follow them to the next ride and stand in line long enough for him to bother them making a comment, people will get angry if I don't make him stand in line for the ride. I hope he isn't bothering you too much.) However, if you don't have another person to help with this, maybe the ride will have to wait until another visit. Which might be a sacrifice for you if it was one you really wanted to go on. You need to decide if it is worth it or not.</p><p> </p><p>I have a tendency to "jam fun" down my kids' throat. "But you will like this. This is for you!" I am learning to stop forcing the things I know they would like and slowing down the pace to read their cues. If the weekend is truly for difficult child, we let him choose the activity. </p><p> </p><p>I think the late lunch also contributed. My difficult child can not handle late lunches. He has to eat something, even if it is a hot dog or bowl of mac & cheese. We did this on Sunday - we knew we would have a late lunch so we bought a small meal for difficult child at 11:30.</p><p> </p><p>I stay away from junk foods as much as possible which is extremely difficult in places like Sea World with fast food vendors and vending machines. Everything is so expensive but fruit is a better long range snack than chips or even cookies. I think even an ice cream cone may be healthier than a candy bar? I do my best to choose the healthiest of whatever is available.</p><p> </p><p>Weather also contributes. difficult child gets dehydrated easily and the sun bothers him so beveridges (water/gaterade) and shade helps. Kids need breaks.</p><p> </p><p>We just came home from an extremely busy vacation. However, for the most part, we did everything at difficult child's pace. With no other kids with, it is so much easier to do. I sacrifice a lot of what I want to do. If there is something I really can't stand missing, then difficult child goes off with sister in law, brother in law, or husband and we meet up at a certain time and place. </p><p> </p><p>I am glad you survived.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Andy, post: 186122, member: 5096"] Sea World sounds like fun. Some day I hope to get to one. I know how frustrating it is to have a nice vacation planned only to have our difficult child not really able to enjoy it but to add stress to everything. Then when difficult child and easy child start at each other I feel like screaming, "Will you two just shut your mouths and act civil?" Why can they not just enjoy? Especially when it is for them? I am starting to see that many activities that we believe are for kids actually create stress for difficult child. My difficult child has anxiety - he doesn't know why he feels anxious, he just does which ruins many trips for us - even those he looks forward to. Standing in line for so long is the worse. It causes boredom which sets off the anxiety for my guy. If you do have someone that can take him out of the line and keep him busy until it is almost your turn, that would be best. If you take him out of the line after he has disturbed someone, those around will be more understanding of why you are getting in line at the last minute while they had to wait. They should feel grateful that you did sol (and if they complain offer them the opportunity to stand in line with him on the next ride. Or just follow them to the next ride and stand in line long enough for him to bother them making a comment, people will get angry if I don't make him stand in line for the ride. I hope he isn't bothering you too much.) However, if you don't have another person to help with this, maybe the ride will have to wait until another visit. Which might be a sacrifice for you if it was one you really wanted to go on. You need to decide if it is worth it or not. I have a tendency to "jam fun" down my kids' throat. "But you will like this. This is for you!" I am learning to stop forcing the things I know they would like and slowing down the pace to read their cues. If the weekend is truly for difficult child, we let him choose the activity. I think the late lunch also contributed. My difficult child can not handle late lunches. He has to eat something, even if it is a hot dog or bowl of mac & cheese. We did this on Sunday - we knew we would have a late lunch so we bought a small meal for difficult child at 11:30. I stay away from junk foods as much as possible which is extremely difficult in places like Sea World with fast food vendors and vending machines. Everything is so expensive but fruit is a better long range snack than chips or even cookies. I think even an ice cream cone may be healthier than a candy bar? I do my best to choose the healthiest of whatever is available. Weather also contributes. difficult child gets dehydrated easily and the sun bothers him so beveridges (water/gaterade) and shade helps. Kids need breaks. We just came home from an extremely busy vacation. However, for the most part, we did everything at difficult child's pace. With no other kids with, it is so much easier to do. I sacrifice a lot of what I want to do. If there is something I really can't stand missing, then difficult child goes off with sister in law, brother in law, or husband and we meet up at a certain time and place. I am glad you survived. [/QUOTE]
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Went to Seaworld with difficult child's and lived to tell about it... sort of.
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